Roger Goodell quotes:

We're in a leadership position in sports. People look up to the National Football League.

I think the state of the NFL has a very positive outlook.

The draft is one of my favorite events because it is about football. People are focused on how their teams improve. It's a celebration of football. And most importantly, it represents a very important time in the lives of these men who are entering the NFL, and their families.

The way you continue to be a successful business is you don't wait for the car to go off the cliff. You have to manage yourself. And make sure you do it in the right way so you are not making decisions in crisis.

The one thing I would hope would go on my tombstone is, 'I made my parents proud.'

We will always make sure player health and safety is our No. 1 priority in the NFL.

The same mistakes can never be repeated.

You do not have to be convicted or even charged of a crime to be able to demonstrate that you've violated a personal conduct policy, and reflect poorly not only on themselves, but all of their teammates, every NFL player in the league, and everyone associated with the NFL.

I spent a lot of time in the school psychologist's office. I didn't apply myself. My mother thought I had learning disabilities.

I learned in high school that I was going to have to outwork people. I remember running around the track, training for football, and a faster guy ran past me. I just figured, I can outlast him. If I work harder than him, I'll beat him. And to this day I overprepare.

HGH testing is happening in Olympics. The science is there. It is a valid test.

It's not just the NFL. Every other league has a draft. It has been fundamental to the success of professional sports.

My goal was to prove to my family I wasn't a dummy.

I've spent my life following my passion.

The owners don't win by having a lockout. Shutting down your business is not good for anybody and it's certainly not good for the players, it's certainly not good for the fans. And that's most important to us.

One of the strong principles that I believe in is that you're always learning, whether you're a commissioner, a current general manager, a president or an owner, or somebody that's trying to become a general manger or a coach in the NFL.

I don't want players coming in from the college level that are either trying to avoid a suspension, declare themselves ineligible on their own, hire an agent and decide, 'I'm going to enter into the NFL.'

When you're thrust into litigation, you obviously have to make sure you're prepared to deal with that.

Change before you're forced to change.

Too much of our society looks for people to fail.

To me, what I love about the draft is; first, you see the young men who are realizing their dreams that they've worked so hard for. That's a pretty cool thing. You saw the emotion from some of these guys the other day. And then, the second thing is this total sense of hope and optimism. And, I think that's great for everybody.

I hold head coaches accountable.

You know that I'm always a proponent of doing things differently.

No one is above the game or the rules that govern it. Respect for the game and the people who participate in it will not be compromised.

I have to make a lot of decisions that aren't in the best interests of individuals, whether they be owners, club executives, players.

It's an awesome responsibility, not only to maintain the level of success the NFL has, but to build on that.

The NCAA has to establish their own rules and enforce their own rules.

I don't expect to try to get people to like everything I do. I want them to respect what I do.

I don't want players coming in from the college level that are either trying to avoid a suspension, declare themselves ineligible on their own, hire an agent and decide, 'I'm going to enter into the NFL.'"

It's always unfortunate when something gets misreported and the facts are not clear.

Bob Beaudine challenges you to think differently. His unique approach to life and business has helped elevate many careers.

Every game in the NFL is important.

I am awake a lot of nights.

I don't get myself caught up in the rhetoric of any personal comments that are made.

I take my responsibilities very seriously.

I talk to players all the time.

I think when someone is injured in your family, you want to speak to the individual and you want to hear their voice and you want to make sure they are OK.

Ignorance is not a suitable defense

I'm very fortunate, and I know that.

It is a privilege for me to serve the NFL. It is the only place I have ever wanted to work.

It is very common ... to tell graduates: dream and dream big. I say do more than that. When you dream you are in an unconscious state. It ends. You wake up. It's not real.

My job is to protect the integrity of the NFL and to make sure the game is as safe as possible.

The highest standards of conduct must be met by everyone in the NFL because it is a privilege to represent the NFL, not a right.

This is an opportunity to create a better future for the NFL, to improve the game for our fans, and to expand the economic benefits for the players and teams. Staying with the status quo is not an option. The world has changed for everyone, including the NFL and our fans. We must get better in everything we do ... If both sides compromise and give a little, everyone will get a lot, especially the fans.

When there's a pattern of mistakes, something has got to change.

Yes, NFL players deserve to be paid well. Unfortunately, economic realities are forcing everyone to make tough choices and the NFL is no different. These are not easy negotiations, but the outcome can be positive. If both sides give a little, everyone, including fans, will get a lot and the game will improve through innovation. Even in difficult economic times, a new CBA presents us with the opportunity to secure the future of our game.

You have to continue to learn. That's how you develop. So the people who show that curiosity, that ambition, that willingness to do what it takes to improve and to get better, they're the people who are going to be successful in the long term.