Jerry Jones On Support For Goodell: 'His Heart Is On The Game'
DALLAS (105.3 THE FAN) -- NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has been largely criticized in the aftermath of a disastrous few weeks for the league. But league owners continue to voice their support for Goodell.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones says the league's support of Goodell can be traced back to his selection as commissioner in 2006.
"The ownership knew him so well and knows him so well, and he's spent his life there in the NFL," said Jones with Shan & RJ on 105.3 The Fan. "It was very comfortable and very good to have that kind of talent and commitment and know where his heart is -- his heart is on the game."
Jones on Roger Goodell
(Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
Jones says that Goodell has excelled as commissioner, advancing the game in a "very positive way". But the perception that supporting Goodell is an endorsement of negative behavior -- that's simply wrong.
"The support of him shouldn't in any way be turned as though you are soft or don't understand the seriousness of physical abuse -- that's wrong. Everyone, the league, everybody involved understand that and we understand the visibility of the games and our players and our organization, the NFL."
And with the increased visibility comes increased criticism -- something Jones is fully aware of. The league's image has been tarnished in recent weeks following highly publicized domestic and child abuse allegations.
"Everybody wants what they're doing and what they are to be thought of as highly as it can be."
"If you are a real leader and significant, then you are going to be critiqued. I think what we're doing is being critiqued. We've got to understand our response and what we need to do. I don't think being critiqued is necessarily a negative. I think it can cause you to get it together if you've been a little light or been less than you want to be."
Jones on the NFL's image
(Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
Jones has reiterated that, through harsher punishments and improved decision making, the league is getting things right -- even if it required a second opportunity.
But if in fact the league weathers the storm, much can be learned from recent events. And the league could come out even stronger.
"If in fact we're being criticized and are on the down part of the curve of being critiqued, we've got the ability and the consciousness to get it up and get it turned to where it's not a positive but more of a plus."
(©2014 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
Latest News:
Top Trending:
