Roger Goodell Breaks His Silence; Players 'Boo' Commissioner
NEW YORK (CBSLA.com) - Roger Goodell finally spoke out for the first time in nine days about the state of the NFL in the wake of a turbulent week and a half.
Goodell has come under fire for the way he's handled several controversial issues, including Ray Rice and the now-infamous domestic-abuse incident in a casino elevator.
The commissioner began the news conference by admitting errors.
As the commissioner spoke live on networks around the country, current and former NFL players spoke their mind on twitter without any filter.
Boo this man... ????
— Sidney Rice (@sidneyrice) September 19, 2014
Many, including the National Organization for Women, one of the largest women's rights groups in the U.S., have called for Goodell to step down as commissioner.
But while he admitted the NFL's recent shortcomings started with him, here is how Goodell responded once asked whether he'd considered resigning:
""I have not," he replied. "I am focused on doing my job. We have work to do. That's my focus."
Two years ago, Goodell said ignorance is not an excuse when he suspended New Orleans Saints Head Coach Sean Peyton in the player-bounty scandal.
Can only imagine how upset Sean Payton and the New Orleans Saints must be watching Commissioner's press conference
— Troy Aikman (@TroyAikman) September 19, 2014
In the Rice case, the commissioner continued to assert that he did not see the video of Rice punching his then fiancée in the elevator when he chose to suspend the Ravens running back for just two games.
But if ignorance is not an excuse, why then did Goodell not try harder to obtain the video from the casino? "I would have loved to see that tape," Goodell told TMZ a reporter at the news conference. "Should we do more to get that information in the future? That's a question I want these experts to do."
It took only "one phone call" for TMZ to obtain the video. Can the commissioner explain that? He said: "I can't explain how you got the information."
While NFL sponsors such as Procter and Gamble are starting to distance themselves from the league, Goodell believes he has the backing of the league's 32 owners.
More players reaction on Roger Goodell's news conference:
There's around 2,000 players in the NFL. Don't let the troubled less than 1% make up the whole identity of the league.
— Gerald Sensabaugh (@Gsensabaugh43) September 19, 2014
Nfl Commish has been wrong on so many levels, so many times, but he apologize, so no harm no fool. lol
— Will Smith (@iWillSmith) September 19, 2014
He looks upset because he's unprepared
— Beanie Wells (@BeanieWells26) September 19, 2014
Goodell can say I'm sorry I messed up... Player's have go through due process... Hmmmmm
— Terrell Thomas (@TerrellThomas24) September 19, 2014
Boo this man... ????
— J.Jenkz (@JjenkzLockdown) September 19, 2014
The commissioner still didn't answer the question of " ignorance is not a excuse"
— Derrick Mason (@deemason85) September 19, 2014
What Roger just said is the exact same thing that players say when they make a mistake and plead their case
— Torrey Smith (@TorreySmithWR) September 19, 2014
????
— Flash Gordon (@JOSH_GORDONXII) September 19, 2014
