FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, April 25th, 2013
NFL COMMISSIONER ROGER GOODELL ON NBC SPORTS RADIO’S UNDER CENTER WITH MCNABB AND MALONE
Quotes and audio link listed below.
For full audio of the interview, please click here.
Goodell on quarterbacks and players being exposed to big hits-
“Our rules are to protect players in a defenseless position. And there are rules to protect those defenseless players. The quarterbacks have to learn to use that protection. As an example, we have the slide. If a quarterback is running, he can slide and he cannot be touched. They have to learn to use that. We emphasize with all of our players that you have certain protections. If you don’t choose to use them, then you are going to be treated like other players. So when you are out running like a running back, you are a running back. And so you have lost that defenseless player protection.”
On the NFL’s new crown-of-the-helmet rule –
“This is something that has been studied for months by our competition committee, two or three other committees, by coaches and with player input.”
“What our coaches came back with in early March is the fact that we have to do a better job of teaching the technique of using the shoulder and getting the head out of the game. The head is not there to be used to tackle. We have to get the head to the side and use the shoulder.”
On getting nervous before the NFL Draft –
“Honestly, it is really one of the most exciting nights for me. Just to be a part of that experience when a young man, who has worked all of his life to play in the NFL, is finally selected. It’s a good moment and it is fun to be a part of it.”
