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Arrests, steroids, health are top topics for new commissioner
Arrests, steroids, health are top topics for new commissioner, By: Alex Marvez
February 3, 2007
MIAMI BEACH • Off-field conduct issues, the NFL's steroid policy, and the health of current and former players were three of the major topics addressed Friday by Roger Goodell during his first Super Bowl-week media address as the league's commissioner.
After a season in which there was seemingly a player arrest every week as well as the shooting death of Denver cornerback Darrent Williams, Goodell said he and NFL Players Association Executive Director Gene Upshaw would tap a panel of players this month for a meeting so both could get a handle on "what's really happening and what are the issues so we can try and learn something."
"The focus has to be on reevaluating our policies and educating the players [on the issues] out there," Goodell said during his 35-minute speech at the Miami Beach Convention Center. "We continually tell player and coaches they are held to a higher standard. We have to make sure our players are more accountable, but I think also our clubs have to be more accountable."
Goodell, who replaced Paul Tagliabue as commissioner last summer, and Upshaw also are working together at strengthening the league's steroid policy.
The NFL announced more stringent testing last week that calls for 12,000 tests to get administered each year and also includes screening for other illegal performance-enhancing substances like EPO.
Goodell said the league is trying to formulate a testing program for human growth hormone. Goodell, who spent extensive time this season meeting with medical experts about performance-enhancing substances, said there is no "reliable test" for HGH at this time and Upshaw has opposed the use of blood samples for detection.
Goodell said he is speaking with Upshaw about passing a rule that would bar a player who tests positive from winning a postseason award or appearing in the Pro Bowl. Before being named the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year, Dolphins defensive end Jason Taylor expressed that sentiment last month about San Diego end Shawne Merriman, who was a strong contender for the award despite having served a four-game steroid suspension.
Another hot-button topic is the impact of concussions on current and former players. According to two media outlets, former New England linebacker Ted Johnson said Patriots coach Bill Belichick ignored advice from a team trainer in 2002 that he shouldn't practice after suffering a concussion.
Johnson said he suffered another concussion during practice and several more over the next three seasons, which led to brain damage.
"It does concern me," Goodell said of the concussion issue. "We want to make sure our players have the safest possible environment in which to play. We have spent a great deal of time and energy on the concussion issue."
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