Roger Goodell confident in security for NFL game in Paris
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said the Saints and Steelers can safely play Sunday in Paris despite possible protests. Goodell voiced a high comfort level as civil unrest continues across the French capital and elsewhere. League leaders addressed safety on Wednesday at the annual fall owners meeting in New York.
Goodell said he spoke with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. NFL staff remain in contact with Parisian and French authorities. He said officials have made all necessary preparations.
“Protests are not unusual in France, as you know, and that’s something that we will be aware of and make sure that the appropriate arrangements are made,” Goodell said.
New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis spoke from Versailles. Loomis said team plans remain unchanged. The Saints arrived in France on Monday after a game against the Giants.
The Pittsburgh Steelers plan to fly on Thursday night. Loomis said the team will keep gathering information. Safety Justin Reid said players do not worry.
“We’re guests in the country. We’re going to be good guests, and we’re going to do our thing. And I’m confident they’re going to do theirs.”
Goodell also defended the attendance of two team executives at the two-day meeting. Giants executive vice president Steve Tisch attended. Tisch and his siblings shifted stakes to their children earlier this year.
The U.S. Justice Department released files about Jeffrey Epstein in January. Tisch appeared in those records over 400 times. Tisch said he knew Epstein. He denied going to Epstein’s island.
Goodell had promised a review of Tisch at the Super Bowl. Goodell said the league feels comfortable with Tisch participating. He said the league will examine any new facts.
San Francisco 49ers executive Jed York also attended following a six-game suspension. York violated league personal conduct rules. Police arrested him in an Ohio prostitution sting in August.
York pleaded no contest to two misdemeanors. The league still issued a punishment. Goodell said the league reviewed the facts before taking disciplinary action.
“We saw a violation, and we’ve dealt with it from a discipline standpoint,” Goodell said. “That’s concluded now, and so he’ll be back representing the 49ers.”
Executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent addressed two suspended on-field officials. Vincent said their conduct crossed the line. Line judge Jeff Seeman served a two-game ban for swearing at Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride.
Referee Adrian Hill served a one-game suspension for yelling at Minnesota Vikings linebacker Eric Wilson. Wilson tried to help Hill stand up following an on-field collision. Goodell demanded respect among all game participants.
The NFL hosts regular-season international games to stage football contests for fans in overseas cities. Local hosts coordinate police and venue staff to protect visiting sports teams.
Both teams plan to finish work before playing Sunday in Paris. Goodell said officials will continue monitoring developments across the region.
