Goodell: current players won’t have say in discipline

Associated Press

CINCINNATI

Sorry, Troy Polamalu. Commissioner Roger Goodell says active NFL players won’t be deciding punishment for flagrant hits that merit fines.

Goodell wants to hear their opinions, though.

The commissioner said Monday the league has been opposed to allowing active players or team officials to get involved in deciding punishments. The league recently increased its enforcement of rules against flagrant hits.

The Steelers safety has been outspoken against the crackdown, saying it has caused paranoia around the league. Teammate James Harrison has been fined $100,000 for three hits, prompting him to talk briefly about retiring. Polamalu suggested last week that current players and team officials should be involved in deciding punishments.

Goodell indicated that’s not going to happen.

“There are league executives involved and there are former players involved,” Goodell said. “I think having active players and active front office executives is something the competition committee has always frowned on.”

Goodell emphasized that he’s not part of the fines process, which was set up with the players’ association.

Last week, Goodell summoned Harrison to his office to talk about his late hit on Saints quarterback Drew Brees two days earlier. Harrison later was fined $20,000 for the play.

Goodell got Harrison’s opinions [.

“I always seek to get players’ involvement,” Goodell said.

“I actually work very hard to make sure we understand the players’ perspective. As a matter of fact, bringing James Harrison in last week was an opportunity to be able to hear from an active player.”