NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has taken a lot of shots from players for trying to take the head out of the game. But Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson says Goodell is doing the right things to make the game safer.
Peterson said on ESPN 1100 in Las Vegas that he approves of the steps Goodell has made to make players healthier during their careers and for the rest of their lives. And he agrees with the owners’ decision to follow Goodell’s lead and pass a new rule restricting players from delivering forcible blows with the tops of their helmets.
“The game has definitely changed, but I believe the commissioner is changing the game for the good,” Peterson said, via SportsRadioInterviews.com. “These guys want to make the game as safe as possible, so us football players can have longevity after our football careers. I think Roger Goodell is doing a great job trying to implement these rules and just make the game as safe as possible. We don’t want to go out there spearing guys and running backs dropping their helmets into our chests. I actually love the new rule change.”
The owners voted 31-1 to pass the new helmet rule, but players were so vocally opposed to it that it seemed at times like the players opposed it by just as wide a margin. Peterson, however, doesn’t see it that way: No one would accuse Peterson of opposing tough, physical football, but Peterson also agrees with Goodell that there are legitimate ways to make the game safer.