Goodell: NFL can't punish Cooper
The NFL will not discipline Riley Cooper.
Commissioner Roger Goodell said Thursday that he will let the Philadelphia Eagles punish the fourth-year wide receiver, whose racially insensitive comments emerged Wednesday, without additional penalties from the league because of the league's collective bargaining agreement prevents it.
Goodell said on ESPN’s “Mike & Mike in the Morning” that Cooper’s comments were “obviously wrong, insensitive and unacceptable” and then added “He’s accepted responsibility for it, he has spoken to his team, he has been disciplined by the club, and will go through some training with the club to understand.
"I'm glad to see the club stepped up and took a decisive action quickly, and that's the important part of this. We do not penalize at the club level and the league level for the same instance. That's not something that we do (per the collective bargaining agreement) ... We will not be taking action separately from the club."
Cooper was caught on video, which went public Wednesday, using a racial slur at a concert in June. He apologized to his teammates and others for the remarks.
''This is the lowest of lows,'' Cooper said. ''This is not the type of person I want to be portrayed as. This isn't the type of person I am. I'm extremely sorry.''
Cooper said he was drinking when he directed the slur at an African-American security guard at the concert.
''That's no excuse for what I said. I don't use that term,'' he said. ''I was raised better than that. I have a great mom and dad and they're disgusted with my actions.''
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
-
2024-25 NFL MVP odds: Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen early favorites
Broncos' Bo Nix wows Sean Payton with array of impressive passes at minicamp
Chargers rookie Brenden Rice, Jerry Rice's son, feels he has plenty to prove
-
Austin Rivers calls out James Jones for career critique; Jones responds
NFL's 5 most improved teams of the offseason
NFL's 5 least improved teams of the offseason: Cowboys or Bills more disappointing?
-
Julian Edelman reveals backstage tension between Kraft, Belichick at Brady roast
Pats' No. 3 pick Drake Maye wraps up first taste of NFL at rookie minicamp
Tom Brady admits his departure from Patriots was due to Bill Belichick
-
2024-25 NFL MVP odds: Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen early favorites
Broncos' Bo Nix wows Sean Payton with array of impressive passes at minicamp
Chargers rookie Brenden Rice, Jerry Rice's son, feels he has plenty to prove
-
Austin Rivers calls out James Jones for career critique; Jones responds
NFL's 5 most improved teams of the offseason
NFL's 5 least improved teams of the offseason: Cowboys or Bills more disappointing?
-
Julian Edelman reveals backstage tension between Kraft, Belichick at Brady roast
Pats' No. 3 pick Drake Maye wraps up first taste of NFL at rookie minicamp
Tom Brady admits his departure from Patriots was due to Bill Belichick