Because of the injured thumb, Brzoza was forced to switch from center to guard and the Steelers subsequently released Brzoza on August 7, 1978, shortly after training camp began.
Cindrich threatened to sue for damages and after months of negotiating-and one-on-one meeting between Cindrich and Steelers owner Art Rooney-the two sides reached a settlement in early March 1979: "We're still friends," Cindrich told reporters.