During his press conference on Friday, Roger Goodell said a thing that caused almost every credible reporter to raise an eyebrow. Goodell’s stance on Friday (probably because Frank Luntz told him it would be helpful to improve his horrid public image) was that he was the most open and transparent and fan-friendly person who has ever lived. He even claimed that he is available to the media “almost every day” of his job.
"I'm available to the media almost every day." — Thing Roger Goodell said
— Russell Steinberg (@Russ_Steinberg) January 30, 2015
Reporters were rightfully puzzled about this laughable claim…
Roger Goodell says he's available to media almost every day. OK. I'm calling BS on that.
— Jeff Schultz (@JeffSchultzAJC) January 30, 2015
Roger Goodell is actually saying he is available to the media on a regular basis. This, after dodging the domestic violence issue for weeks!
— Bill Cooney (@BillCooney) January 30, 2015
Goodell says he's available to the media "almost every day of my job". … Hey Roger, I will be calling almost every day next week then!
— Ralph Vacchiano (@RVacchianoSNY) January 30, 2015
https://twitter.com/BartHubbuch/status/561237402857897984
"I'm available to the media almost every day of my job professionally." Goodell has rejected every interview request I've made since 2012.
— Don Van Natta Jr. (@DVNJr) January 30, 2015
After his bold declaration, it might seem odd… perhaps hypocritical if you will… that Mr. Goodell would refuse to speak with NBC Sports for their Super Bowl XLIX pregame coverage after claiming such round-the-clock availability. On the biggest day of the NFL year the commissioner, who claims to be available to the media almost every day, denied an interview request with the network televising the Super Bowl.
Bob Costas just confirmed @nflcommish declined to sit down with @NBCSports. But @BarackObama will talk to NBC. Strange times.
— Neil Best (@sportswatch) February 1, 2015
Maybe Super Bowl Sunday just happens to be one of those extremely rare days where Mr. Goodell is unavailable to the public. The President of the United States can find the time to do it. But not Roger Goodell. He must be very busy doing whatever it is he does to earn that $44 million salary.