2:21 p.m.: The press conference has concluded. It was roughly 45 minutes. And it was a snoozefest, which isn’t all that surprising.
Goodell constantly pointed to the NFL’s integrity while answering questions. If there was any doubt, the NFL is a “league of rules,” according to Goodell.
2:16 p.m.: Goodell has mentioned the integrity of the NFL about 8,000 times during this press conference. And that’s a conservative figure.
Goodell said in the wake of Spygate that there would be harsher penalties and a lower threshold of a standard of proof with regards to future violations. He was just asked whether that’s still the case.
“We want the truth,” Goodell said. “That’s what I think our fans want. That’s what our clubs want. So what we want to do is make sure we find that truth.
“If there are violations of the rules, we take them seriously, particularly when they relate to the integrity of the game and the rules.”
2:13 p.m.: Goodell isn’t closing the book on anything with regards to a potential NFL franchise in London. He said the league has made progress overseas.
2:10 p.m.: Goodell was asked how much of a competitive advantage under-inflated footballs provide.
The commissioner said that if there are rules that dictate the pressure in footballs, the league is going to enforce those rules. He also said a violation could result in fines, loss of draft picks and/or suspensions depending on the findings.
Goodell said he’s more concerned about a team/player breaking the rules than whether there was a competitive advantage gained. Any violation of the rules is considered a threat to the integrity of the game.
“We have rules. We’re a league of rules.”
(Unlike other leagues?)
2:07 p.m.: Goodell said Arizona earned the opportunity to host another Super Bowl. He pointed to past experiences in Arizona as proof that it’s a great host city.
2:05 p.m.: Asked if he should take a pay cut, Goodell said it’s up to the owners.
After all, who wants to make less money? Funny question.
2:04 p.m.: Goodell was asked whether the air pressure in footballs has ever been tested during a game before the AFC Championship Game.
“I don’t know the answer to that question,” he said.
Goodell expects Ted Wells to look into the matter over the course of his DeflateGate investigation.
2 p.m.: Don’t bank on Goodell hosting press conferences every week. He said he is available to the media on a regular basis, though.
Goodell once said of Bountygate that ignorance wasn’t an excuse. He was asked if that same logic applies to DeflateGate, and Goodell responded that he won’t know until Ted Wells’ investigation is complete whether there was any wrongdoing by the Patriots.
“I want to make sure that we don’t mix issues,” Goodell said. “These are individual cases.”
“We don’t know enough in this investigation to know who was responsible or even if there was an infraction.”
1:57 p.m.: Goodell used the elliptical at the gym this morning. So there’s that.
1:54 p.m.: Goodell: “We want to make this game as safe as possible for (the players).”
1:53 p.m.: Goodell doesn’t see there being a credibility gap within the league.
“I think we have hired people who have uncompromising integrity,” Goodell said. ” … Their integrity is impeccable.”
1:52 p.m.: Goodell said the NFL would like to play more games in Mexico.
1:49 p.m.: A reporter told Goodell most in his position would be fired given the events of this year. He then asked whether he can envision resigning under any circumstances.
“No, I can’t,” Goodell said. “It’s been a tough year on me personally. It’s been a year of humility and learning.”
Goodell pointed out that the NFL is working with various organizations to raise awareness about domestic violence.
1:46 p.m.: Goodell was rather mum on Marshawn Lynch’s decision to sidestep the media this season and this week. He said no decision has been made regarding potential discipline for Lynch wearing a non-licensed hat.
“When you’re in the NFL, you have an obligation,” Goodell said. “An obligation to the fans. It is part of your job, and there are things that we have to do at our jobs that we may not want to do.”
41:40 p.m.: Welcome to the party, Bob Kravitz.
Kravitz, the reporter who broke the DeflateGate story, asked Goodell about Robert Kraft saying the league should issue an apology if it doesn’t find the Patriots guilty of any wrongdoing. Goodell explained that he has a job to do as far as carrying out the investigation.
“This is my job. This is my responsibility to respect the integrity of the team. I represent 32 teams,” Goodell said.
“If we have any information that rules were violated, I have to pursue that and I have to pursue that aggressively,” he added. “So this is my job. … We will do it vigorously, and it is important for it to be thorough and fair.”
1:37 p.m.: Goodell said the NFL is exploring two questions with regards to DeflateGate:
1. Why were footballs not in compliance with the league rules used in the AFC Championship?
2. Was this the result of deliberate action?
Goodell said no judgments have been made in DeflateGate. He said the league won’t compromise the investigation by speculating.
1:31 p.m.: Goodell opened the press conference by pointing out the NFL’s developments in player safety. He said concussions are down 25 percent this season.
1:29 p.m.: Goodell has stepped up to the podium. Away, we go!
1:15 p.m. ET: NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has some ‘splainin’ to do.
Goodell is scheduled to deliver his state of the league address Friday at 1:30 p.m. ET. It will mark Goodell’s first press conference since the DeflateGate controversy started to unravel, and it should be interesting given the number of issues the NFL has faced this season.
First, there was the Ray Rice situation, in which the former (then-current) Baltimore Ravens running back assaulted his now-wife, Janay, in an Atlantic City elevator. Then, there was the Adrian Peterson drama, in which the Minnesota Vikings running back was suspended after being indicted on child abuse charges. Now, the league is dealing with drama over the New England Patriots reportedly supplying under-inflated footballs for their AFC Championship Game against the Indianapolis Colts.
It’s been a rough year for The Shield, and Goodell understandably has taken a lot of heat for how he’s handled each situation. The integrity of the league suddenly is under attack despite the sport’s ever-growing popularity.
The commissioner delivers a state of the league address before every Super Bowl, but it often lacks intrigue because of the fluff material covered. This year’s press conference should be full of drama, all things considered.
Thumbnail photo via Tim Heitman/USA TODAY Sports Images
