The reaction to Roger Goodell's press conference from former and current NFL players was overwhelmingly negative on Friday.
Goodell touchded on a lot of topics, but his answers didn't seem to satisfy anyone. Former Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi, who now works as an ESPN analyst, probably had the most scathing response to Goodell's press conference, saying he wants a new commissioner to lead the league that he played in for 12 years.
Here's what Bruschi said on ESPN after the press conference.
As long as Roger Goodell is leading the NFL and he's the face behind the shield, you will have the same emotions you had today watching this press conference. Listening to him speak in circles, wondering, 'Man, what is this guy talking about?'
So as you continue and move forward and Roger Goodell is the commissioner, you will continue to feel that way every time you see him. In my personal opinion, being a former player that spent 13 years in this league trying to the the right thing, I want a new commissioner to lead my league. I want a new commissioner to go out there and say the right things and be that leader because right now, Roger Goodell is not that and I don't think he can ever be that.
Roger Goodell needs to step down and move on.
Ravens wide receiver Torrey Smith had this to say about the press conference...
What Roger just said is the exact same thing that players say when they make a mistake and plead their case
— Torrey Smith (@TorreySmithWR) September 19, 2014
...though he did not go as far as to suggest that Goodell needs to resign.
RT @AndrewBaca55: @TorreySmithWR He needs to resign!...not gonna say all of that but he needs to get it right...I'm sure they will with time
— Torrey Smith (@TorreySmithWR) September 19, 2014
Packers wide receiver Myles White, who's on the team's practice squad, was pretty blunt with his assessment of the press conference.
This dude is up here telling lies.. It's unbelievable.
— Myles White (@M_White03) September 19, 2014
Colts defensive back Darius Butler felt like the press conference was a waste of time.
This press conference is pointless
— Darius Butler (@DariusJButler) September 19, 2014
Butler's tweet made it on TV.
Amazing on-screen tweet No. 1: pic.twitter.com/w57FANZ6Pk
— Will Brinson (@WillBrinson) September 19, 2014
Butler must have been inspired by his tweet making it on TV, because he kept going.
Media could have saved a lot of $ and time and just asked him these questions on twitter. Much easier to ignore and answer what u want here.
— Darius Butler (@DariusJButler) September 19, 2014
Then there was former Seahawks receiver Sidney Rice. He boo'd Goodell on Twitter...and that made also made it to television.
And amazing on-screen tweet No. 2: pic.twitter.com/eHczozcU1Z
— Will Brinson (@WillBrinson) September 19, 2014
Troy Aikman was thinking about the Saints during the press conference.
Can only imagine how upset Sean Payton and the New Orleans Saints must be watching Commissioner's press conference
— Troy Aikman (@TroyAikman) September 19, 2014
Colts long snapper Matt Overton didn't bash Goodell, but probably only because he's afraid he might get fined.
It will be interesting to see if any players get fined for tweets bashing the commish
— Matt Overton (@MattOverton_LS) September 19, 2014