Roger Goodell highlights changes in letter to NFL fans

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell wrote a letter to fans on the eve of the 2017 season opener, highlighting the changes for the upcoming season.

Goodell focused on four categories in particular:

Officiating: “First, we will bring on full-time game officials to enhance consistency between officials,’’ Goodell wrote. “Second, replay decisions, under our centralized replay model, will now be made from New York.’’

Health and Safety: The league has enhanced the concussion protocol “to reflect the most up-to-date medical consensus on the identification, diagnosis, and treatment of concussions.’’

The league is also introducing a new helmet designed to reduce the force of impact.

Celebrations: The league has relaxed the rules on celebrations “to allow players to have more fun when they make big plays.’’

Fan experience: Changes have been made “to improve the pace and minimize unnecessary disruptions to the action on the field.’’