The NFL owners held a regularly scheduled meeting in New York last week and there were a few interesting matters discussed during those two days.
For example:
- The first order of business was a discussion on Roger Goodell’s new contract extension which will keep him in the Commissioner’s chair to 2027. He succeeded Paul Tagliabue, who held the job for 17 years, in 2006. Many of us played during the time Pete Rozelle was Commissioner from 1960-1989. Any corporation or organization that just has three CEOs over a 67-year (1960-2027) period probably is going to be successful…and the NFL certainly is that.
- The league office told the owners last week that there was a seven-year low in training camp concussions this past summer. The expanded use of those odd-looking Guardian Caps was one of the major reasons for the decline. Also, the limited number of full practices and the reduction of preseason games from four to three also are factors.
- Lloyd Howell, Jr., who took over for outgoing NFLPA Executive Director DeMaurice Smith last summer, publicly has called for the league-wide removal of artificial turf in stadia in the wake of several well-publicized leg injuries (e.g. Aaron Rodgers) during the early weeks of the season. This artificial turf injury debate has been going on since most of us played. One league executive told the owners last week: “The goal needs to be to limit the number of different surfaces that our clubs play on so when a player steps on the field in one city that it feels very similar to the surface he played on last week in a different city.” Will anything change? Let’s wait to see.
- Flag Football in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles was a topic among the owners. With several current NFL players already volunteering to participate, a decision will have to be made whether the injury protection clauses in their NFL contracts will cover them if they are hurt playing 5-on-5 flag football on an Olympic field. There also are a number of players who were born outside the United States, and they may want to represent their native country in 2028. Finally, the possibility exists that NFL alumni will be recruited to participate in those 2028 Games. It serves as one more incentive for you to watch your weight and stay in shape.
Those were some of the highlights from last week’s meeting. The league is approaching the halfway point of the regular season with most division races very close. COMPETITIVE BALANCE IS THE GOAL! The games still are well-attended, and the game telecasts again are among the most watched shows on television.
We at NFL Alumni hope you enjoy the second half of the season on the road to Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas this February 11th.
