Goodell: NFL can’t rest on progress in diversity
PHOENIX — From diversity to concussions, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell reiterated the league is still looking for improvement.
As for officiating?
“It’s never been better,” he said.
Goodell addressed those topics and more Wednesday during his annual Super Bowl week news conference. The Kansas City Chiefs (16-3) and the Philadelphia Eagles (16-3) meet at 6:30 p.m. Sunday at State Farm Stadium in nearby Glendale, with Fox televising the title matchup.
Diversity came up during Goodell’s question-and-answer session.
DeMeco Ryans became the third Black head coach currently in the league when the Houston Texan recently hired their former Pro Bowl linebacker, who spent the past six seasons as an assistant for the San Francisco 49ers, the last two as defensive coordinator. Ryans joined Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Todd Bowles of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as Black head coaches. There are three other minority head coaches, including Mike McDaniel of the Miami Dolphins, who has a Black father and identifies as biracial.
Also, the Tennessee Titans hired Ran Carthon, the league’s eighth current general manager who is black and the ninth person of color overall currently working as a GM.
“I still feel like there’s better work and more work ahead of us,” Goodell said. “I think there’s progress and we’re pleased to see progress, but there’s never enough. We look to see how we can make things better.”
Player safety is always a hot topic in the NFL. Concussions were magnified and the league revised its protocols during the season after criticism for the way Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s head injuries were handled.
The NFL announced last week that concussions had increased by 18% during the regular season. Goodell attributed the rise to the updated diagnostic measures.
“I think that’s a reason why concussions went up this year, because we had a broader definition,” Goodell said. “If you have more evaluations, you’re going to have more concussions. Any time we can change the protocols to make it safer for our players, we’re going to do that. We’re not afraid of having them diagnosed. That’s important to us and why we encourage players to come forward when they have symptoms, so we can make sure they are handled properly.”
Overall, Goodell said injuries are down 6% this season. He said injuries for Thursday games and for the additional Week 18 games are no different than any other time during the season.
“You want to take the head out of the game,” Goodell said. “You’re always going to have contacts that are not intended, so that’s why we have protections, but ultimately you want to have rules that are avoiding the techniques that lead to these kinds of injuries.”
DeMaurice Smith, executive director of the NFL Players Association, pointed out the league and the players’
“I still feel like there’s better work and more work ahead of us. I think there’s progress and we’re pleased to see progress, but there’s never enough. We look to see how we can make things better.”
— NFL COMMISSIONER ROGER GOODELL
union have, since 2009, instituted return-to-play protocols, brought in sideline concussion experts, revamped health and safety standards and made it a requirement for team doctors to comply with all federal and state guidelines.
“This has been a relentless effort to constantly improve safety,” Smith said.
And while Goodell spoke highly of officiating, it has also been highly scrutinized by outside observers, especially in the playoffs. There was heavy criticism early in the season regarding penalties for roughing the passer.
“When you look at officiating, I don’t think it’s ever been better in the league,” Goodell said. “There are over 42,000 plays in a season and multiple infractions could occur on any play. Take that out, extrapolate that. That’s hundreds, if not millions, of potential fouls. Our officials do an extraordinary job of getting those.
“Are there mistakes in the context of that? Yes. They are not perfect, and officiating never will (be).”
On other topics:
› Goodell said there’s no timeline for Mary Jo White to complete her ongoing investigation into allegations of misconduct by Washington Commanders owner Daniel Snyder. Goodell has said the report will be made public.
In early November, Snyder and his wife Tanya hired a firm to explore possible transactions related to the franchise, so it’s possible the team will be sold.
“The Commanders are under a process. That’s their process,” Goodell said. “Ultimately, if they reach a conclusion and have someone joining the ownership group or buying the team, that’s something the ownership will look at.”
› Goodell said Monday night games will be subject next season to flex scheduling, in which games are substituted . He added it’s possible Thursday night games also could be flexed at some point in the future.
› The NFL played its first regular-season game in Germany this season, and five teams will play home games in Germany and London in 2023. The league will return to Mexico in 2024 after stadium renovation.
Honor for Hamlin
Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin made a brief appearance Wednesday at the Phoenix Convention Center to receive the NFLPA’s Alan Page Community Award.
The honor came a little more than a month after he went into cardiac arrest during a road game against the Cincinnati Bengals and needed to be resuscitated on the field.
“One of my favorite quotes: It’s a blessing to be a blessing,” Hamlin said, reading from a brief statement with his parents on stage with him. “With that being said, I plan to never take this position for granted and always have an urgent approach to making a difference in the community where I come from and also communities across the world.”
Hamlin was one of five finalists for the award, which annually recognizes one player who goes above and beyond to perform community service in his team’s city and/or hometown. His foundation received $100,000 with the award.
“He is not only an individual who has overcome a tremendous amount, he’s not only a person who reminds us just how dangerous this game is, but also the spirit, the love, the joy, the fraternity of people who play this game,” the NFLPA’s Smith said.
Hamlin’s toy drive fundraiser, Chasing M’s, received an outpouring of GoFundMe donations in the days and weeks after he collapsed and was hospitalized. The total is now more than $9 million.
“Giving back to my community has always been a part of who I am,” Hamlin said. “I’m thankful for my father, who’s right here behind me, growing up watching him doing community days in our community. I always was waiting on my time when it came.”