NFL players return to work, fighting in court

The NFL opened its doors for some basic football operations Friday morning, four days after a federal judge declared its 45-day lockout was illegal. There were smiles, high-fives and clear signs of relief as dozens of players returned to team headquarters.

"From the players' standpoint, I think everybody is pleased we're not locked out anymore, especially the rookies," Patriots quarterback Tom Brady said on CNBC in his first public comments about the dispute since he became one of the 10 plaintiffs in the federal antitrust lawsuit still pending against the NFL.

Players from Seattle to New York warmly greeted a little bit of normalcy in the most unusual offseason in league history, fully aware that it might not last very long.

Despite the halting steps toward football, the legal fight is far from over. Attorneys for the players filed a brief Friday to challenge the NFL's request that the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Louis restore the lockout as soon as possible.