National Football League

Goodell flubs Mariota's name, but No. 2 pick doesn't even notice

Published Apr. 30, 2015 8:29 p.m. ET

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Sid Saraf

He had months to prepare.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell didn't have the best start to the 2015 NFL Draft on Thursday in Chicago. First, he got roundly booed by the fans in attendance — and every vulture on social media — at the start of the evening.

Then, it came time to announce the second overall pick of the night: Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota to the Tennessee Titans. Say it with us now: "Mariota".

This is what the commish came up with:

What was that? Did he say ... "Mariotoe"? That's not correct. At all.

However, it might be fair to cut him a break. How many of you wouldn't get flustered standing in front of a chorus of boos and jeers?

And the man whose name he butchered, the reigning Heisman winner, already has given Goodell a pass. Speaking from his native Hawaii where he was watching the festivities in Chicago on TV, told The Associated Press:

"I didn't even hear it because I was on the phone, but I'm sure my parents will talk to me about that later."

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