"I'm not saying that the press is wrong to report any internal differences we have, but at the same time, I think it's our job to keep them from becoming public issues, for anything that detracts from the purely athletic aspects of the sport is bad for us"

In this quote, Pete Rozelle, the previous commissioner of the National Football League, is acknowledging the function of journalism in reporting on any internal disputes within the league. Nevertheless, he likewise thinks that it is the obligation of the league to prevent these differences from ending up being public problems. Rozelle argues that any diversions or debates that eliminate from the pure athletic aspects of the sport are destructive to the league. He emphasizes the value of maintaining a positive image and concentrating on the game itself. This quote highlights the fragile balance in between transparency and securing the stability of the sport in the eyes of the public.