This morning, @NFLCommish & I met w @Strong_TexasFB to discuss core values, game integrity, & college relations. Great meeting, great input.
— Troy Vincent (@TroyVincent23) September 28, 2014
.@Strong_TexasFB’s emphasis on character & respect over talent is molding the next generation of football talent. Standards are key.
— Troy Vincent (@TroyVincent23) September 28, 2014
Commissioner and I are focused on strengthening relationships with colleges. Thank you for your time today @Strong_TexasFB
— Troy Vincent (@TroyVincent23) September 28, 2014
Goodell was in Austin to visit the headquarters of the National Domestic Violence Hotline, following up on the NFL’s pledge to commit to significant resources to preventing domestic violence in light of the league’s recent run of bad press. Strong has garnered a different kind of coverage after doubling the number of drug tests administered by his predecessor and kicking nine players off the team for failing to meet the standards of his infamous core values - “Honesty”, “Treat Women With Respect”, “No Drugs”, “No Stealing”, and “No Drugs.”
“He’s setting a precedent,” Vincent told Yahoo Sports. “He’s taking a stand on the front lines.” Yahoo reported the league has been impressed by the stances Strong has taken in instilling discipline, specifically mentioning the dismissals of wide receivers Kendall Sanders and Montrel Meander after the pair were charged with felony sexual assault in July - which, oddly enough, is a move most other college head coaches would have made as well.
While the NFL praises Strong’s values, many have wondered if they will ultimately work against Texas in recruiting. Longhorns coaches have responded with raised eyebrows and incredulous expressions.
“I hope they do because I think it’s a positive,” defensive coordinator Vance Bedford said of the possibility that Strong’s hardline stances could be used as negative recruiting by rival staffs. “If someone is using it as a negative against us and I go into [see] parents I’ll go, ‘Oh, really. So it’s okay for you in your home to let your son do whatever they want whenever they want to do it?’ They’re going to say no, so what’s the difference?”
Speaking of recruiting, Vincent offered the money quote that the Texas staff should get in every high school and living room in a thousand mile radius. “If I’m a parent and I’m looking to send my son or daughter – especially my daughter – to the University of Texas, that coach is saying this is important,” Vincent said. “We believe this is a model that should be emulated across the country in both amateur and professional football.”