(Tampa) It will be necessary for the NFL to learn lessons from 2020, Commissioner Roger Goodell said on Thursday at his annual State of the League press conference.
In front of media present on site (near the Amalie Arena) or virtually, depending on the case, Goodell noted that the fight against the pandemic, the hiring of minorities, the schedule and the relationship with the players will remain major issues.
“I don’t know when will be normal or if there will be a return to normal,” said Goodell. We have learned to operate in very difficult conditions, and we will again.
“I see that he has built a bond of trust between the league and the players. It will guide us and it will be a legacy of this season. ”
With the Super Bowl taking place on Sunday, the NFL is days away from signing the feat of a full season, despite questions related to COVID-19.
“It was an amazing collective effort,” said Goodell. So many people had to come together.
“There have been doubts externally and even internally, but I believe we have managed to avoid this notion of an asterisk. ”
Goodell said the NFL is not happy that only two members of minorities have stepped up to the head coach position, out of seven available positions.
Robert Saleh took the helm of the Jets and David Culley that of the Texans.
“It’s not the kind of ratio that we would expect in the future,” Goodell said.
About 70% of the players come from minorities.
Goodell still noted that three blacks have been hired as general managers, and also that there is more diversity on the side of assistants to the coach.
