Bill Simmons gets President Obama to talk about Roger Goodell
The Boston Sports Guy is once again The Politics Guy.
Grantland founder and Boston sports proto-blogger Bill Simmons has a long interview with President Barack Obama for GQ’s “Man of the Year’’ cover story released on Tuesday morning. It’s the second time the two have held a back-and-forth, after a podcast appearance in 2012.
The familiarity shows. Obama starts off the meeting by teasing Simmons for leaving Grantland in May.
“It’s really aggravating not having you on Grantland,’’ Obama told Simmons. “I go to the site and there’s no Simmons. Come on, man, it’s not the same.’’
The interview must have taken place a while ago; the well-liked site has since been shut down entirely. Simmons recently found new work on a weekly show for HBO.
[fragment number=0]
As is usual with anything Simmons, their conversation repeatedly navigated between politics, pop culture, and sports, particularly focusing on Obama’s favored Chicago Bulls.
At one point, Obama started talking about NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, who Simmons has repeatedly and harshly criticized for his public statements on Ray Rice’s domestic violence case and on Deflategate.
“I cannot believe that the commissioner of football gets paid $44 million a year,’’ Obama said.
Simmons then pushed him on what advice he would give to Goodell.
“They’re making a profit, and I think that’s what the owners are most concerned with,’’ Obama said.
Simmons pushed again for him to explain. Ever the politician, Obama evaded the question.
“You’re not going to drag me into your fights, man,’’ Obama said. “Come on—I’ve got enough fights of my own. [laughs] This is between you and Roger.’’
The interview is a good look into the mind of – as Simmons calls him – “Obama the Person,’’ the personable alter-ego of the poised “President Obama.’’
Obama the Person touches on the highest-profile stories of his presidency, including the killings of Trayvon Martin, Eric Garner, and Michael Brown; the Sandy Hook shooting and attempting to take on the NRA; and how Obama tries to channel Aaron Rodgers in the pocket.
You can read the rest of the interview at GQ.
Gallery: Recent high-profile departures from ESPN
[bdc-gallery id=”121169″]
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com