Roger Goodell is comfortable with security for the NFL's Paris game between the Steelers and Saints

NEW YORK (AP) — NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said Wednesday he has a high comfort level in the New Orleans Saints and Pittsburgh Steelers safely playing in Paris on Sunday in light of the civil unrest that could include more protests this weekend in the capital and elsewhere around France.

Goodell at the end of the annual fall owners meeting said he had spoken with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and that officials are in touch with Parisian and French authorities.

“We’ve made all the preparations,” Goodell said. “Protests are not unusual in France, as you know, and that’s something that we will be aware of and make sure that the appropriate arrangements are made.”

Saints general manager Mickey Loomis said in Versailles that the team’s plans have not been affected by the situation. They have been in France since Monday after flying directly from the New York area after playing at the Giants, while the Steelers are set to travel Thursday night.

“We’re continuing to make sure we have all the available information, make sure the appropriate steps are being made,” he said. "We’re guests in the country. We’re going to be good guests, and we’re going to do our thing. And I’m confident they’re going to do theirs. We look forward to it, and I’m leaving shortly to go myself."

New Orleans safety Justin Reid said he and other players are not worried.

Goodell defended the presence of Steve Tisch of the Giants and Jed York of the San Francisco 49ers, each of whom was in attendance for the two-day meeting.

Tisch remains executive vice president and chairman of the board after he and his siblings transferred their stakes to their children earlier this year. Tisch's name was mentioned more than 400 times in Jeffrey Epstein files released in January by the U.S. Justice Department.

After pledging at the Super Bowl there would be a review of Tisch's association with Epstein, Goodell said Wednesday, “Everything we’ve looked at, we understand and I think we’re comfortable with him participating as the Giants suggest.”

Asked if the investigation was ongoing, Goodell said: “I think always we’ll look to see if there’s any new information. We’ll look at it, and we’ll evaluate that.”

Tisch said he knew Epstein but denied going to his island.

York returned from his six-game suspension for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy. He was arrested in a prostitution sting in Ohio in August and pleaded no contest to two misdemeanors but was still punished by the league.

“We went through a full process, obviously, to understand the facts, to understand the issues,” Goodell said. “(We) looked at it under the context of our personal conduct policy, which applies to owners, commissioners, everybody else, players. And it’s something we feel strongly about. I think we need to represent ourselves and our organizations properly. We saw a violation, and we’ve dealt with it from a discipline standpoint. That’s concluded now, and so he’ll be back representing the 49ers.”

Executive VP of football operations Troy Vincent said the two officials who were suspended for their interactions with players earlier this season “crossed the line.” Line judge Jeff Seeman was banned two games for swearing at Arizona tight end Trey McBride, and referee Adrian Hill one game for yelling at Eric Wilson and pointing for him to get away after the Vikings linebacker tried to help him to his feet after a collision knocked him over.

Vincent called the reactions unacceptable, and Goodell said it was a matter of sportsmanship and professional conduct.

“We do want accountability of our officials, but we also want respect between the participants,” Goodell said. “It’s not just player to players. Officials play an important role out there, and they need to be held to the highest standards.”

AP Sports Writer Ken Maguire in Versailles, France, contributed to this report.

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NFL commissioner Roger Goodell speaks during a news conference at the NFL owners' meetings Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Executive Vice President and General Manager of the New Orleans Saints Mickey Loomis speaks during a press conference after an NFL football practice session in Versailles near Paris, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (12) during an NFL football practice session in Versailles near Paris, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)

New Orleans Saints team during an NFL football practice session in Versailles near Paris, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)

NEW YORK (AP) — The NFL welcomes an investigation into the Philadelphia Eagles’ handling of Jalen Hurts’ blood clots after the players’ union asked for one, Commissioner Roger Goodell said Wednesday.

Goodell said in his news conference at the end of the NFL’s annual fall meeting that Dr. Allen Sills, the league's chief medical officer, has gone through the steps that were followed and added that the union had a right to call for a review.

“Obviously, there was a medical evaluation, and I think our protocols were incredibly good there,” Goodell said. “The protocols were followed. Our process is to make sure that’s the case, and our chief medical officer has gone through that, so we’re comfortable that what we’ve seen in the protocols have happened.”

Sills on Tuesday offered a passionate defense of the Eagles medical staff. The NFL said officials were in touch with team doctors and trainers, as well as the Cleveland Clinic in London.

League executive vice president Jeff Miller said officials had a good sense of the course of events. He disputed a report that Hurts was awake for more than 30 hours before playing against Jacksonville on Oct. 11, saying that the QB returned to the hotel and slept for roughly seven or eight hours.

Hurts is on injured reserve and expected to miss the rest of the season after a blood clot in his left calf traveled to his lungs. The Eagles and agent Nicole Lynn said Monday that Hurts has deep vein thrombosis and bilateral pulmonary embolisms.

Goodell downplayed the role that international travel may have had in the situation.

“The most important thing here is Jalen’s health, ultimately, and the future of him,” Goodell said. “He’s a wonderful young man: not just a great player, but he’s someone we all care deeply about. I’m more worried about his health, ultimately, but the protocols were followed.”

Sills said Tuesday the decision to allow someone with a blood clot to fly depends on several variables, including the location, a patient's history and more.

“What I can tell you is expert people getting a lot of opinions,” Sills said. "This isn’t just one doctor saying yay or nay. You’re going to poll a panel of experts both within the team and outside the team to get the best judgment and experience with a particular condition.”

See AP’s full NFL coverage here

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell speaks during a news conference at the NFL owners' meetings Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Jacksonville Jaguars defensive tackle Arik Armstead (91) speaks to NFL commissioner, Roger Goodell during the warm-up before an NFL football game against Philadelphia Eagles in London, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Ian Walton)

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) attends a press conference after an NFL football game against Jacksonville Jaguars in London, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell speaks during a news conference at the NFL owners' meetings Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)