Hillary Clinton aide sought concussion advice from NFL after her fall: Report

The latest batch of email messages from Hillary Clinton on Monday show how a Clinton communications staffer asked the National Football League for help in hope of deflecting criticism from right-wing commentators after the former secretary of state suffered a concussion when she fainted and hit her head in late 2012.

One of Clinton's closest aides was called to put together an unusual group of allies to help manage the messaging fallout from her all-too-convenient “Benghazi flu” — including NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and former Republican Senate Leader Bill Frist, reported The Daily Beast.

Clinton's chief communications guru, Phillipe Reines contacted the NFL for help in alerting the press on the dangers of surrounding her December 2012 concussion. Buried among the hundreds of emails was an exchange about the injury on Christmas Eve that year, as she prepared to hand over the reins to John Kerry:

"Having a cracked head is no fun at all," Clinton emailed Reines.

"Speaking of your cracked head," he replied, "I reached out to both the Nfl commish (I remembered that his dad held your Senate seat) and Bill Frist. Frist responded wonderfully and is ready to help."

After Clinton assured Reines that she was "ok in the doctor department for now," he made his intentions clear.

"Sorry, didn't mean medically. Wouldn't ever do that," Reines wrote. "I meant I enlisted their help in my ongoing efforts to undermine the John Boltons and Laura Ingraham's of the world who are belittling your health." 

Clinton responded five minutes later: "That makes a lot of sense. As always, thanks for defending me, my friend."

Frist, a former Tennessee senator who served as U.S. Senate Majority Leader until 2007, is a Clinton-friendly Republican and a medical doctor.

The NFL, under Goodell, had been enduring years of public-relations setbacks as former players have died early or revealed traumatic brain injuries that they have said were a result of playing the sport of football.

Bolton, Ingraham and other commentators were quick to criticize Clinton as her concussion forced what conservatives saw as a too-convenient postponement of her first congressional testimony about the Benghazi attacks three months earlier.

Ingraham in particular suggested she was faking her injury in order to avoid an intense grilling on Capitol Hill.

Bill Clinton later said that it “required six months of very serious work” for his wife to get over the concussion.

Doctors had found a blood clot in her right transverse venous sinus related to her concussion, but ultimately determined that the clot caused no neurological injury. “No lingering effects,” Clinton told Diane Sawyer in 2014, when asked about her experience.

Monday's batch of released emails consumed more than 7,800 pages, mostly from 2012 and 2013. In all, 328 of the emails were deemed "classified," including one marked "secret."

That brings to 999 the total number of now-classified emails that once resided on Hillary's unsecured server at her upstate New York home.

Bill Belichick's playbook has more security.

Robert Kraft, 'Deflategate' judge mingle at Hamptons soiree: Report

It's only natural for Robert Kraft  to huddle up with the man who just might be the New England Patriots MVP this season — and it isn't Tom Brady.

The NFL team owner was spotted mingling with Judge Richard Berman, the jurist who overturned the league's suspension of Brady over his alleged role in Deflategate, at a Hamptons Labor Day party full of media and business power brokers, reports Page Six of the New York Post.

You might remember Berman from this court rendering:

The two were seen chatting at Discovery Communications chief David Zaslav and his wife Pam’s party at their East Hampton estate, also attended by Oprah Winfrey, Martha Stewart, Harvey Weinstein, Lloyd Blankfeinrich, NY Giants co-owner Jon Tisch and wife Lizzie, Katie Couric, and a host of other really powerful people.

Roger Goodell was no where in sight.

Brady won the court battle last week, after Berman criticized the NFL Commissioner for “dispensing his own brand of industrial justice.” The ruling clears the Pats' quarterback to play in Thursday’s season opener against the Steelers.

"It was a chance encounter at a social event with hundreds of guests," a rep told Page Six. "There was a brief introduction and an exchange of pleasantries that lasted no more than a couple of minutes."

Guests reportedly headed down to a beach bonfire, where the  Discovery’s “Shark Week” was celebrated with a soaring shark sand sculpture.

Ridiculed courtroom sketch artist paints Tom Brady in new light (PHOTO)

The sketch artist mocked for her terrible rendition of Tom Brady in court is now ready to draw cheers with her new and improved rendition of the embattled Patriots quarterback's chiseled features.

Jane Rosenberg’s new portrait of the Super Bowl champion looks nothing like the monstrous drawing she did of Brady during the quarterback's first appearance in Manhattan Federal Court over the DeflateGate scandal.

And the New York Daily News has the proof:

The first sketch made the handsome four-time Super Bowl champion appear ghoulish — and turned it into an Internet meme sensation.

“I still found him very hard to draw — from a photo as well,” the sketch artist of 35 years said. “Something subtle goes on with his eyes. He has a big chin with a cleft in it.”

And like some NFL defenses, Rosenberg sees him more than she cares to admit.

“(Brady is) in my dreams, it’s a nightmare for me,” Rosenberg said. “I hope this thing gets settled and is over with.”

Whether that will happen in the next hearing will remain a mystery until both the player and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell appear before Judge Richard Berman Monday morning regarding the case stemming from Brady's suspension.

And Rosenberg will be there, chalk in hand.

“There’s a lot of pressure on me. A lot of eyeballs on me. I just hope my hands can move, period. I know I’m not going to have any sleep tonight,” she said. “I still might blow it; anything could happen.”

Courtroom sketch of Tom Brady starts meme blitz on Twitter

Tom Brady was in court Wednesday — in case you didn't know— and, as a result, had his likeness drawn by the courtroom artist.

Who gave him a DeflateGate sort of face.

Internet art critics seem to think Tom Brady's courtroom sketch looks off, for some reason http://t.co/ONDBG5pG4H pic.twitter.com/4gydPvfJhj

— New York Post Sports (@nypostsports) August 12, 2015

Brady reportedly signed the drawing, said the New York Daily News but not before the scraggly sketch set off a bunch of hilarious memes on Twitter. 

Tom Brady looks like Quasimodo. pic.twitter.com/NKRxLg5ayo

— The Sports Geeks (@thesportsgeeks) August 12, 2015

Tom Brady And The Deathly Hallows pic.twitter.com/bIOji9rqZA

— BuzzFeed Sports (@BuzzFeedSports) August 12, 2015

Gisele has weird taste in men pic.twitter.com/JF7c6X4ptm

— Dave Rappoccio (@DrawPlayDave) August 12, 2015

The courtroom sketch "artist" made poor Tom Brady look like the Don from "Prizzi's Honor." pic.twitter.com/2QW94hiOx9

— Frank Isola (@FisolaNYDN) August 12, 2015

Someone better check #TomBrady's right ear. #VincentVanGogh #NFL #Patriots #TomBradySketch #DeflateGate pic.twitter.com/8WlJWT12a0

— The Other Paper (@TheOtherPaper1) August 12, 2015

And there were some who thought Brady was more Picasso than Van Gogh.

Wow here’s another sketch of Tom Brady at court today pic.twitter.com/g5ryPCW1nH

— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) August 12, 2015

Patriots fan fires back at Jets, Goodell by flying banner of his own (PHOTO)

And the AFC East banner wars begin.

A Maine man countered the New York Jets group who flew a "Cheaters Look Up!" banner over the New England Patriots training camp last week, by hiring a plane to fly a banner over NFL commissioner Roger Goodell’s vacation home in Scarborough with the message "Comm. Goodell Jet Home To N.Y."

Biddeford man hires plane to fly over @NFL's Roger Goodell's summer home: http://t.co/t6aaRDgGV0 pic.twitter.com/7Pzg2gjGWT

— PressHerald (@PressHerald) August 2, 2015

Richard Pate of Biddeford, Maine, wouldn't say how much it cost, but insisted it was worth every penny to poke Goodell after he gave Brady a four-game suspension.

And take a jab at the Jets banner as well.

"I went over to [a pilot] and asked if he'd be willing to fly a banner, and he was more than happy to ..." Pate told WCSH6. "You know, the irony is I don't remember the Jets winning many Super Bowls, maybe one back in the 60s."

While Goodell's home is under police surveillance, Pate said he hopes to fly the banner again on Sunday or Monday.

Imprisoned Cowboys fan files $88 billion lawsuit against NFL for reversed Dez Bryant play: Report

One Cowboys fan — with more than enough time on his hands — thinks that the overturned Dez Bryant catch two weeks ago is just plain criminal and wants someone to pay.

Inmate Terry Hendrix, who is incarcerated in a Colorado correctional facility, has filed a lawsuit against the National Football League seeking over $88 billion in damages because of the controversial call against Dallas in the divisional playoff game against the Green Bay Packers.

Hendrix is reportedly seeking $88,987,654,321.88 in damages from the NFL "for but not limited to: negligence, breach of fiduciary duty, and also reckless disregard," according to WFAA.com.

The jailbird specifically names NFL Vice President of Officiating Dean Blandino, referee Gene Steratore and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell in the lawsuit.

Bryant's catch, which was ruled incomplete after a video review, would have put the Cowboys at the 1-yard line. Hendrix writes "the Cowboys' offensive line would have perfectly created an 'Autobahn' for DeMarco Murray to drive into the endzone for the score and victory."

If Charles Manson can find love on death row, I guess anything is possible.

Hope Solo still playing despite domestic violence charges

In case you haven't noticed over the past few weeks, the NFL and its commissioner Roger Goodell have come under fire for their lax punishment of no less than five players being charged with various domestic violence and child abuse incidents.

While the media seems to find numerous angles in crucifying Goodell and team owners over their less than sparkling record for disciplining these players, these same crusading, self-righteous reporters seem to have ignored one domestic violence case where the charged person is still playing and have even celebrated the person charged with the offense.

Hope Solo.

While fans burn their Ray Rice jerseys and media-types rake the NFL over the coals, where are the do-gooders' outrage at Solo continuing to play while Adrian Peterson, who has been accused of child abuse, is suspended (rightfully so) from playing for the Minnesota Vikings.

The 33-year-old Solo, one of the biggest and most marketable stars in women’s sports, is accused of the same criminal charges as the NFL players, but continues to play for her pro team as she waits for the national team trials in November.  Solo was even cheered for extending her shutout record to 73 games as the U.S. women’s national team beat Mexico 4-0 in a friendly Thursday night in Rochester, N.Y.

Would Peterson get this type of reaction for gaining 200 yards?

As Cindy Boren of The Washington Post wrote:

Unlike some of the biggest NFL stars, Solo, who is their counterpart in women’s soccer and someone touted as a role model, quietly goes about her business of keeping soccer balls from going into the net. NFL stars like Ray Rice, Greg Hardy, Jonathan Dwyer and Adrian Peterson were banished after massive sponsor, political and fan pressure, but Nike, for instance, has remained silent on Solo.

At least some social media has noticed the double standard:

If we're going to criticize #NFL teams for their handling of domestic violence, how do we feel about #USWMNT letting Hope Solo play?
— Robert Flores (@RoFloESPN) September 18, 2014

Hope Solo is playing in a US soccer game tonight despite 2 domestic assault charges. No outrage here though, right? pic.twitter.com/edJNBeFWcH
— Phillip Mena (@phillipmenaKPRC) September 18, 2014

Comparing hulking NFL player Rice punching and knocking out his fiancee to a female soccer player accused of assaulting her half-sister and 17-year-old nephew is arguable — but it is still domestic violence. And if this behavior shouldn't happen in the NFL, it shouldn’t happen in women’s sports, either.

Solo's team, the Reign, rationalized their decision to keep her on the field by saying they were still collecting evidence on the case. The U.S. Soccer national team is apparently following suit.

If she wasn't one of the most high-profile players, in a low-profile league, Solo probably wouldn't be playing.

Solo has apologized on Facebook for what she characterized as “a highly unfortunate incident.”

But, if abuse is abuse, then fair is fair.

Eli Manning speaks out on child abuse and domestic violence: Report

After no less than five NFL players have been hit with separate instances of domestic violence or child abuse charges in the past week,  Eli Manning became one of the first high-profile players to speak out publicly against the rash of abuse off the field that is wracking the league.

The Giants quarterback mixed his disdain for the incidents with a plea for his fellow NFL players to put an end to domestic violence for the good of children like Adrian Peterson’s beaten son and the league as a whole.

“You hate to see a child being hurt. . . . You don’t like seeing those things or hearing about ’em,” Manning said to reporters Wednesday.

“Try to go home and hug your own children. It makes you want to hopefully not put them in harm’s way,” said Manning.

The two-time Super Bowl champion — who has two small girls, ages 1 and 3, with his wife, Abby — didn't try to lay blame on anyone specific but said it's up to the players to repair the damage that the domestic violence and child abuse issues that have turned the the NFL and league commissioner Roger Goodell into media punching bags.

“Obviously those are serious issues. … We can’t accept that as players, we can’t accept that from our teammates and around the league,” Manning said. “The message is out that you can’t mess with domestic violence, and everybody should know that. Hopefully, things get cleared up and cleaned up and guys can learn from this, and we don’t make these mistakes, and the NFL can learn from this, and we can go on and start getting back to football. Our team hasn’t been having to deal with that issue personally, but when it’s on TV every day obviously you’re aware of it.

“And we don’t like when the NFL gets a black eye on anything.”

Panthers owner breaks down discussing domestic violence during ceremony (VIDEO)

Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson, who was the recipient of the Echo Award Against Indifference Wednesday night, ended his acceptance speech with a tearful and passionate statement while discussing the mounting cases of domestic violence in the NFL and in the world in general.

While a cloud of controversy surrounds his own team, in the wake of defensive end Greg Hardy’s domestic violence case and the NFL’s indefinite suspension of former Ravens running back Ray Rice as the league's biggest story, Richardson addressed the audience with his own emotional take:

“When it comes to domestic violence, my stance is not one of indifference. I stand firmly against domestic violence, plain and simple. To those who would suggest we’ve been too slow to act, I ask that you consider to not be too quick to judge. Over the course of our 20 years, we have worked extremely hard to build an organization with integrity and earn the trust of your community. I look forward to continuing to earn your trust and I thank you for this award.”

After the ceremony, Richardson didn't talk with reporters or to TV cameras as he was rushed out of the ceremony.

Hardy was found guilty of threatening to kill his ex-girlfriend by a North Carolina judge in July. A week later, the Panthers made it clear they will wait for the NFL to decide on any discipline for Hardy.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell — who was scheduled to attend the gala for his good friend Richardson but didn't show — stated that the league will make no decisions until the case is complete.

Hardy’s jury trial is scheduled for Nov. 17, but many assume that will be pushed into 2015.

Ray Rice's shocking punch to fiancee's face inside elevator emerges (VIDEO)

Everyone has already seen the aftermath of Ray Rice's argument with his fiancee Janay Palmer when he dragged her out of an Atlantic City elevator last winter. Now new footage of the NFL player actually landing a punch to Palmer's face inside the elevator has surfaced and the NFL reportedly saw it before handing down its weak two-game suspension as punishment.

TMZ Sports has obtained raw video of the vicious punch that knocked his then-fiancee (now wife) out — surely adding more controversy to Roger Goodell's wrist-slap of a penalty for Rice's brutal attack — in light of the league's tougher stand on domestic violence.

An employee of the hotel  — which just shut down for good -- tells TMZ Sports he was working there at the time and says the NFL saw the elevator footage before imposing the 2-game suspension.

The Feb. 15th incident took place at the Revel Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City — after the Baltimore Ravens running back and Palmer got into a heated argument on their way into the elevator. 

Inside the elevator it's apparent he strikes first ... she hits back ... and then Rice delivers the knockout blow.

The punch knocks Palmer off her feet — and she smashes her head on the elevator hand rail — knocking her out cold. An seemingly unfazed Ray then drags the unconscious woman out of the elevator into the hotel lobby.

After facing the media together, Ray and Palmer got married one month after the attack. 

The gossip site said it has reached out to the NFL for comment several times about the new footage but has not received a response.

 

Bon Jovi, Goodell had business lunch amidst Bills sale: Report

A day after the Buffalo Bills officially proceeded with the process of selling the team, one of the team's most prominent suitors reportedly had a long business lunch with the man who heads the NFL.

According to the New York Post, Jon Bon Jovi and Commissioner Roger Goodell spent two hours at lunch on Thursday and — it's a sure bet the Bills situation was the main course.

“They were definitely talking business,” an unnamed source told the Post.  “Jon was taking notes — he had a pen and paper with him at the table.”

Bon Jovi, a founder and former owner of the Arena Football League’s Philadelphia Soul, has joined Toronto-based investment group Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment in a bid to buy the Bills.

The Canadian group already owns the NHL Maple Leafs, the NBA’s Raptors franchise and MLS soccer club Toronto FC.

“It’s no secret that Jon’s passion is to become an NFL owner,” said a source close to the Jersey rocker.

Other potential bidders for the Bills — up for sale after the death of owner Ralph Wilson in March — include Donald Trump, former Bills quarterback Jim Kelly and former Buffalo Sabres owner Tom Golisano.

Several expected bidders would keep the team in Buffalo.  Ultimately, the question is whether those bids will be better than the bids made by those who would want to move the team.

Sale of the franchise is expected to go for more than $1 billion.

NFL to consider 15-yard penalty for use of N-word: Report

Recent racial slurs from Richie Incognito and Riley Cooper, in the locker room and a public setting respectively, have tested the limits of the NFL policy on tolerance off the field. But a radical rule change— which one group is proposing to the league — will penalize players for the use of the N-word on the playing field as well

The new penalty, which will be automatic 15-yards if a player uses the N-word, is set to be introduced during the league’s owner’s meetings in March, according to a CBS Sports report.

John Wooten, who heads up the Fritz Pollard Alliance which pays attention to diversity in the NFL, says he expects the NFL’s competition committee to suggest creating a rule penalizing players who use the offensive word on the field during play — where it is apparently prevalent.

The rule would also include the potential for players to get ejected from the game, if they use the word a second time.

Wooten, who was at the NFL Combine on Friday, said he wants to completely erase the word from being used in the NFL.

"I will be totally shocked if the competition committee does not uphold us on what we're trying to do,” he said. "We want this word to be policed from the parking lot to the equipment room to the locker room. Secretaries, PR people, whoever, we want it eliminated completely and want it policed everywhere."

Wooten spoke about his desire to completely eradicate the word from NFL workplaces at the Fritz Pollard event during the combine, wanting it to be fineable and policed throughout team facilities. He received a standing ovation according to those in attendance. Wooten said he will continue being vigilant about this with the NFL office and Commissioner Roger Goodell.

The NFL has yet to comment on Wooten’s idea, but he remains extremely hopeful the rule will be passed because “there is too much disrespect in the game”.

Just wondering if this will lead to penalties for other offensive terms like the F-word or Redskins? 

Ed Reed offers $20K reward for turnovers on 'Wanted' T-shirts

The takeaway-starved New York Jets are apparently trying to buy their fumbles and INTs against the Baltimore Ravens this week.

Two members of the defensive secondary, Antonio Cromartie and Ed Reed, showed up Thursday in the team's locker room wearing identical black T-shirts that featured an old Western "Wanted" poster on the front.

The shirt includes a picture of a football and the words: "WANTED: In the air or on the ground. $20,000."

In the post-BountyGate NFL, the Wild West-style incentive may cause a ruckus but Cromartie said he got the shirt from Reed, who told reporters: "No, I'm not offering 20 grand for a turnover. I like how you tried to work that. It's a shirt, man. I like how you did that. It's funny how you guys twist our words."

The Jets are 28th in interceptions and 30th in the league in fumble recoveries. Overall, the Jets and the San Diego Chargers are tied for last in the NFL with seven takeaways this season — not something most expected from a team led by the defensive-minded head coach Rex Ryan.

Hopefully, Roger Goodell won't go all Wyatt Earp on the guys.

Jonathan Martin says nothing while arriving for 'bullying' meeting with NFL's investigator

A smiling Jonathan Martin said nothing to reporters as he entered a Midtown Manhattan law office early Friday morning. The Miami Dolphins offensive lineman was scheduled to meet with Ted Wells, the prominent attorney appointed by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to review charges that Martin's teammates verbally and physically abused him.

Martin's lawyer, David Cornwell, maintained that Martin endured a "malicious physical attack and "daily vulgar comments."

Martin and a companion arrived at Wells’ Manhattan office and were met by a crush of cameras and reporters. The "bullied" lineman smiled but did not respond to questions while entering the building.

Teammate Richie Incognito was suspended indefinitely by the Dolphins for his role in the alleged mistreatment. Incognito has denied any wrongdoing, and filed a non-injury grievance against the Dolphins for suspending him.

Roger Goodell wants NFL teams in both London and Los Angeles

As the Jaguars and 49ers gear up for the kick-off in London Sunday, the topic of a team playing overseas is once again at the forefront of the NFL discussion. But would the league prefer a franchise in London or a franchise back in Los Angeles?

Speaking at a fan forum for Euro NFLers on Saturday, Goodell said he wants "both" and he doesn't care which one happens first.

"It doesn't matter," Goodell said. "I'd love to be back in Los Angeles. But it has to be done the right way, we have to do it successfully ... I want both [London and LA], but it doesn't matter which one is first."

It feels inevitable that fans will eventually get both — despite the objections of most team owners and players. After all, what Roger Goodell wants, he usually gets. The NFL could also force the issue and get a team in LA and a team in London in the next five years.

Goodell understands that it "has to be done the right way," and the right way is hard to pull off. The transition needs to appear somewhat seamless and bring the popularity of the NFL brand across the pond without creating any waves.

The commish appears to think that the fans overseas are open to bringing a franchise to London.

"You are proving you are worthy of a franchise," Goodell said to the Europeans.

Let's see how they feel after watching the Jaguars play.

Native American tribe urging NFL to sack 'Redskins' name via radio ads

An American Indian tribe in upstate New York said Thursday it will launch a radio ad campaign pushing for the Washington Redskins to shed a name often criticized as offensive.

The Oneida Indian Nation said the first ad will run on radio stations in Washington before the team hosts the Philadelphia Eagles in its season opener Monday night. In the ad, Oneida Indian Nation representative Ray Halbritter says NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell should "stand up to bigotry" by denouncing "the racial slur" in the team's name.

"We do not deserve to be called redskins," the Oneida leader says in the ad. "We deserve to be treated as what we are  — Americans."

The radio ad said Goodell had rightly been critical this summer after the Eagles wide receiver Riley Cooper was caught on video making a racial slur against African-Americans.

The ads launch as the Washington Redskins this year face a fresh barrage of criticism over their nickname, with local leaders and pundits calling for a name change. In May, 10 members of Congress sent letters to Redskins owner Dan Snyder and Goodell urging the team to change the name.

Snyder has vowed to never change the name and there was no immediate response from the Redskins organization.

The Oneida said the first ad will run Sunday and Monday on several stations in Washington — except on the station owned by Snyder.

WTEM, also known as ESPN 980, vetoed the advertisement instantly, according to an email stream that the Oneida Nation shared with USA TODAY Sports.  Lewis Schreck, the radio station's senior vice president, used two words and seven exclamation points to reject the ad. "No way!!!!!!!"

Subsequent ads will run in Washington during home games and in the cities hosting the team when it is away. A spokesman for the Oneidas would not say how much the campaign would cost beyond "multiple thousands."

NFL to hang anti-discrimination posters in all 32 teams' locker rooms

It looks like rumors that an NFL player(s) publicly coming out as gay has already prepped players for the possibility that they could be sharing a locker room together but, if they didn't get the implied message of tolerance from the league, the NFL announced that it will be putting their anti-discrimination policies in writing and on the walls of every one of those locker rooms.

At the urging of New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, the NFL has written a new game plan to fight discrimination against gays.  The league said it will hang posters in the locker rooms of all 32 teams detailing the by-laws of its anti-discriminatory policies.

The groundbreaking blitz to step up awareness against discrimination will be reinforced by special training sessions with rookies and with team staffers involved with recruiting and signing players.

Schneiderman got involved in March after at least three college football players said they had reportedly been asked about their sexual orientation during recruitment interviews at the NFL Scouting Combines earlier in the year.

The questions came after Notre Dame star linebacker Manti Te’o was revealed to have had an online relationship with a man pretending to be a woman. Te'o claims he was not questioned about his own sexual orientation.

The attorney general warned NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell in a letter that New York State laws make it illegal for an employer to base a hiring decision on sexual orientation. And as a business based on New York, the NFL must comply with the law, he said.

This led to the two parties getting together and coming to a resolution.

Goodell said he believes the NFL proved to Schneiderman that it has had a longstanding anti-discrimination policy and is taking the issue seriously.

“I think they felt that we were doing the right things,” he said.

The NFL said it soon will “reiterate and reinforce” its policy in writing to the players, teams and staff.

“This is something that is very important to us and we have the right policies in place to support it,” Goodell said.

Locker room camera catches Australian football player inspecting his ... you know what

When the NFL announced plans to put cameras in the players' locker room during games to show spectators what goes on behind the scenes on stadium Jumbotrons, they knew the idea would be met some skepticism and even some "Free Willy" jokes. What the NFL hopes will become an enticement to lure fans to an actual NFL game has become a public relations nightmare for one Australian football team that already videotapes the players when they least expect it.

Ricky Henderson — not that Ricky Henderson — a player for the Adelaide Crows in the Australian Football League, was caught by Fox Footy TV cameras at halftime inspecting his penis after he suffered a groin injury during the match. The locker room footage was being televised on tape delay – but it wasn’t blacked out and now everyone has gotten a chance to see Henderson’s privates. Later in the telecast, the announcers mocked the fact that everyone watching the game had seen the unwitting player's joint.

Worse yet, the Footy footage has gone viral.




Tape delays or not — all it takes is one iPhone from one of 60,000 fans in attendance to capture footage like this and — click — at the press of a button it's all over the Internet.

Fox Footy has apologized for the slip, but said they won't be getting rid of the cameras in the locker room.  The furious members of the Adelaide Football Club said they will be seeking apologies from the announcers and a guarantee it won't happen again.

The embarrassing moment for Henderson now raises a lot of questions about Roger Goodell's decision to tantalize fans with a locker room camera.

NFL to show stadium locker rooms during games

Ever been curious about what goes on in an NFL locker room during a game? Well the National Football League thinks you do and, starting this fall, will bring fans all the live-action that goes on when the players are off the field.

According to the NFL.com website, cameras will be place into all home team locker rooms with selected footage to get aired inside the stadiums.  The use of the cameras is mandatory NFL spokesman Greg Aiello confirmed, and no team will be exempt from airing footage.

Placing cameras in the locker room is being promoted as an incentive to lure fans from their state-of-the-art, 60-inch flat screens by giving them something they can't get at home. Another thing fans — some who can't afford $9 beers and $6 hot dogs on top of a PSL — probably don't have at home is the luxuriousness of an NFL locker room — or the cleanliness either.

Rising prices and better HD technology have given fans just a couple of reasons to stay at home in their man-caves.  Now, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is attempting to turn the games into an all-round interactive experience that you can't get on your Cheeto-covered living room sofa.

The idea isn't as novel as it sounds.  The XFL — remember He Hate Me? — brought cameras into the locker rooms back in 2000.  The next year the league shut down.

What's next for the NFL? The 3-point PAT?

MetLife Stadium game time weather report: Cold with snow showers!

Roger Goodell has been saying that the 2014 New Jersey-New York Super Bowl will be a barometer for other open-air stadiums in cold weather cities to host future Super Bowl games or  make Jersey's own Joe Flacco stop whining.

According to Goodell — comfortably from the 70-degrees New Orleans temps and climate-controlled Mercedes-Benz Superdome — he hopes temperatures at next year's Super Bowl game at MetLife Stadium "are not extreme."

Well, let's say we get a head start for next year's big game and pretend it was held in swamps of Jersey tonight — fans better forewarned to bring their parkas, boots and wear long johns under their team colors.

After a light dusting of snow this morning, The Weather Channel predicts temperatures of about 30-degrees at the opening kick-off and a few snow showers during the game.

By the time one team is holding up the Lombardi trophy, the temps will drop to 28-degrees but it will feel like an arctic 21-degrees out by Paterson-Plank Road.

Romantics may find the cold and the snow reminiscent of the great NFL and AFL Championship games before the first Super Bowl.  Warm weather fans might just wish they were back in the bars of Bourbon Street or the beaches in Miami.

Remember, those old games were played during the daytime, before television networks took over the show.

As someone who has spent many nights shivering through a Sunday night Giants game up in the nose-freeze section, let me tell you it gets friggin' cold out in the Meadowlands — especially when the wind churns up and they shut down the bars at halftime.

Hopefully, visitors to New York next year will just chalk up a cold spell as part of the Super Bowl experience.

The worst part of the cold weather is that it probably means the singing acts will all be lip-synching.  Sorry Beyonce.