In a recent poll of NFL players conducted by USA Today Sports, 61% of players said they disapprove of the job Goodell has done overall, with most focusing on the increased fines of players for dangerous hits on defenseless receivers and quarterbacks and the perception of the commissioner's investigation into the bounty matter, Mike Garafolo of USA Today reports. The poll of 300 players on active rosters or practice squads was conducted from Dec. 19 to Jan. 12, with a margin of error of plus-minus 5%. If requested, players were granted anonymity because they were concerned about fallout or reaction to their vote going public. Goodell's 39% approval rating came from a number of respondents noting his role in making the game the most popular of U.S. sports, plus those who realize it's a thankless job, no matter who is in charge. "I think it's obvious that I disapprove," said Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison, who has been fined more than $100,000 for hard hits throughout his career and has been one of the most outspoken critics of Goodell in recent years. "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?" "Roger Goodell has tremendous respect for NFL players and always seeks their views on a wide range of issues," league spokesman Greg Aiello said in response to the poll. "He values their input tremendously in working to make the game better. Roger broke into the league 30 years ago working closely with players, and he hasn't changed that approach Source: The Redzone
Wasn't football the most popular game in the U.S. before he became commissioner? :sly: Sent from my SCH-I535 using Xparent Red Tapatalk 2
