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Unguarded with Rachel Nichols
NFL Commissioner Holds News Confrernce; Jim Kelly Talks about His Fight with Cancer; Jerry Rice Talks about Domestic Violence
Aired September 19, 2014 - 22:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ANNOUNCER: Tonight on "Unguarded with Rachel Nichols." After a week of silence, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell finally talks.
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ROGER GOODELL, NFL COMMISSIONER: I let myself down. I let everybody else down for. And, for that I am sorry.
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ANNOUNCER: Hall of Fame Quarterback, Jim Kelly, on fighting for his life. And, that fateful day doctors told him he had jaw cancer.
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JIM KELLY, HALL OF FAME QUARTERBACK: Tears started coming out. Because how am I going to tell my daughters. How am I going to tell my wife?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANNOUNCER: And, another hall of famer, Jerry Rice weighs in on the NFL's domestic violence cases.
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JERRY RICE, NFL HALL OF FAMER: It is really disappointing to me, because I believe when you wear that NFL logo, you have to represent the NFL a certain way.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
RACHEL NICHOLS, CNN HOST OF "UNGUARDED": Welcome to "Unguarded." It has been another week of scandals in the NFL. Fans are outraged. Sponsors are pulling away. And, yet, new incidents accompanied by stomach turning police reports have just kept coming. Now, after nine days out of the public eye, Commissioner Roger Goodell finally gave a news conference this afternoon. Take a listen.
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GOODELL: At our best, the NFL sets an example that makes a positive difference. Unfortunately, over the past several weeks, we have seen all too much of the NFL doing wrong. That starts with me. I got it wrong in the handling of the Ray Rice matter. And, I am sorry for that.
I got it wrong on a number of levels, from the process that I led to the decision that I reached. But, now I will get it right and do whatever is necessary to accomplish that. We will implement new conduct policies. They will have a set of clear and transparent rules for league and club personnel, owners and players.
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NICHOLS: Now, Roger Goodell's news conference lasted about 45 minutes. And, I do want to give him some credit here for finally standing in that open forum and answering some pretty pointed questions. Now, the session did close before another damaging report came out.
This time from ESPN, alleging that the Ravens were complicit in a cover-up, that they knew how bad the Ray Rice incident really was the whole time. We are going to have to wait and see the repercussions of that. But, Goodell did address some other issues, mainly that the NFL will be consulting with a panel of experts to completely revamp the personal conduct policy.
That is the policy that covers the way players are punished, who does the punishing. Remember right know, it is Roger Goodell who has sole power in that area. He is judge, jury and executioner. So, I asked him today what might change.
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NICHOLS: Roger, you have had extreme unilateral power in deciding discipline. But, as you have said a few times, you have gotten wrong in a few cases and that tends to happen when there are no checks and balances. How willing are you to give up some of that power? And, do you think that, that would be the right thing for you to do?
GOODELL: Well, Rachel, as I have said in my statement, everything is on the table. We are going to make sure that we look at every aspect of the process of how we gather information to make a decision, how we make that decision and then the appeals process.
And, all of that is on the table and all of that is, is, important information that we want outside experts to give us perspective on. And, see if there is a better way to do it. We believer there is and we believe we need it. We cannot continue to operate like this.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NICHOLS: All right. So, now I want to bring in one of the other big names at the center of this crisis. DeMaurice Smith is the Executive Director of the NFL Players' Association. Welcome.
DEMAURICE SMITH, NFL PLAYERS' ASSOCIATION EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Thank you. NICHOLS: So, we heard Roger Goodell talking about making a
significant overhaul of the personal conduct policy. What do you think of that? And, as the union going to have any say in how that shapes up?
SMITH: Well, the personal conduct policy is something that, Roger and I have spent a tremendous amount of time talking about, perhaps not necessarily agreeing about; but, hearing that they intend to have a discussion about overhauling that system is something that the union will have to be a part of.
NICHOLS: Year round, you guys are really the nerve center for the players in the NFL. If they need something, they call you. If they get in trouble, they call you. So, what has it been like inside your offices for the past two weeks?
SMITH: Well, you know, first and foremost, the message coming from our players is that 99 percent, the overwhelming majority of our players are good husbands, good fathers, good members of their community. And yes, we do have an occasion where people engage in misconduct. And we hate that. I hate that -- that it, that what it means for the relationships that they are in. But, I know it does not represent the majority of the players.
NICHOLS: And, as all of the cases have developed, one of the biggest frustrations the public has had is that the NFL seemed to be leveeing the punishments with an etch-a-sketch, right? I mean scribble something out. Then there is a public backlash.
So, let us just shake, erase and scribble something else out. Now, today, Roger Goodell did address steps to try to change that. But, why do you guys as a union think that, that has been such a problem, especially with the public trust here?
SMITH: Well, look, you not only want to do something to address the issue, but I think you always want to do it in a way where you are -- making sure that people understand that there is a right process. That people have a belief in the fundamental fairness and justice of the process.
NICHOLS: There is something to have faith in right now. It feels like if you are on the side lines watching this.
SMITH: Have faith in the players. We are going to get this right. And, that is one of the reasons why we have been thinking what to do to educate and provide leadership to our players. The things that we need I think to address in the discipline process, system. But have faith in the players and I have faith in them. I have the pleasure of having this job and I know we are going to get it right.
NICHOLS: All right. Thanks for joining us.
SMITH: Thank you.
NICHOLS: We will all be watching closely as the situation unfolds for sure. SMITH: Thanks for having me.
NICHOLS: All right. So, how about changing things up now with a good news football story. Have not heard one of those in a while, right? Well, you will want to stay with us after this break. A very emotional interview with hall of fame quarterback, Jim Kelly. Kelly described his triumph over cancer and the people who helped them along the way.
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KELLY: To see their faces, and to see them cheer, and know that they came in there for me. I needed that.
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NICHOLS: I am Rachel Nichols. Welcome back to "Unguarded." Former Buffalo Bills Quarterback, Jim Kelly, was elected to the hall of fame after a spectacular career, that included four consecutive Super Bowl appearances.
But, it is how spectacular a person he is that has long won him the hearts of fans. They were with him a decade ago as his young son went through a very public illness before passing away.
And, they were with him over this past year as Kelly himself battled two different forms of cancer. Finally, just a few weeks ago his family got the news they were waiting for. Kelly's doctors declared him cancer-free. And, shortly afterwards he sat down with us.
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NICHOLS: Congratulations. What did it feel like to sit in that doctor's office and hear those words?
KELLY: Oh, it was without a doubt incredible. Just to tell family that everything came back negative. That there were no signs of cancer from the parts that were radiated. Yes, it definitely makes you feel good.
NICHOLS: It has been such a special couple of months for you. You got to participate in your football camp. You got to go to the hall of fame. What was it like, slipping that hall of fame jacket on again? Did it fit?
KELLY: No. When I knew I lost 50 pounds. I said I better try some of my clothes on. Because I -- I wear sweats a lot.
NICHOLS: Right.
KELLY: So, I put that jacket on. My brother looks at me. He said, "Grady! What's up?" I said, "What?" He said, "You look like Grady Wilson from Sanford and Son. That jacket is so big." I started laughing. I go, "You got to be kidding me." I looked in the mirror and I go, "Oh, my goodness." So, I had to go to get my hall of fame jacket taken in. NICHOLS: Your former teammate, Andre Reed was inducted. And, he was
great, because he used part of his speech, his time left there to talk about you.
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ANDRE REED, FORMER PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL PLAYER: But the toughest individual I have ever met in my life is Jim Kelly, number 12. Jim, you have endured a lot in your life. The loss of a son and most recently your battle with cancer. You are an inspiration to all those you touch.
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NICHOLS: When did that toughness form for you, when did you realize how tough you really are?
KELLY: I do not know. Probably, growing of in the family, six boys. My dad was a boxer, so we would box in the garage and put football helmets on us. And, we beat the heck each other. So, I got that and I start doing that with my daughters?
NICHOLS: You did not in a football helmet and box with them, did you?
KELLY: No.
NICHOLS: OK. Just checking.
KELLY: But, when my daughters would fall down. And, I would see that they are not hurt. I would say, get up. You will be all right. You will be tough.
NICHOLS: You could use that expression, Kelly tough through out your treatment. It really became a rallying cry. What do you remember from the moments, the conversations, when you first heard those words, you have cancer when the doctor first told you?
KELLY: Well, it was tough on me. I noticed when he came over and started talking to me. He turned around, walked over. He shut the door. And, when he shut the door, I knew that it was not going to be good news. I walked out of the doctor's office. First, I got to the car. Tears started coming out, because how am I going to tell my daughters? How am I going to tell my wife?
NICHOLS: Chemotherapy. 35 radiation treatments. Is that as brutal as it sounds?
KELLY: When I was going through the first parts of my chemo, my radiation, it was hard. At times, there are six, seven bags hooked up.
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KELLY: Feels good.
MOLLY KELLY: Yes? (END VIDEO CLIP)
KELLY: Every 15 minutes I was throwing up. And, that was probably the toughest part for my wife, because she saw what I was going through. And, there were times she did not know if I was going to make it because I was in bad shape.
NICHOLS: How did the experiences you had with your son influence you during your treatment? He had died at the age of 8.
KELLY: One of the things that probably hurt my wife a little bit when I spoke about, "Well, maybe the good Lord wants me to see hunter before you do." And, she said "Do not ever say that." And, I told him that. "Hunter, I want to see you, buddy, but I am not done yet."
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NICHOLS: Not done yet indeed. Please stay with us through this break. We got a lot more from Jim Kelly including the help he got from a long-time rival, Dolphins' Quarterback, Dan Marino. And, with some very unexpected famous faces.
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KELLY: I mean I had people like Burt Reynolds called me. Ric flair, the Wrestler.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NICHOLS: Welcome back to "Unguarded." I am Rachel Nichols. And, we have been talking to Hall of Fame Quarterback, Jim Kelly about battling the cancer that has spread through his jaw, cheekbone and nasal cavity. Now, doctors recently gave Kelly great news. He is now cancer-free. But, as he describes it was such a battle to get there.
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NICHOLS: What were some of the specific goals that you kept in mind in the hospital in the tougher times?
KELLY: Just get through it and to be strong. There were times where -- when I was by myself I was not very strong, because when you are by yourself, you start thinking, you thinking too much. I do not care if I am a football player, if Kelly Tough or whatever it is. I needed some support mentally. Then when my family would come which was most of the time it would take my mind off of it.
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MOLLY: Just in time.
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NICHOLS: Dan Marino walking through that hospital door. Must have been quite a sight.
KELLY: I never in a million years thought that, that the outcry, the support that I have gotten. I mean, I had people like, Burt Reynolds called me. Ric Flair, the wrestler called me.
NICHOLS: And, then the day you left the hospital. The amazing group of people who are waiting outside for you, clapping. What was that like?
KELLY: They were a lot of my friends from buffalo. And, I was probably at the worst part of my physical being. How I felt. I had no energy. I lost 51 pounds. I felt terrible. I was hurting. My face was radiated so bad that it was just completely horrible. But to see their faces, to see their cheer, know they came here for me. I needed that.
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KELLY: Thank you, guys.
(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NICHOLS: Now, you were showing off to me before we sat down, that you do not have to shave one half of your face anymore. I know they gave you prosthetic jaw.
KELLY: Yes.
NICHOLS: And, that thing pops out, is that right?
KELLY: Yes. They removed my whole upper jaw up into the nasal cavity. I lost 75 percent of my hearing on the left side, and I have a prosthesis in. And, from the radiation, 35 radiation treatments, it pretty much has taken all the hair and everything off the side of my face. It does not grow back any more.
NICHOLS: Do you ever take the jaw out to scare your children or anything?
KELLY: It is funny you asked that. When I first had my prosthesis put in and jaw replaced, I told my wife, "Do not worry," and my kids. I said, "Do not worry, I will never take it out in front of you." Guess how long it took me?
NICHOLS: Half a day.
KELLY: Pretty close. I say a day or probably it was only half a day. Then I have a little thing. I am never going to do it on camera, sorry about that. But, I take it out and my kids call me J.K. swag. Because my personality totally changes. I joke with them.
I used to chase them around the room. But, I feel good now, except, I am not used to being, weak and frail. I lost a lot of my shoulders, my chest, my arms. I hate feeling weak. But, I am slowly getting into the process of building myself back up. And, I know it is going to take a long time. But, I am alive still. And, that is the main thing.
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NICHOLS: Amazing story. Now you heard Kelly say this is all still a process. He is still experiencing some pain. And, he is considering having a procedure on some of the tissue near his brain.
First, though, he is spending some time enjoying his family and his new lease on life. All right, from one hall of famer to another. Coming up, we got San Francisco, 49ers legend, Jerry Rice. And, he got some strong feelings on the crisis in the NFL and what Roger Goodell should do next.
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JERRY RICE, FORMER NFL PLAYER: He has been known as that type of commissioner to really put the hammer down. I think he needs to do that now.
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(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NICHOLS: I am Rachel Nichols. Welcome back to "Unguarded." If the events of the past couple of weeks has sometimes made it hard to remember what you love about football. Well, my next guest will remind you.
Jerry Rice is considered the greatest wide receiver to ever play the game. His career was synonymous with the word elegance and class. So, when we spoke earlier, I wanted his take on the crisis facing the NFL. Take a listen.
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NICHOLS: You are a hall of famer. You love this game as much as anyone. So, what has it been like for you of all people to turn on the T.V. every day, hear incident after incident that is tarnishing your sport?
JERRY RICE: You know, it is really disappointing to me, because I believe when you wear that NFL logo, when that is on your helmet, you have to represent the NFL a certain way. And, that is on the football field and also off the football field.
NICHOLS: And, the man most under fire right now, is not even the players, the guys under that helmet is may be Commissioner Roger Goodell. What is your take on how he has handled everything too?
