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FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- It may have been nothing more than a silly publicity stunt, or it may have been a sign of a major shift in the sports media: At NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell's annual "State of the League" press conference, Washington Redskins tight end Chris Cooley stood up and asked a question on behalf of Chad Ochocinco's upstart News Network.Cooley, wearing the trademark "OCNN" T-shirt that all of the Ochocinco News Network correspondents have worn this year, asked Goodell about his policy of fining players who break NFL rules, particularly rules related to their uniforms.
"Are there any alternatives to fining players cash?" Cooley asked, adding, "Maybe a spanking?"
Goodell laughed at that, but he then offered a serious answer.
"Nobody likes to get into the issue of fines or any kind of discipline, such as suspensions, but we do believe very firmly that there are rules in the NFL," Goodell said.
Specifically regarding uniforms, Goodell said it's important in a team sport for every player to be held to the same dress code.
"We've worked very closely with the Players' Association for years to maintain that standard," Goodell said.
The question wasn't a surprising one coming from Cooley, who has criticized the NFL in the past for fining players for infractions such as untucked jerseys and socks and towels that were the wrong length. But it has been something of a surprise during this Super Bowl week that Ochocinco, the Cincinnati Bengals' brash wide receiver, has made a real mark on media events with his team of Ochocinco News Network correspondents. Ochocinco says he's serious about the endeavor, although so far this week he and his correspondents have seemed more interested in joking around than breaking news.
For his part, Goodell turned Cooley's question into an opportunity to praise NFL players.
"Our players do so many great things on and off the field," Goodell said. "I believe with my heart that they are good people. They demonstrate that on a daily basis. We need to make sure people are focusing on that, and not the players who are making mistakes."
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