Turns out there is crying in football.

After the NFL player representatives unanimously approved the new collective bargaining agreement on Monday, both sides came together on the steps of the NFLPA offices in Washington, D.C.

In an emotional end to an emotional issue, Indianapolis Colts center Jeff Saturday, one of the key players involved in the talks, specifically thanked New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft whose wife Myra died last week.

“... a special thanks to Myra Kraft who even in her weakest moment allowed Mr. Kraft to come and fight this out and without him this deal does not get done. I don’t want to be climactic in any way, but he is a man who helped us save football and we are so gracious for that.

“We’re gracious for his family and for the opportunity he presented to get this deal done,’’ Saturday said.

And then they hugged.

What made the scene special was that the Colts and Patriots are bitter rivals, but for a moment that was all forgotten.

(Follow me on Twitter @PaulaPasche.)