Commissioner Roger Goodell and NFLPA Executive Director DeMaurice Smith spoke with and answered questions from rookies this morning at the NFLPA's rookie orientation in Sarasota. Smith invited the Commissioner to speak at the event.

Both will return to Minneapolis today to continue meetings which began earlier this week.

Following are comments Commissioner Goodell and DeMaurice Smith made to media following their talk with rookies:

Commissioner Goodell and DeMaurice SmithAfter Speaking at NFLPA Rookie OrientationJune 29, 2011

DeMaurice Smith: "We obviously spoke to the rookie class here at the Business of Football Symposium. We are not going to take questions but both of us wanted to come out and tell you that.  We're continuing to work hard. Both of us felt that it was important to come down for this event. Obviously, what we are doing on the business of football on a macro scale is about getting a fair deal done and trying to get back to the game and business of football as quickly as possible. This event was important to ensure that our young men appreciated how important we think these few days are. I'm thrilled that Roger could come down with us and talk to the rookies in a very good, direct way."

Commissioner Goodell: "It was a great opportunity for us to be able to sit with the rookies. They obviously have lots of questions. We answered the questions as best we could. But you all know that we're under certain restrictions. We're taking a break because we felt it was important to be down here with the players. We both have great respect, obviously, for the players. This is an important few days. We're going to get back to work."

DeMaurice Smith: "So we're going to go back in, to get back to work on other issues. Thank you all."