Roger Goodell Responds To Richard Sherman: Players Have To Behave
BOSTON (CBS) -- Richard Sherman's never been shy about speaking his mind, even if that means going after the man in charge of the NFL.
In the past, Sherman has openly questioned commissioner Roger Goodell's judgment, and just this week, he went on the offensive against Goodell yet again.
The All-Pro cornerback attacked the commissioner's credibility when discussing the proposal to eject players who commit two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties in the same game.
On Wednesday at the league owners' meetings, Goodell responded to the harsh commentary.
"This is all within their control," Goodell said of the players. "Sportsmanship is important to the membership. We all have standards. They have two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties before they're ejected. The message from the membership and the clubs and from our coaches is that we're going to be held to those high standards."
Goodell praised the new rule, because it "gives teeth" to coaches who tell their players to behave appropriately.
"This brought teeth to that. It brought an opportunity for the rules to reflect the emphasis that I think everyone in the membership feels," Goodell said. "Sportsmanship is important to us."
Sherman's initial comments, made over the weekend to ESPN, were particularly harsh.
"I think [the proposal is] foolish, but it sounds like something somebody who's never played the game would say, something that they would suggest," Sherman said. "[Goodell] doesn't understand. He's just a face. He's just a suit. He's never stepped foot on the field and understood how you could get a personal foul."