Appearing on ESPN’s Get Up on Wednesday morning, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said the league “will be ready to play” when the season is scheduled to begin in September.
Despite the optimism, the commissioner did acknowledge the league has to make sure it is doing everything it can with regard to the health and safety of players and other league personnel. Goodell said the league’s can-do attitude is important because “people look to us for optimism.”
“They look to us for bringing communities together,” he added. “I think the draft is a great example of that, with restoring hope. It’s hope for our fans. It’s hope for our teams. It’s hope for our players, for these young men who are about to start their careers as prospects and players in the NFL. That’s what this is all about, and I think we need those diversions. I think we need that focus on the future and that way to bring communities together.”
After Thursday’s draft, the next notable date on the NFL calendar will be the release of the season’s schedule on May 9. Though the NFL plans to play the season in full and on time, Goodell has acknowledged the league is putting together contingency plans.
“None of us know what the conditions will be a week from now much less three months from now or six months from now,” Goodell said last week. “So we’ll be prepared for all alternatives.”
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