This year’s NFL Draft had a few talking points, like Danny Shelton giving Roger Goodell a bear hug after being selected by the Browns. Prior to that, the commissioner was involved in another moment that was widely discussed, one that he ended up apologizing for.
With the second overall pick, the Titans selected Marcus Mariota. However, when Goodell made the announcement he pronounced “Mariota” as “Marioto.”
Ironically, Mariota wasn’t aware due to the noise and didn’t find out until Goodell called him to apologize.
“Everyone was cheering so loud that I wasn’t able to actually hear it,” Mariota said on 104.5 The Zone in Nashville, via ESPN. “He gave me a call probably half an hour later. He apologized, and I’m like, ‘I have no idea what you’re talking about.’ But he was really apologetic and I truly respect that for sure.”
An inauspicious start to Marcus Mariota’s NFL career, to say the least.
Roger Goodell has received his share of criticism recently, some of it warranted, but he should be commended this time for reaching out to Mariota after the mispronunciation.
