Roger Goodell, the NFL Commissioner, expressed his shock over the shooting that took place in New York City earlier this week, labeling it an ‘attack on humanity.’ This statement came just days before the Hall of Fame game in Canton, Ohio, which marks the start of the new season.
Instead of attending the upcoming season opener, Goodell chose to remain in New York to pay his respects at the funeral of NYPD officer Didarul Islam, who tragically lost his life during the attack.
Speaking via NBC in the lead-up to the preseason game between the Detroit Lions and the Los Angeles Chargers, he emphasized the gravity of the situation: ‘This attack goes beyond individual victims. It’s an attack on our communities and our very way of life.’
Goodell acknowledged the need for collective efforts to support those suffering from crises: ‘We all must do our part to assist those in need and ensure we take necessary precautions.’
Touching on the status of a league employee severely injured in the shooting that claimed four lives, Goodell shared, ‘He is stable and improving.’ He spent time with his colleague, who is recovering in a local hospital, and remained hopeful about the future. ‘He’s a remarkable young man, and we’re optimistic about his recovery.’
Goodell further conveyed the emotional strain on families affected by this shooting, mentioning he met with the injured man’s family, underscoring the heavy burden of understanding and dealing with such violence.
As part of honoring the victims before the Hall of Fame game began, a moment of silence was observed by fans during the kickoff.
The suspect, Shane Devon Tamur, 27, entered the NFL building armed with an assault rifle before taking his own life. A note discovered on him stated he was suffering from CTE, a brain disease often found in former football players, and expressed animosity towards the NFL, as reported by a source.
During the interview, Mike Tirico referenced the note while questioning Goodell on the NFL’s status after such a turbulent event. Though Goodell didn’t address the shooter’s grievances directly, he did stress that ‘These instances of violence are occurring far too frequently in various aspects of our society—schools, places of worship, and anywhere else it shouldn’t happen.’
The commissioner reiterated the NFL’s ongoing commitment to ensuring safety in the workplace and across the league.
Reflecting on the incident earlier in the week, Goodell noted the inherent challenges the organization faces in processing the tragic events: ‘It’s been tough for all of us—all NFL staff must look after each other.’
On Wednesday, the NFL acknowledged the generous support they have received globally, with Goodell expressing hope that the league could help facilitate healing as the winning teams return to competition. ‘The NFL has a unique ability to unite people, and we plan to harness that moving forward,’ he affirmed.
The Chargers secured an impressive 34-7 victory over the Lions in their first preseason outing.
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