Email from Roger Goodell

[Vinny]

Did you guys get your Roger Goodell letter in your email today?

To NFL Fans:

The National Football League is at its best when the focus is on the players and the action on the field, not on labor negotiations.

All of us who love the sport appreciate the skills and dedication of the players and coaches. That is why we are focused not just on what happens on the field but what our game will be like in another decade or two. The NFL has always tried to look ahead, to innovate, and to constantly improve in all we do.

We recognize that some decisions may be difficult to accept in the passion of the moment, but my most important responsibility is to improve the game for this generation and the next.

I believe in accountability, not excuses. And I regret we were not able to secure an agreement sooner in the process and avoid the unfortunate distractions to the game. You deserve better.

As a lifelong fan, this wasn't an easy process for anyone involved. I particularly want to commend the replacement officials for taking on an unenviable task and doing it with focus and dedication in the most adverse of circumstances.

Our new agreement gives long-term stability to an important aspect of our game, officiating. More important, with this agreement, officiating will be better in the long run. While the financial issues received the most attention, these negotiations were much more about long-term reforms. For example, beginning with the 2013 season, the NFL will have the option of hiring a number of officials on a full-time basis to work year-round, including on the field. In addition, the NFL will have the option to retain additional officials for training and development purposes, and may assign those additional officials to work NFL games.

We are moving forward with the finest officials in sports back on the field. It's time to put the focus where it belongs – on the clubs and players and our magnificent game, with a special thanks to our fans for their passion.


Roger Goodell

[GP]

I did.

I sort of chuckled at it. Roger letting us know how much he cares for us.

He says he believes in accountability, not excuses. Then he should have the Green Bay - Seattle decision reversed in the best interest of the game that he says he loves.

A one-time reversal, due to an extraordinary circumstance (replacement referees failing to make quality calls at the end of a game) should be allowable. It doesn't have to lead to more teams wanting decisions reversed, just make the GB-Seattle decision the real way of showing that you, as a commissioner, are regretful for the referee lockout. It would go MUCH further with all NFL fans than a token email on a Friday morning.

And let's face it, had it not been for that huge blunder in the MNF game, we'd be looking at replacement refs for TNF and all this weekend's game. And beyond. The stars aligned AGAINST Roger Goodell and he had to come in to alignment himself. Otherwise, there would have been no quickie settlement IMO.

I can tolerate his handling of safety (the rules changes on hits) but the way he tried to strong-arm the real refs is a major fault in my eyes.

[Playoffs]

Too many people are putting this referee standoff on Goodell,

It's the owners who are to blame for the standoff & negotiations.

[Double Barrel]

Well, that certainly makes me feel better about absolutely nothing...

[RazorOye]

I got it, too.

Zero substance. The guy is an inflated suit.

Equivocating, vague, self-important, tone deaf politician who doesn't give his audience (voters/viewers) enough credit.

What a farce of a commissioner.

[TackHammer]

I treat those e-mails like spam.......delete.

[mattieuk]

Originally Posted by Playoffs

Too many people are putting this referee standoff on Goodell,

Spot on there!

The commissioner's job in this instance is to try and maximise owner profit without affecting profitability or league integrity. The last week it was obvious that something had to give or start risking the loss of viewership, so the ownership gave him the power to finish the deal without the hardline restrictions that he had on him before. The deal does seem to be a middle ground deal for both parties, so it does seem that the owners were digging their heals in whilst the referees were willing to compromise on their demands.