The same mistakes can never be repeated.
No one is above the game or the rules that govern it. Respect for the game and the people who participate in it will not be compromised.
The highest standards of conduct must be met by everyone in the NFL because it is a privilege to represent the NFL, not a right.
I spent a lot of time in the school psychologist's office. I didn't apply myself. My mother thought I had learning disabilities.
My job is to protect the integrity of the NFL and to make sure the game is as safe as possible.
You have to continue to learn. That's how you develop. So the people who show that curiosity, that ambition, that willingness to do what it takes to improve and to get better, they're the people who are going to be successful in the long term.
I have to make a lot of decisions that aren't in the best interests of individuals, whether they be owners, club executives, players.
Change before you're forced to change.
My goal was to prove to my family I wasn't a dummy.
When there's a pattern of mistakes, something has got to change.
I take my responsibilities very seriously.
Ignorance is not a suitable defense
I don't expect to try to get people to like everything I do. I want them to respect what I do.
I don't get myself caught up in the rhetoric of any personal comments that are made.
It's always unfortunate when something gets misreported and the facts are not clear.
The one thing I would hope would go on my tombstone is, 'I made my parents proud.'
It's an awesome responsibility, not only to maintain the level of success the NFL has, but to build on that.
Yes, NFL players deserve to be paid well. Unfortunately, economic realities are forcing everyone to make tough choices and the NFL is no different. These are not easy negotiations, but the outcome can be positive. If both sides give a little, everyone, including fans, will get a lot and the game will improve through innovation. Even in difficult economic times, a new CBA presents us with the opportunity to secure the future of our game.
This is an opportunity to create a better future for the NFL, to improve the game for our fans, and to expand the economic benefits for the players and teams. Staying with the status quo is not an option. The world has changed for everyone, including the NFL and our fans. We must get better in everything we do ... If both sides compromise and give a little, everyone will get a lot, especially the fans.
I learned in high school that I was going to have to outwork people. I remember running around the track, training for football, and a faster guy ran past me. I just figured, I can outlast him. If I work harder than him, I'll beat him. And to this day I overprepare.
One of the strong principles that I believe in is that you're always learning, whether you're a commissioner, a current general manager, a president or an owner, or somebody that's trying to become a general manger or a coach in the NFL.
Every game in the NFL is important.
It is very common ... to tell graduates: dream and dream big. I say do more than that. When you dream you are in an unconscious state. It ends. You wake up. It's not real.
The owners don't win by having a lockout. Shutting down your business is not good for anybody and it's certainly not good for the players, it's certainly not good for the fans. And that's most important to us.
I am awake a lot of nights.
