In the wake of the disclosure of the Wonderlic score generated by LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne, Commissioner Roger Goodell has reminded teams of the importance of keeping this information confidential.
PFT has obtained a copy of the memo sent Wednesday night by Goodell to all 32 teams.
“As we near our annual college player draft, please be reminded that certain information obtained during preparations for the Draft, including personal and family details, results of drug tests, scores on the Wonderlic test, and the like, are strictly confidential for club use only and are not to be disseminated publicly under any circumstances,” Goodell says. “Disclosing this confidential information about draft-eligible players to the public can be extremely damaging to players, clubs, and the league.
“Bear in mind that the publicly-disclosed information is frequently inaccurate, incomplete or misleading, and often results from an effort of an individual to advance a self-interested goal. What is lost in the pursuit of that goal is concern for the reputation and well-being of the young men who have worked so hard to reach their own goal of becoming an NFL player and concern for the reputation of the NFL and our game. You should be reminded that disclosure of inappropriate private or confidential information concerning draft-eligible players is conduct detrimental to the league and will be met with significant discipline when a violation can be established.”
The problem is that it will be very difficult to establish a violation. Many people within each of the 32 teams have access to sensitive information, and there’s no way to find out who’s talking to whom unless someone admits it.
That doesn’t mean Goodell shouldn’t try to persuade teams to be discreet. The reality is that, regardless of motivation, people who know things like to share that information with people who don’t. It’s human nature, in every company, agency, school, or other institution.