Marcus Mariota: Roger Goodell called to apologize for draft name slip-up

Tennessee Titans first-round pick Marcus Mariota said on Monday that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell called him to apologize for mispronouncing his name while announcing his selection at the draft on Thursday.

Tennessee Titans first-round pick Marcus Mariota said on Monday that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell called him to apologize for mispronouncing his name while announcing his selection at the draft on Thursday.

Upon hearing Goodell pronounce the No. 2 pick's name as "Marioto," fans and viewers piled on the commissioner for the mistake.

Speaking Monday on 104.5 The Zone in Nashville, Tenn., Mariota said he did not hear Goodell's mispronunciation at the draft. The former Oregon quarterback was long projected to be the draft's second pick behind former Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston, who went to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with the top pick as expected.

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Mariota, the defending Heisman Trophy winner, also addressed Goodell's error shortly after being drafted, though those comments might have flown under the radar during an especially busy sports weekend.

"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," he said, according to the Associated Press.

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Mariota did not attend the draft in Chicago, instead watching on TV from a party in his native Hawaii.

- Mike Fiammetta