NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said the league is "disappointed" the Chargers are moving to L.A., adding the NFL "did some unprecedented things to try to keep the Chargers in San Diego, which was our first priority." Appearing on Fox Sports Radio's "The Herd" yesterday, Goodell said NFL relocations are "painful processes" and the league "always works to avoid that." However, he said the NFL has to "look long term and we have to ultimately make sure that we're doing what's best for each of the franchises" ("The Herd," Fox Sports Radio, 1/25).
SETTING SAIL: The Vikings yesterday announced the formation of "Vikings Women," an advisory board that will "work with team insiders to connect with and support women as fans, in their lives and as professionals inside the organization." In Minneapolis, Rochelle Olson notes Vikings VP/Legal & HR Karin Nelsen will be "central to the effort." Vikings COO Kevin Warren, who came up with the plan, said that the aim is to "more effectively include perspectives, opinions and voices of women from the community to 'positively impact the organization.'" The goals "encompass three key areas: philanthropic efforts, fan experience and support for professionals in the organization" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 1/26).
FOLLOW THE PROTOCOL: In West Palm Beach, Jason Lieser noted while Dolphins QB Matt Moore did "not suffer a concussion" in the team's Wild Card loss, the NFL and NFLPA "determined that the team did not fully follow the Concussion Protocol before sending him back into the game two plays later." The "primary issue" with the Dolphins allowing Moore to return was that its medical staff and the unaffiliated neurologist "did not recognize that he was bleeding from the mouth." Dolphins Exec VP/Football Operations Mike Tannenbaum said that Moore "hasn't raised any objection to how his situation was handled," and also "defended the doctors involved" (PALMBEACHPOST.com, 1/25).
