Roger Goodell
We're in a leadership position in sports. People look up to the National Football League.Collection: Leadership
No one is above the game or the rules that govern it. Respect for the game and the people who participate in it will not be compromised.Collection: Respect
It's not just the NFL. Every other league has a draft. It has been fundamental to the success of professional sports.Collection: Sports
We will always make sure player health and safety is our No. 1 priority in the NFL.Collection: Health
To me, what I love about the draft is; first, you see the young men who are realizing their dreams that they've worked so hard for. That's a pretty cool thing. You saw the emotion from some of these guys the other day. And then, the second thing is this total sense of hope and optimism. And, I think that's great for everybody.Collection: Cool
Change before you're forced to change.
My job is to protect the integrity of the NFL and to make sure the game is as safe as possible.
The draft is one of my favorite events because it is about football. People are focused on how their teams improve. It's a celebration of football. And most importantly, it represents a very important time in the lives of these men who are entering the NFL, and their families.
I spent a lot of time in the school psychologist's office. I didn't apply myself. My mother thought I had learning disabilities.
The highest standards of conduct must be met by everyone in the NFL because it is a privilege to represent the NFL, not a right.
Uncertainty's not good for anybody.
The owners don't win by having a lockout. Shutting down your business is not good for anybody and it's certainly not good for the players, it's certainly not good for the fans. And that's most important to us.
What is true of the NFL is that it has been well-managed over the years. And that has been beneficial to the fans, it's been beneficial to the game itself, it's been beneficial to the players, coaches and everyone involved.
There are lots of businesses that are well in excess of $9 billion that have gone into bankruptcy, that have been mismanaged. And that has not served anyone very well.
I'm very fortunate, and I know that.
I've spent my life following my passion.
It's an awesome responsibility, not only to maintain the level of success the NFL has, but to build on that.
I am awake a lot of nights.
You know that I'm always a proponent of doing things differently.
I talk to players all the time.
You do not have to be convicted or even charged of a crime to be able to demonstrate that you've violated a personal conduct policy, and reflect poorly not only on themselves, but all of their teammates, every NFL player in the league, and everyone associated with the NFL.
Every game in the NFL is important.
When you're talking about a trade you're saying, 'Is it good for this team or that team, did they give up too much?' That kind of debate is great for the game.
It's always unfortunate when something gets misreported and the facts are not clear.
I have to make a lot of decisions that aren't in the best interests of individuals, whether they be owners, club executives, players.
I don't expect to try to get people to like everything I do. I want them to respect what I do.
I take my responsibilities very seriously.
My goal was to prove to my family I wasn't a dummy.
I learned in high school that I was going to have to outwork people. I remember running around the track, training for football, and a faster guy ran past me. I just figured, I can outlast him. If I work harder than him, I'll beat him. And to this day I overprepare.
I don't get myself caught up in the rhetoric of any personal comments that are made.
When you're thrust into litigation, you obviously have to make sure you're prepared to deal with that.
HGH testing is happening in Olympics. The science is there. It is a valid test.
I think when someone is injured in your family, you want to speak to the individual and you want to hear their voice and you want to make sure they are OK.
The way you continue to be a successful business is you don't wait for the car to go off the cliff. You have to manage yourself. And make sure you do it in the right way so you are not making decisions in crisis.
I think the state of the NFL has a very positive outlook.
The NCAA has to establish their own rules and enforce their own rules.
I don't want players coming in from the college level that are either trying to avoid a suspension, declare themselves ineligible on their own, hire an agent and decide, 'I'm going to enter into the NFL.'
Too much of our society looks for people to fail.
The one thing I would hope would go on my tombstone is, 'I made my parents proud.'
It is a privilege for me to serve the NFL. It is the only place I have ever wanted to work.
I hold head coaches accountable.
The same mistakes can never be repeated.Collection: Mistake
You have to continue to learn. That's how you develop. So the people who show that curiosity, that ambition, that willingness to do what it takes to improve and to get better, they're the people who are going to be successful in the long term.Collection: Ambition
When there's a pattern of mistakes, something has got to change.Collection: Mistake
Ignorance is not a suitable defenseCollection: Ignorance
Yes, NFL players deserve to be paid well. Unfortunately, economic realities are forcing everyone to make tough choices and the NFL is no different. These are not easy negotiations, but the outcome can be positive. If both sides give a little, everyone, including fans, will get a lot and the game will improve through innovation. Even in difficult economic times, a new CBA presents us with the opportunity to secure the future of our game.Collection: Opportunity
This is an opportunity to create a better future for the NFL, to improve the game for our fans, and to expand the economic benefits for the players and teams. Staying with the status quo is not an option. The world has changed for everyone, including the NFL and our fans. We must get better in everything we do ... If both sides compromise and give a little, everyone will get a lot, especially the fans.Collection: Team
One of the strong principles that I believe in is that you're always learning, whether you're a commissioner, a current general manager, a president or an owner, or somebody that's trying to become a general manger or a coach in the NFL.Collection: Strong
It is very common ... to tell graduates: dream and dream big. I say do more than that. When you dream you are in an unconscious state. It ends. You wake up. It's not real.Collection: Inspirational
Bob Beaudine challenges you to think differently. His unique approach to life and business has helped elevate many careers.Collection: Unique