NFL commissioner struggles with Mariota's name

Winning a Heisman Trophy and playing in the national championship game should be enough for everyone to know how to pronounce Marcus Mariota's name by now.

Winning a Heisman Trophy and playing in the national championship game should be enough for everyone to know how to pronounce Marcus Mariota's name by now.

Well, almost everybody.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell struggled with the pronunciation Thursday when announcing Mariota as the No. 2 pick overall by the Tennessee Titans, going with ''Mario-toe.'' It's pronounced Mario-tah. Goodell also bobbled Oregon, going with Ora-gone.

Not that Mariota noticed.

''I didn't even hear it because I was on the phone, but I'm sure my parents will talk to me about that later,'' said Mariota, who watched the draft at a party in his native Hawaii.

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