Goodell: Playing through pandemic was 'extraordinary collective effort'
With the season a few days from the finish line, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell praised the work of all parties involved in navigating through a pandemic-stricken year.
"This was an extraordinary collective effort. There's so many people that had to work together to get this done." Goodell said Thursday.
The NFL dealt with numerous COVID-19 issues throughout the campaign, with outbreaks affecting the Tennessee Titans, Baltimore Ravens, and Cleveland Browns. Though there were postponements, the league managed to play a full schedule without cancellations.
"We had to adapt at every stage. This was a year where we were all challenged and had to find innovative solutions," Goodell added, according to The Houston Chronicle's Aaron Wilson.
The commissioner isn't sure how next season will look but believes the experience of 2020 will pay off in preparation.
"I wish I knew the answer to that. We've learned to try not to project too much in advance. I don't know when normal will occur. I know this, we've learned to operate in a difficult environment and we’ll do it again," he said, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
Goodell added that the NFL is a "proponent" of vaccines and reaffirmed his promise to not jump the line.
One area the commissioner is striving to improve in 2021 is diversity among new hires. Two minority candidates were hired to be head coaches during the latest cycle. The New York Jets tabbed Robert Saleh as their sideline boss and the Houston Texans hired David Culley.
Goodell said he'll have more discussions on diversity with teams moving forward.
"It wasn't what we expected. And it's not what we expect going forward. ... They're not the outcomes we wanted. But we want it to be a natural process," Goodell said.
NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith, who worked closely with Goodell to implement safety protocols this season, joined the commissioner on stage to conclude the session.
COVID has done a lot of unthinkable things ... including getting NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and NFLPA Executive Director DeMaurice Smith smiling on stage together at Super Bowl LV. Believed to be their first joint media session since 2011 hall of fame festivities. pic.twitter.com/3Ln6lht7Yv
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) February 4, 2021
The NFL season is set to conclude with the Kansas City Chiefs taking on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super Bowl LV.