NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is not very popular with the players.
A USA Today poll of 300 active players indicated that 61 percent disapprove of the job Goodell is doing.
Most of the players who did not approve of Goodell’s job performance referred to the increase in fines for hits on defenseless players and Goodell’s role in discipline of the New Orleans Saints for their role in the ‘bounty’ scandal.
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison has been outspoken about his disapproval of Goodell as commissioner. The linebacker has been fined more than $100,000 for hits during his career.
“I think it’s obvious that I disapprove,” Harrison told USA Today. “I feel like what he’s doing is not totally for the safety of players. … A lot of stuff they’ve done, (such as) fining guys crazy amounts of money for helmet-to-helmet hits and all that and saying you’re doing this for the safety of players. But yet you want to add extra games to the regular season.
“In the true interest of player safety, I would have no issue with it. But that’s not what it’s about. It’s about money. Who hired Roger Goodell?”
Those who approve of Goodell’s performance as commissioner cited his role in helping make the NFL the most popular sport in the U.S. and that being commissioner is a thankless job.
“(Goodell) has tremendous respect for NFL players and always seeks their views (and) values their input tremendously in working to make the game better,” NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said.
The players who were polled belonged on active rosters and practice squads. They were given anonymity if they requested it. The poll had a margin of error of plus/minus five percent.