F Y I

[Roger Goodell]

Q&A: Goodell pleased, confident about NFL's direction

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/footb...-goodell_N.htm

By Bob McManaman, The Arizona Republic
He is the man behind the shield, the caretaker of the most successful professional sports league in the nation, and when Super Bowl XLII kicks off next Sunday in Glendale, Ariz., NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell will be enjoying it just like the rest of the country.
Now in his third calendar year as commissioner, Goodell recently spoke with The Republic from league headquarters in New York and discussed a variety of topics, including the league's collective-bargaining agreement and the accomplishments and frailties of some of today's top NFL stars.
His is a pressure-filled job with consuming responsibilities, but he takes on the challenge just the way his father, Charles Goodell, a former U.S. representative and senator from New York, did during his political career.
The elder Goodell, who was appointed as a Republican to the U.S. Senate to fill the un-expired term of the assassinated Robert F. Kennedy, was a resilient force. He made headlines by calling on the House of Representatives to impeach President Nixon for illegally expanding the Vietnam War and entering the sovereign territory of a neutral nation.
Roger Goodell has thrived on his own such convictions, whether it has been dealing harshly with players for improper conduct, doling out an unprecedented penalty to the New England Patriots for illegal videotaping of an opponent's sideline, or ushering in a new generation of the NFL brand on international marketplaces.
Q: A week away from the Super Bowl, what are your thoughts on the 2007 season and how does this matchup between the Patriots and Giants look to you?
A: "When I think of the 2007 season, and I think a lot of people are saying this, it may have been one of the greatest seasons in NFL history. The competitiveness of the play, the quality of the play, the excitement that was generated by the players and coaches and clubs. I think this has been really an extraordinary year for our fans, which is what we're doing and what we're in business for.
"I just got a note today that we were 13 of the top 15 television shows of the entire 2007-2008 television season, which is extraordinary. I think everything indicates it's been an incredible season and it's captured the fans' imagination.
"As far as the matchup goes, I think it's great. What a terrific matchup when you have a team that's already achieved unprecedented success with 18 wins and no losses, trying to complete an undefeated season against a team that started 0-2 and has really come together and played so well on the road."
Q: Can Arizona, hosting its second Super Bowl, expect more in the future and possibly even be placed into a Super Bowl rotation?
A: "Well, we don't have an official Super Bowl rotation, but I think everyone believes that their experience back in '96 in Arizona was a terrific experience. The only negative at that point in time was really the stadium issue and that has since been addressed. It's a first-class stadium and one that we're excited about having the Super Bowl in and so I think as we look forward, there's a great opportunity for Arizona to have future Super Bowls."
Q: What impact do you think football has had on the nation over the years?
A: "It's very unique. I've often said I don't think there's anything that brings a community together like football. And I think that's particularly evident on Super Bowl Sunday, when it really becomes an unofficial holiday and everyone gathers around their television sets and is intrigued and participates in something that really brings everyone together and entertains everyone. I think that's a wonderful thing and we're proud of that and the emotional aspect of getting the fans so engaged in our game is what we're all trying to accomplish."
Q: Several U.S. presidents have said that after their first year or two in office, they realized their job was a lot different than they expected. You've been inside the NFL operations for a quarter-century now. Have you found your job is a lot different from what you expected?
A: "I don't think so. I've spent close to 25 years before becoming commissioner in this office and I think I understood the job, I understood the responsibility. I would probably say the one aspect that you can't ever fully appreciate until you get the job is the awesome responsibility that comes with it in the sense that you know how important the National Football League is to all of our fans and you recognize you have a great deal of responsibility to them, and to the clubs and the players and everyone associated with the league."
Q: Can you talk about the challenges that lie ahead for you and the league, and specifically, the collective bargaining agreement and the likelihood there will be a decision to reopen it on Nov. 8? Is that going to command most of your attention in the coming months?
A: "Yes it does. Our single priority here is really to keep the fans focused on the game and the great accomplishments on the field and to handle all those business issues that certainly arise when you're running a league like the National Football League and try to deal with those quietly and effectively, and don't take away from those great performances. ... Labor has been very much a quiet focus for us. We've had a tremendous number of meetings, both internally with our people, with our committees and our membership, and also with the union to make sure we deal with that effectively, because it's important to the players, it's important to the league and it's important to all of our fans. We know how important that is and we trust that we will deal with that effectively."
Q: How realistic is it that a Super Bowl may be played outside of the United States at some point?
A: "I don't know. That's a decision that ultimately the ownership has to make. I know there's interest on behalf of other cities in hosting the Super Bowl, internationally, and I think that's something the membership will at least be presented with by those cities. But that's a decision that ultimately will be made by the ownership on the basis of 32 votes, as you know."
Q: Do we, as a nation, need to do a better job of keeping professional athletes and their performances in the proper perspective?
A: "Well, our society probably has a tendency to overreact to a lot of things, but I think they find the achievements of individual athletes and teams inspiring and I think one of the things that makes the NFL unique is the team performances, the ability of a group of young men to come together and achieve a collective goal is really very inspiring to fans. That's something our fans do take away from the NFL that I think makes it special.
"As far as individual players, I think they have to recognize these individuals are great athletes, superior performers, and they also are young individuals and some of them make mistakes. That is going to happen, but we all make mistakes in life, and I think our group of players, we're extremely proud of them because they're doing some great things on and off the field."
Q: You talk about inspiring. How much did your father inspire you throughout your life, including the present day?
A: "I am a very fortunate person because a lot of people have inspired me and have had great influences on me. And that starts with my parents, both my mother and father, plus four brothers and just a lot of close relatives and friends and mentors, including (former NFL commissioners) Pete Rozelle and Paul Tagliabue.
"None of us get to where we are alone and that's clearly the case with Roger Goodell. My father was obviously a very inspiring figure to me for what he did in his career and the fact he pursued what he felt was right. .. regardless of the personal consequences to him. I always remember that. He followed his passion, he loved his passion, he did what he felt was right, even though he knew it might be the end of his career in politics."
Q: What is some of the best advice you have received since you've been on the job?
A: "Well, I don't know if it was really on the job. I've always believed you have to tackle your issues head on and you have to try and stay ahead of the issues, that you don't let the issues dictate how you operate. You have to anticipate the challenges ahead and the opportunities ahead and try to take advantage of those.
"That, and be innovative and listen.. .. I think one of the biggest lessons I've always learned from being in the National Football League is that there are a lot of perspectives. We have a lot of people who care very deeply about the NFL, not just owners and management and players, but fans and business partners that all bring an interesting perspective and, if you listen clearly, they can help you find a better solution to the challenges ahead."

[HarpoonIPA]

[patsin°°]

MY GOOD BUD YOUR BACK

I THOUGHT THEY ASSCL YOU

DID U KNOW MEPATNUT HASNT POSTED SINCE YOU KILLED HIM?

AND EVERYONES GONE PARANOID


F U

[Alco]

Have that Lombardi nice and polished up for us this sunday Roger.

[patsin°°]

alco, this man has changed lives....

he led the nation for a questionare of nov 8th i think it was

[patsin°°]

ps roger, hows the assistants? what was that hot girls name again whose life we ruined? she still locked in the bathroom

[Ras]

GFY Goodell!

[Roger Goodell]

Originally posted by patriotswin4me on 01-29-2008 at 06:08 PM

Nice Garfield Avatar you once had you looser

Originally posted by patsin°° on 01-29-2008 at 06:11 PM
MY GOOD BUD YOUR BACK

I THOUGHT THEY ASSCL YOU

DID U KNOW MEPATNUT HASNT POSTED SINCE YOU KILLED HIM?

AND EVERYONES GONE PARANOID


F U

So you thought I was put to rest, shouldn’t you be studying for your learners permit?

And MEPATSNUT was Paranoid before I ever got to him

[patsin°°]

Originally posted by Roger Goodell on 01-29-2008 at 06:26 PM
Nice Garfield Avatar you once had you looser



So you thought I was put to rest, shouldn�t you be studying for your learners permit?

And MEPATSNUT was Paranoid before I ever got to him

O i got the learners permit


when did they let you out of the kiddie corner?

[Roger Goodell]

Originally posted by patsin°° on 01-29-2008 at 06:27 PM
O i got the learners permit


when did they let you out of the kiddie corner?

You can’t handle the truth,

I never left, and we will leave it at that…

[patsin°°]

Originally posted by Roger Goodell on 01-29-2008 at 06:30 PM
You can�t handle the truth,

I never left, and we will leave it at that�

Good to know. How's the secretary doing? You fire her for not being able to get the job done? PS- Wheres the nuddy wife pics?

[Roger Goodell]

Originally posted by patsin°° on 01-29-2008 at 06:31 PM
Good to know. How's the secretary doing? You fire her for not being able to get the job done? PS- Wheres the nuddy wife pics?

I’m going to let you in on a little secret our paths have crossed many times over many months here at the planet. I remember one time having a conversation with you as you were waiting for your very late pizza delivery. ;)

[patsin°°]

Originally posted by Roger Goodell on 01-29-2008 at 06:37 PM
I�m going to let you in on a little secret our paths have crossed many times over many months here at the planet. I remember one time having a conversation with you as you were waiting for your very late pizza delivery. ;)

Wait so are you actually a pats fan? That'd be pretty cool. Like I know MEPATNUT has an alias, is this just another joke? Like maybe your p4e or something?! Or maybe Patsfanlisa, you both joined very close days.

[Roger Goodell]

Originally posted by patsin°° on 01-29-2008 at 06:44 PM
Wait so are you actually a pats fan? That'd be pretty cool. Like I know MEPATNUT has an alias, is this just another joke? Like maybe your p4e or something?! Or maybe Patsfanlisa, you both joined very close days.

I think I started the paranoid movement but most likely not ;)

[patsin°°]

Originally posted by Roger Goodell on 01-29-2008 at 06:47 PM
I think I started the paranoid movement but most likely not ;)

Your either patswin4me or you are patsfanlisa. but both of those two have been nice to me. So if your either one of them, i like you