Late Thursday night, Pro Football Talk writes that Roger Goodell's personal phone call with Chad Ochocinco on Thursday could open "a potential can of worms" because coaches were threatened that any contact with players would result in their termination without pay.
What was the inspiration for their post?
@nflcommish Can you call me please?Not about the lockout but it's about the trip to London,can u change the teams going based on where I go?
Goodell called him.
I just received the most amazing surprise phone call from @nflcommish.He called to see how I was doing and asked how my workouts were #EPIC
#Truth I was nervous as hell when @nflcommish called me earlier, just the thought of him taking the time out to call is cool as fudge.
Now, the point of their conversation isn't that big of a deal. As PFT writes:
So now the question becomes whether teams know that they can engage in “normal social interaction” with players. And then the question becomes how “normal social interaction” would ever be policed.
Bengals fans are well aware that social interactions between players and coaches are fine. Bengals defensive end Antwan Odom lost his Mason house to an overnight fire. The Bengals organization, including the coaches, were trying to reach out to Odom.
Bengals spokesman Jack Brennan explained that it was fine to reach out to players, provided it's not about business.
“For just an expression of concern it’s OK to contact him. There is no business-related contact with players during the lockout, but for a personal matter such as this we are at least able to try to reach him.”