NFL reviewing more ways to stop drunken driving

Posted Friday, Feb. 01, 2013 0 comments  Print Reprints
A

Have more to add? News tip? Tell us

NEW ORLEANS -- The NFL will implement more programs to try to deter drinking and driving by its players in the wake of two Dallas Cowboys' recent arrests for DWI.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said Friday in his annual state of the league address that drinking and driving is unacceptable, but the league's response to the problem has to be more than words.

"I think we have to go beyond telling players or telling executives," Goodell said. "The reality is we have to do a better job of educating people in the NFL that this is a priority. This is for your safety, for the safety of the people in your car, and for innocent people that are out there. There are services designed to help them make better decisions before they leave their homes. We have to make sure that they understand those services, and most importantly, take advantage of them, use them."

Defensive tackle Jay Ratliff was arrested Jan. 22 on a driving while intoxicated charge after hitting an 18-wheeler and a highway median with his car. His arrest came only 44 days after Ratliff's backup, Josh Brent, was arrested and charged with intoxicated manslaughter as the driver in a wreck that killed his passenger, practice squad linebacker Jerry Brown.

Debbie Weir, the chief executive officer of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, whose national office is in Irving, was in the audience for Goodell's 48-minute address. She met with Goodell during the December owners meetings in Irving and again last week.

The Cowboys are expected to meet with MADD, too, to determine additional steps they can take.

"We're going to engage in a number of programs to help educate all of our clubs -- players, coaches, executives -- on what we can do," Goodell said. "Victim-impact programs have been very effectively used with several clubs over the past several months. We're going to do that, because this is a high priority, not only for the sake of safety, but it's part of our responsibility in the communities that we live."

Other issues the commissioner discussed:

Making the game safer is the league's goal. The NFL intends to continue to pursue suspensions as discipline for players with a history of illegal hits, which Goodell believes serve as a deterrent. Neurosurgeons will be on the sidelines during games and postseason physicals will be expanded to three days. The league's competition committee will review low blocks, though taking "the head out of the game" is the "No. 1 issue." "There is no question that there is a focus to try to get back to the fundamentals of tackling," Goodell said.

Testing for human growth hormone could happen as soon as the start of the 2013 season. The league and the union agreed to testing two years ago in the new collective bargaining agreement.

The NFL will review the Rooney Rule in the off-season after no minorities were hired for the eight head coaching and seven general manager positions this off-season.

The league hopes to return to Mexico -- it last played a game there in 2005 -- but Goodell said there is no timetable to return. The league will host two games in London this year, both of which are sold out.

Charean Williams

817-390-7760

Twitter: @NFLCharean

Looking for comments?

We welcome your comments on this story, but please be civil. Do not use profanity, hate speech, threats, personal abuse, images, internet links or any device to draw undue attention. Comments deemed inappropriate will be removed and repeated abusers will be banned. NOTE: If you log in using your Twitter account, your comments will be signed using the name on your Twitter profile, NOT your Twitter user name. Read our full comment policy.



Sunday, May 19Full Scoreboard
Seattle0Final | Box
Cleveland «6
Toronto0Postponed | Box
NY Yankees0
Arizona1Final | Box
Miami «2
Los Angeles2Bottom 7th | Box
Atlanta1@theBallpark | TV: FSN-PT, FSN-S, TBS
Tampa Bay «3Final | Box
Baltimore1
Cincinnati2Final | Box
Philadelphia «3
Houston0Final | Box
Pittsburgh «1
Boston3Delayed | Box
Minnesota1@theBallpark | TV: NESN, FSN-N
Milwaukee2Final | Box
St. Louis «4
NY Mets «4Final | Box
Chicago Cubs3
Chicago WSox1Bottom 8th | Box
LA Angels4@theBallpark | TV: CSN-CHI, FSN-W
Kansas City3Top 8th | Box
Oakland3@theBallpark | TV: FSN-KC, CSN-CA
San Francisco0Bottom 6th | Box
Colorado3@theBallpark | TV: CSN-BA, ROOT-RM
Washington2Top 7th | Box
San Diego7@theBallpark | TV: MASN2, FSN-SD
Detroit 5/19 8:05 PM ET
Texas TV: ESPN
Full Scoreboard
Sunday, May 19Full Scoreboard
Memphis83Final | Box
San Antonio «105
Western Conference Finals, Game One. San Antonio leads series, 1-0
Full Scoreboard
Week 1Full Scoreboard
Sunday
Miami 8:00 PM ET
Dallas TV: NBC
Full Scoreboard
Sunday, May 19Full Scoreboard
NY Rangers2Final | Box
Boston «5
Eastern Conference Semifinals, Game Two. Boston leads series, 2-0.
Pittsburgh 5/19 7:30 PM ET
Ottawa TV: CBC, RDS, NBCSN
Eastern Conference Semifinals, Game Three. Pittsburgh leads series, 2-0.
Full Scoreboard