One thing I have never accepted about the NFL is, after a championship game, the owner is brought to the center of the field, and given the championship trophy to raise above his head in triumph.

Actually, I don't mind that the owner gets to raise the trophy, what really bothers me is the owner raises the trophy before the players. The owner is a businessperson, period, the team a way to make money, or maybe a hobby, but by no means did the owner "win" the trophy or deserve to be treated as such. The coach even gets to raise the trophy before the players. At least the coach is a part of the team, but I think it is still condescending to the players. They are the ones that work their butts off all year, but they're third in line to hoist the trophy they put those butts on the line for.

If the owner, no, if the NFL respected the players, the owner would take a back seat, stay in the background, and let the players keep the spotlight. They've earned it.

This is an example of the NFL's extreme "wargame" mentality. The owner plays the Commander in Chief, the Coach is the General, and the players (the ones the fans actually adore and pay to see) are mere foot soldiers. (the mentality may be a microcosm for the United States)

I think the ceremony with the owner suggests more respect is given to the money that backed the sport rather than the sport itself, and for me, that's backwards.

If you want to see a trophy ceremony that respects the players and puts the sport before the money, watch the NHL Commissioner hand the Stanley Cup to the captain of the winning team, on the ice itself. The captain hoists the Cup, then hands the trophy to the rest of the team. The players take turns hoisting the Cup and show their appreciation to the fans. Where's the owner when the Stanley Cup is presented? I don't know, maybe on the ice, but I honestly wouldn't know, because the cameras aren't on the owner, the owner isn't given a stage to stand on. Most likely, the owner is in the stands or on the bench, applauding the players... respectfully.