Goodell talks relocation, rule changes, player safety at press conference
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell held his annual state-of-the-league press conference on Friday, and discussed topics like player safety, relocation, marijuana and equal pay for cheerleaders.
The only real policy recommendation Goodell made was related to personal foul penalties.
“I believe the league should pursue a policy where if there are two personal fouls in a game, there's an automatic ejection of a player,” Goodell said. “I believe that that's consistent with what we believe are the safety issues, but I also believe it's consistent with what we believe are the standards of sportsmanship that we've emphasized.”
Such a rule is already in place in the NCAA.
Here are some of the notable things Goodell said in his address and subsequent Q&A with the media.
Player safety
• The NFL has been focused on concussions “for several decades.”
• On the risks of football: “There’s risks in life. There’s risks sitting on the couch.”
• Regarding high school football deaths: “Any time you have ... loss of life, that’s tragic.” he said, before turning the focus to better coaching and technique.
• He does not differentiate between the medical use and recreational use of marijuana among players. “We have had discussions with [NFL medical personnel] in the past about that. Not recently,” he said.
New personal foul penalties
• In light of the Odell Beckham-Josh Norman altercation, Goodell will pursue a policy of implementing an automatic ejection for a player committing two personal fouls in a game.
Relocation
• “There was a process in St. Louis which was detailed in their lease ... The 32 clubs made that judgment,” he said in regards to the Rams’ move. They met relocation guidelines.
Deflategate
Josh Gordon
• He is hopeful Gordon understands he “is going to have to conduct himself differently going forward.” The NFL has received his reinstatement letter.
