Roger Goodell will be at the NFL Draft on Thursday night, but it may not be business as usual for the commissioner.
Goodell underwent back surgery earlier this month, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Specifics of the procedure aren’t known, but Goodell is apparently recovering well. As of Thursday afternoon, however, it’s unclear if he will be able to greet first-round picks with a hug like he normally does.
According to Schefter, that’s being considered a “draft-time decision.”
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell underwent back surgery three weeks ago, has recovered well, but it remains uncertain whether he will be able to offer his patented draft-day hugs. Draft-time decision. pic.twitter.com/est2W3CXQT
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 25, 2024
While that may seem like a minor thing, it’s easy to see how a hug from an excited NFL rookie could end up injuring the 65-year-old commissioner’s back even further. If Goodell is hit by the hug in just the wrong way, it could easily set him back.
Goodell first took over as the league’s commissioner in 2006. He reached a deal to , which will bring his time leading the NFL to more than two decades by his contract’s end. It’s unclear how much his contract is worth specifically, though he earned just shy of $64 million for the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons. The extension was Goodell’s fourth since taking the job.
Goodell customarily announces picks for the first round of the draft. The second and third rounds of this year’s event on Friday will be announced by team players and former legends, the . Barry Sanders and Calvin Johnson will announce Lions picks, for example. Goodell’s front-facing role in the draft largely ends on Thursday night, which should help his back significantly.roge
Even if the hugs aren’t available on Thursday night, it’s a safe bet that fans will still greet Goodell like they always do when he first takes the stage in Detroit.
Source Agencies
