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Fans get chance to question NFL commissioner, players

HOUSTON — Football fans were allowed to ask NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and the three finalists for NFL Man of the Year questions Friday at the House of Blues in Houston.

Channel 2’s Liz Artz was there as fans asked the commissioner and pro football players hard-hitting questions.

Reporters were not allowed to chime in, but a wide range of topics, including whether to stand during the playing of the national anthem and the use of medical marijuana in professional football, still came up.

The commissioner told the crowd that at this time, there are no plans to allow football players to use marijuana.

Several Falcons fans who are in town for the weekend agreed with the commissioner.

“I'm going to stick with 'no' on that. With all the trainers and medicine we have today, I don't think we should introduce marijuana to the game of football," Traci Cameron said.

“It kind of mellows you out too, so I’m not sure how that would work. Yeah, they can’t 'rise up' violently," Yolonda Cameron said.

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The Camerons and a friend drove to Houston from Atlanta for the weekend. Their perspective on marijuana was a little different than that of lifelong Falcons fan Joseph Lain, who came from Savannah.

“I don't see a problem with it. If it's legal, it's legal. I mean, abide by the law," Lain said.

Another hot topic in sports right now is requiring players to stand during the playing of the national anthem.

"Would the NFL do anything along the lines of the NBA in requiring players to show respect for the flag and veterans?”a fan in the crowd asked.

“We show respect for American. Stand up for the flag. That’s what you should do. But with the First Amendment, you have to respect those rights," Yolonda Cameron said.

The commissioner responded in much the same way, telling the crowd that on Sunday people will see America honored, but they also have to respect rights.