NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell Reaches The Summit

NFL News - July 9, 2009 - Written by Mike

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell may have conquered his biggest challenge, scaling Mount Rainier, with a host of other staff from the NFL and the Seattle Seahawks. Goodell along with Seattle Seahawks head coach Jim Mora Jr., Seahawks executive Todd Leiweki and other NFL personnel embarked upon a fund raising mission, which will put them against the elements to climb the infamous Mount Rainer.

The commissioner and crew will be in good hands as they are going to be lead up the mountain by Peter Whittaker, a seasoned veteran at scaling Mt. Rainier. It should be known that only half of the people who attempt to climb Mt. Rainier reach the top.  This climb was going to be especially difficult as they were expecting a good chance of snow, as the near the summit.

The two, Goodell and Mora, had much preparation to do for this climb which they had started months earlier. On Monday, in preparation for the real climb up the volcano, the group participated in some small climbing, in the wind and the fog. After the initial climb, Whittaker complemented Goodell on his quick ability to learn the mountaineering basics. Goodell said "I've barely climbed a hill. Well, I always love a good challenge. I must say, I'm not exactly sure what I'm in for."

Sometime on Wednesday morning, the commissioner and Jim Mora were expected to reach the 14,411 foot high summit, provided everything goes as planned. King 5 Sport photojournalist Pete Cassum will be taking pictures and footage of the climb, Paul Silvi, the King 5 Sports Director, will be joining the climb to and will be doing the interviews as they take breaks up the mountain.

Goodell and Mora are raising money for the United Way, an effort which raised a total of $380,000 for the organization. This is a good move for the commissioner to accomplish the climb to the summit of Mt. Rainier. The best thing about this story is the fact that it was all to raise money for a good cause.