NFL commissioner Roger Goodell says the league and the union will get a handle on transgressions.
BY BOB GLAUBER
Newsday Staff Correspondent
February 2, 2007, 8:54 PM EST
MIAMI -- Enough is enough.
That's the message from first-year commissioner Roger Goodell in response to the spate of arrests and violent behavior marring the NFL in recent years, especially in 2006, when nine players from one team alone -- the Bengals -- were arrested on a variety of charges.
On New Year's Day, Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams was shot to death after an argument at a Denver nightclub.
"We have to do something about it," Goodell said Friday during his state of the game speech. "It's a mutually important issue. We have to educate our players to the issues out there. We are raised to a higher standard in the NFL. We must make sure the players are more accountable and our clubs are more accountable."
Goodell said he and NFL Players Association executive director Gene Upshaw will meet with players "to gauge their perspective on what is really happening."
In addition to the Williams shooting and the Bengals' arrests, Bears defensive tackle Tank Johnson faces weapons-related charges and needed permission from an Illinois judge to travel to the Super Bowl. In addition, Johnson's bodyguard was killed in a shooting in a Chicago bar in December.
"I don't see it [criminal behavior] happening in droves," Goodell said. "I think it's just a few, but that's a few too many. We recognize some players don't do what we want them to do and when that happens, we have the means to deal with it."
Goodell addressed several other issues:
Responding to published reports that former Patriots linebacker Ted Johnson was ordered to practice by coach Bill Belichick shortly after suffering a concussion, Goodell said, "I certainly hope that our coaches always are looking out for the medical well-being of the players." He did not comment specifically on Ted Johnson's situation, citing a lack of information.
He said the NFL and NFLPA would look into further enhancement of the league's pension and benefits programs for retired players. Several prominent former players, including Mike Ditka, criticized the NFL for failing to address the situation adequately. "We have spent an extraordinary amount of money in pension and benefits," Goodell said. "I think our owners are funding over $126 million a year to former players, and I think that's an extraordinary effort. I think we have to re-evaluate to see what we can do more to address the issues and we'll do that."
He stressed a continued commitment to keeping illegal performance-enhancing drugs out of the sport. He also said that not allowing players who are suspended under the substance-abuse policy to earn postseason awards is "a huge priority for us." Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman, who was suspended four games for violating the league's steroids policy, made the All Pro team and will play in the Pro Bowl next weekend.
Goodell said the league is moving in a positive direction regarding minority hiring. Tony Dungy and Lovie Smith are the first two black head coaches in the Super Bowl, and Mike Tomlin became the first African-American head coach of the Steelers two weeks ago.
Goodell expressed optimism that the current collective-bargaining agreement will remain effective over the next several years. Both the players and the owners have the option to void the current deal in 2008. Some small-market owners complain that the system hurts them because they have to spend too much on player salaries.
Copyright 2007 Newsday Inc.
BY BOB GLAUBER
Newsday Staff Correspondent
February 2, 2007, 8:54 PM EST
MIAMI -- Enough is enough.
That's the message from first-year commissioner Roger Goodell in response to the spate of arrests and violent behavior marring the NFL in recent years, especially in 2006, when nine players from one team alone -- the Bengals -- were arrested on a variety of charges.
On New Year's Day, Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams was shot to death after an argument at a Denver nightclub.
"We have to do something about it," Goodell said Friday during his state of the game speech. "It's a mutually important issue. We have to educate our players to the issues out there. We are raised to a higher standard in the NFL. We must make sure the players are more accountable and our clubs are more accountable."
Goodell said he and NFL Players Association executive director Gene Upshaw will meet with players "to gauge their perspective on what is really happening."
In addition to the Williams shooting and the Bengals' arrests, Bears defensive tackle Tank Johnson faces weapons-related charges and needed permission from an Illinois judge to travel to the Super Bowl. In addition, Johnson's bodyguard was killed in a shooting in a Chicago bar in December.
"I don't see it [criminal behavior] happening in droves," Goodell said. "I think it's just a few, but that's a few too many. We recognize some players don't do what we want them to do and when that happens, we have the means to deal with it."
Goodell addressed several other issues:
Responding to published reports that former Patriots linebacker Ted Johnson was ordered to practice by coach Bill Belichick shortly after suffering a concussion, Goodell said, "I certainly hope that our coaches always are looking out for the medical well-being of the players." He did not comment specifically on Ted Johnson's situation, citing a lack of information.
He said the NFL and NFLPA would look into further enhancement of the league's pension and benefits programs for retired players. Several prominent former players, including Mike Ditka, criticized the NFL for failing to address the situation adequately. "We have spent an extraordinary amount of money in pension and benefits," Goodell said. "I think our owners are funding over $126 million a year to former players, and I think that's an extraordinary effort. I think we have to re-evaluate to see what we can do more to address the issues and we'll do that."
He stressed a continued commitment to keeping illegal performance-enhancing drugs out of the sport. He also said that not allowing players who are suspended under the substance-abuse policy to earn postseason awards is "a huge priority for us." Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman, who was suspended four games for violating the league's steroids policy, made the All Pro team and will play in the Pro Bowl next weekend.
Goodell said the league is moving in a positive direction regarding minority hiring. Tony Dungy and Lovie Smith are the first two black head coaches in the Super Bowl, and Mike Tomlin became the first African-American head coach of the Steelers two weeks ago.
Goodell expressed optimism that the current collective-bargaining agreement will remain effective over the next several years. Both the players and the owners have the option to void the current deal in 2008. Some small-market owners complain that the system hurts them because they have to spend too much on player salaries.
Copyright 2007 Newsday Inc.
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