Many commenters applauded Goodell's words but are anxious to see what actions are takenGETTY IMAGES
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell's statement on Friday night was "extraordinary" because it may mean how the league operates is "forever changed," according to Nancy Armour of USA TODAY. Some of the league's "most prominent players backed Goodell into a corner" to make a statement on the social unrest and players' ability to protest. For "too long, the only voices and views in the NFL that have mattered have been those of the owners" (USA TODAY, 6/7). In Chicago, Colleen Kane noted Goodell made the "statements players said they wanted to hear" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 6/7). In Cleveland, Dan Labbe wrote the "players' mission was recognized -- with Goodell now on record when the angry tweets start again when games are played." Labbe: "Clearly, players won't stand for their league straddling the line" (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 6/6).
OPTIMISM VS. REALITY: In N.Y., Jane McManus wrote with Goodell’s “come-to-Jesus moment on racism and police violence, there is optimism and then there is reality.” The next question is “what the NFL will do.” This “isn’t a marketing problem that Jay-Z can fix" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 6/7). THE UNDEFEATED’s Jason Reid wrote, “Backed into a corner and having only one viable option,” Goodell “chose wisely.” Fritz Pollard Alliance Exec Dir Rod Graves in a text wrote, “I was struck by the depth of the commissioner’s statement.” Graves added, “It was honest and straightforward. I also believe he spoke for himself as well as the National Football League” (THEUNDEFEATED.com, 6/6). ESPN.com’s Andre Snellings went with the header, “Now That You’re Listening, Roger Goodell, Here Are Ways For NFL To Effect Change” (6/7).
STARTING POINT: In Ft. Lauderdale, Dave Hyde wrote this is a "starting point." Hyde: "He's said he’s sorry. It’s a necessary point. He said he was wrong." But what comes next "matters more." Still, it "seems to be a turning point in a league that didn't listen to all its players the last few years -- or even in a vanilla statement the last few days." More Hyde: "Apologies matter. Words matter. But what comes next matters more. Where does Goodell and the NFL take this? What will he support his players saying and doing -- and does his support matter anymore?" (South Florida SUN SENTINEL, 6/6).
KAEPERNICK NOT MENTIONED: The Washington Post's Eugene Robinson said the NFL should "say his name," referring to Colin Kaepernick. Robinson: "They should say the name of the player who was ostracized and banned from the league for taking a knee in protest" (“Meet The Press,” NBC, 6/7). ESPN's Howard Bryant said the league "engineered the end of one player's career." Bryant: "They also created an entire organization to neutralize him. The Players Coalition exists because Colin Kaepernick was kneeling" (“SportsCenter,” ESPN 6/6).In Atlanta, Mark Bradley wrote under the header, "The NFL Is Right In Admitting, 'We Were Wrong.'" Goodell's comments were "met with skepticism" by former Falcons assistant coach Terry Robiskie. Robiskie said, "Good Roger, you guys came out and admitted that you guys made a mistake, I think somewhere in there somebody should ask them what does that do for Colin Kaepernick because you cost him his career" (ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION, 6/7). Also in Atlanta, Michael Cunningham wrote Goodell's words "ring hollow because of the words he didn't say." He "did not mention" Kaepernick (ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION, 6/7).
MAKING AN IMPACT: Falcons President Rick McKay said the video from players last Thursday was “very impactful," and the league’s response "was as equally impactful." McKay: "It admitted some things that as a league that we didn’t get right and made some commitments going forward with real action. … We can help be part of the solution, working on these issues” (ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION, 6/7). In Boston, Andrew Callahan wrote, “Three and a half years later, the NFL has admitted it was wrong” (BOSTON HERALD, 6/6). NEWSDAY’s Bob Glauber wrote it was the “right message” from Goodell, “even if it came nearly four years too late.” For Goodell, it is “difficult to recall a single instance in which he apologized for being wrong,” but this time he was “unambiguous in his mea culpa” (NEWSDAY, 6/6).
