Roger Goodell comments on Drew Brees, HGH and Olympics
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell joined guest host Mike Florio to talk about the big issues around the League.
Florio asked Goodell if he wants football into the Olympics. “Absolutely,” Goodell said. “We’re already taking steps to get IOC recognition.” Goodell said 64 countries play the sport now and it’s still growing.
Florio asked if he’s talked to Drew Brees yet since the Saints QB criticized him. “I haven’t,” Goodell said.
Florio followed up and asked if he wants to talk to Brees. “Sure if I see him,” Goodell said. “I’d be happy too … I really admire Drew. He’s a terrific young man.”
Goodell commented on how he felt about Brees’ statement that players don’t trust him. “My responsibility is the game of football,” Goodell said. “You have to continue to do what’s best for the game and hte integrity of the game. Those [decisions] aren’t always going to be popular.”
Goodell talked about why they don’t have an HGH program. He said they’re still working on answering the NFLPA’s concerns. “We’re not going to do it just to say we have a program,” Goodell Said. “It’s got to have integrity.”
Goodell talked about Mike Pereira saying on our show that he’s very concerned about replacement officials. Goodell said Pereira supervised replacement officials back in 2001, so he should know it can work.
Florio talked about touring training camps with John Madden. Goodell said it’s great because he loves talking football with John. And they get to go to camps and talk to people. He said you get so much more when you talk to players and coaches. Goodell said he’s also touring to work on a helmet replacement program. His goal is to make sure young players aren’t using helmets that are older than 10 years.