NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has e-mailed a letter to millions of NFL fans in which he offers some thoughts about the recently concluded lockout of NFL officials.
Although Goodell doesn’t actually say “I’m sorry,” or “I apologize,” he does express “regret” and acknowledge that the lockout was “unfortunate.”
“I believe in accountability, not excuses. And I regret we were not able to secure an agreement sooner in the process and avoid the unfortunate distractions to the game. You deserve better,” Goodell wrote.
Goodell also tells fans that he believes some of the changes in the new agreement with the officials will make for a better quality of game.
“For example, beginning with the 2013 season, the NFL will have the option of hiring a number of officials on a full-time basis to work year-round, including on the field. In addition, the NFL will have the option to retain additional officials for training and development purposes, and may assign those additional officials to work NFL games,” Goodell wrote.
If the officiating does get better, that would be a positive outcome of this new agreement. But Goodell is right: Fans deserved better than having to wait through three weeks of replacement refs in order to get to this new agreement.