There is a certain mythology in the dealings of the NFL. It is a meme (the original conception of such, not the ones with a stern looking shiba inu) that has been passed down from older fans and sports commentators over the course of 30 years.
In 1989, the Dallas Cowboys traded Herschel Walker to the Minnesota Vikings in a transaction also involving the San Diego Chargers, hauling in 12 players in exchange for the star running back. The whole thing was bait for a ESPN 30 For 30 Short titled “The Great Trade Robbery.