NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is widely considered to be the most powerful man in sports. So whenever he talks, a lot of people are certainly going to be there to listen. Now, just weeks after it was announced that the league will pay $765 million to settle lawsuits brought by more than 4,000 former players who accused the NFL of hiding the dangers of brain injuries, Goodell has sat down for a lengthy one-on-one interview with an ex-NFL safety who knows a thing or two about big hits and head injuries.
Goodell and former tough-as-nails safety John Lynch discuss the concussion lawsuits and the settlement at length as part of a 20-minute interview (although they actually spoke on camera for over an hour) that will air on Fox Sports 1 tonight at 8 p.m. ET.
That's a big draw for FS1 so early in the game. ESPN has obviously done plenty with Goodell in the past, but you don't see him do a ton of one-on-one interviews, especially for such extended periods of time.
Lynch is also an interesting choice. Now in his fifth full season as a color commentary for Fox NFL broadcasts, he's no longer a media rookie, but Curt Menefee, Jay Glazer and Pam Oliver are veterans. Maybe the key is that Lynch played the game and was a high-flying safety during the beginning of Goodell's reign.
We've seen the interview and will be speaking with Lynch about it later today. During the interview Goodell tried to sell the concussion settlement as being a victory for the players:
"I think it's good for our players because what's happening now is they are able to get help if they need it. And all players beyond the 4,000 (in the lawsuit), all retired players, will be able to have a baseline test."
Check back after the interview airs for a recap with Lynch about his interview with Goodell.
