That was awkward: Goodell dodges on Raiders, parries on Pats (Yahoo Sports)

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell answers questions during a news conference during preparations for the NFL Super Bowl 51 football game Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2017, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Nothing produces awkward NFL moments quite like watching the commissioner parry all those thorny issues involving the league’s oldest and newest troublemakers – the Raiders and Patriots. Reporters spent time poking Roger Goodell about ”Deflategate,” the Raiders’ now-threatened move to Las Vegas, and other delicate topics at the commissioner’s less-formal, less-crowded and, frankly, less-newsy pre-Super Bowl news conference, held on a Wednesday this year instead of the traditional Friday afternoon slot. Going sans necktie and speaking in a room about half the size as his usual Super Bowl venue, Goodell insisted nothing was off-kilter between the league and either team.


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The Latest: Goodell avoids Trump, executive order questions (Yahoo Sports)

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell answers questions during a news conference during preparations for the NFL Super Bowl 51 football game Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2017, in Houston. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell sidestepped questions about President Donald Trump and his policies. During his annual pre-Super Bowl news conference Wednesday, Goodell did not offer any substantive thoughts about Trump, his executive order restricting refugees and immigration from seven countries or his plans to build a wall along the U.S. border with Mexico. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says he and the Patriots have a ”disagreement about what occurred” with regard to the scandal that came to be known as ”Deflategate,” but he still has a ”deep and close relationship” with team owner Robert Kraft.


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