Giants' Marshall to NFL owners: 'Our relationship could be so much better'

Brandon Marshall knows there are problems between the NFL and its players, and he's ready to do something about it.

The New York Giants receiver spoke to the NFL's owners on Monday at league meetings to help with player relations, relaying the message that "our relationship could be so much better," according to ESPN's Kevin Seifert.

Marshall, a known mental health advocate, has been at the forefront of bridging the gap between the league and players, pushing for the highly-successful "My Cause My Cleats" campaign last season.

"(My Cause My Cleats) gave the world and our fans in the NFL the opportunity to see that we are people and we're not just gladiators," Marshall told reporters after giving his speech. "And it humanized us. It not only gave people outside of the game the opportunity to see who we really are but also the owners and executives and even players.

"We want to continue to get more of that. If we want our game to continue to be on that track, that it's on being super successful and being a pillar in our community, and being a thread in our community, we have to make sure our relationship as players and owners is good."

Marshall has been received well by owners as his own boss, John Mara, said the veteran has been a "spark" to his new team, while San Francisco 49ers owner Jed York commended him on his words Monday.