USA Today Sports
Roger Goodell, the commissioner of the the National Football League, said Thursday that he’s not a “football expert” when asked on FS1’s First Things First if controversial free-agent quarterback Colin Kaepernick was good enough to make an NFL roster. Co-host Cris Carter first asked Goodell if he is “troubled by Kaepernick not being on an opening-day roster,” to which Goodell responded that the NFL is “always about meritocracy and opportunity” and “would like to see everyone get an opportunity, including Colin.” When co-host Nick Wright pressed him on whether Kaepernick is talented enough to make a roster, Goodell said: “One thing I do as a commissioner is, I don’t make those decisions. I’m not a football expert.” Goodell has been commissioner of the NFL for 11 years. Kaepernick has faced a firestorm for his decision last year to kneel during the pre-game playing of the national anthem to protest police brutality, and no team has signed him for this season.