Questionable choice of words
HOUSTON — A Patriots fan had his chance at Roger Goodell. He didn’t take it.
There was a fan forum with the NFL commissioner, Eli Manning, Larry Fitzgerald and Greg Olsen yesterday with some Texans season ticket-holders and a smattering of others on hand in a small venue for a question-and-answer session.
A Pats fan received the mic: Deflategate? Spygate? Nah.
The fan instead had a question for Manning — seated right next to Goodell for an image Pats fans would surely adore — that had to do with any advice he might have for Tom Brady going into tomorrow’s game.
“I don’t think Tom or Matt (Ryan) need any advice from me,” Manning said. “I think both those guys got it figured out and both those guys are MVP candidates.”
The most interesting questions asked still had Patriots relevance, related to a pair of collective bargaining issues: the future of marijuana use in the NFL and the commissioner’s disciplinary powers.
Goodell indicated he was open to a revision of disciplinary power but was steadfast that outsourcing it to a third party that wasn’t a stakeholder was not an option.
Olsen, who noted there are gray areas, said players also have to take ownership if they’re in a player-conduct violation matter.
“It doesn’t just happen to you,” Olsen said. “You play a vital role.”
Goodell said the league listens to medical advisers when it comes to marijuana usage.
“To date, those medical advisers have not recommended we change our policy,” he said.
Goodell noted he was “obviously” aware of the research being done in the medical marijuana field.
Pats defensive lineman Alan Branch was suspended four games for marijuana usage this season and then had the suspension rescinded.
Fitzgerald, who may have spoke more candidly than he intended, then noted that players are tested for recreational drugs twice a year.
“The guys that are getting caught, you’re not using common sense,” Fitzgerald said.
Asked about respecting the national anthem — a question that referenced Colin Kaepernick without specifying his name — Goodell said he encourages all players and fans to respect the flag.