NFL Commissioner Apologizes for Ref Lockout

"Something like this, it's painful for everybody."

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell apologized Thursday to fans for having to use replacement officials during a lockout of regular refs. The impasse led to three weeks of questionable calls — and one that cost the Green Bay Packers a win.

Goodell made his comments during a conference call about 12 hours after the referees' union and league agreed on a tentative deal that will allow the regular officials to return beginning with Thursday night's Browns-Ravens game.

"Something like this, it's painful for everybody," Goodell said. "Most importantly, it's painful for fans. We're sorry to have to put fans through that.