Speaking to the media from Houston ahead of Super Bowl 51, Goodell was asked about Trump's immigration ban from seven majority-Muslim countries. He chose to stick to football.
"As commissioner of the NFL, I'm singularly focused on the Super Bowl right now," Goodell said.
Goodell was later asked to comment on a minor controversy from a primetime event on Monday called "Opening Night," in which members of the Falcons and Patriots were made available to the media. Although several players and coaches were asked about the president, in the transcripts made available from the event, no mentions of Trump or the president were included.
Goodell said he was not in charge of the transcripts, adding that he knew nothing about the controversy.
Goodell's guarded response echoes that of New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, who has repeatedly avoided any answers about Trump despite a personal relationship with him.
While the NFL world has been more muted about Trump, Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson on Tuesday spoke about him, wondering openly whether he would last a full four years in office.
On Sunday, Trump will be interviewed by Bill O'Reilly during Fox's Super Bowl pregame show.
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