NEW YORK, Aug. 22 (UPI) -- Outgoing NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue criticized NFL Network announcer Bryant Gumbel for "inexcusable" remarks he made on HBO's "Real Sports."
Tagliabue, who will relinquish his position Sept. 1 to Commissioner Roger Goodell, said he would "talk to Roger and (network president) Steve (Bornstein) about the talent at the NFL Network, at least until next Thursday," USA Today reported Tuesday.
Gumbel raised Tagliabue's ire on his weekly HBO show by calling NFL team owners greedy billionaires and criticizing NFL Players Association Executive Director Gene Upshaw for his blind loyalty to Tagliabue.
The commissioner said he would remain with the league as a consultant for two years, but all administrative duties would go to Goodell.
"I think my main role is to disappear," Tagliabue said. "I think generally the best way to run an organization is for the person who's running it to be in charge and for the people who have had responsibility for running it previously to disappear for the most part.
"I'm glad it's over. It's the right time."
