Goodell is one miserable guy. In fotos, his facial expressions and body language show it plain as day
3
Pete Rozelle is turning over in his grave at the arbitrary decisions, disproportionate and uneven punishments "meted" out by his current successor.
And where is Goodell and the NFL on the Kapernick Protest movement? Nothing but deafening silence. Kapernick is well within his rights to protest what he feels is an oppressive nation, but the forum of the presentation of the National Anthem at his venue of employment is hardly appropriate.
Goodell is an abomination and he should be ashamed of himself for all the above and the owners had better wake up from their cash-induced coma.
And where is Goodell and the NFL on the Kapernick Protest movement? Nothing but deafening silence. Kapernick is well within his rights to protest what he feels is an oppressive nation, but the forum of the presentation of the National Anthem at his venue of employment is hardly appropriate.
Goodell is an abomination and he should be ashamed of himself for all the above and the owners had better wake up from their cash-induced coma.
2
At some point, Goodell will go the way of the odious and fascistic Sepp Blatter and leave the league in disgrace. His far from unique combination of hubris and incompetence make it certain.
3
The NFL has adopted pro wrestling as its model, with Mr. Goodell playing the part of the evil buffoon.
5
I commented the yesterday, but want to add, that even had Brady asked that balls being deflated, it should not be penalized a fraction as much as should the Broncos for the deliberate and violent shots to Newton's head with their own helmets.I know that these games are played at full speed and accidents happen all the time - sometimes it should not be called. But, the 3 helmet to helmet smashes (I only saw 3) seemed deliberate to me, particularly the last one in the ear hole. I was disturbed and I was rooting for the Broncos! What a joke when an equipment violation can cause a million plus in fines and a 4 game suspension for a superstar (the last on no evidence), when deliberate attempts to hurt someone are just part of the game.
3
WOW - what a statement from the top lawyer of a NON-PROFIT organization that uses your tax $ to build stadiums. Talk about treating us all like we ignoramuses. Hopefully no one is drinking this kool-aid? Stop acting like this isn't all about $. You can either stop or continue to support it, the decision is yours.
Jeff Pash, the N.F.L.’s top lawyer: The job of the commissioner, he added, is to make sure that fans “are rooting and supporting financially and emotionally for a game that is clean, that is honest, cares about fans and cares about the people who play the game.”
Jeff Pash, the N.F.L.’s top lawyer: The job of the commissioner, he added, is to make sure that fans “are rooting and supporting financially and emotionally for a game that is clean, that is honest, cares about fans and cares about the people who play the game.”
2
Roger not-so-Goodell, pays $2.3 million to have one of his toadies investigate the alleged deflate gate who can only come up "it's likely the Brady had something to do with it". No acknowledgment of the fact that it was lax monitoring by the refs and that the footballs were cold. He'd be wise to never show up at a Patriot's game (maybe not Pittsburg either).
4
I get it. I give credit to Goodell for attempting to clean up a game rife with domestic abuse, "head-hunting", assault, and cheating. (Jeez, cheating seems tame in comparison, whew).
BUT - these punishments have to be appropriate, scaled, and fair. 4 games cannot possibly be the best outcome for both sexual assault AND a deflated football. An unbiased panel also wouldn't hurt.
BUT - these punishments have to be appropriate, scaled, and fair. 4 games cannot possibly be the best outcome for both sexual assault AND a deflated football. An unbiased panel also wouldn't hurt.
1
The reality of the NFL is the necessity to insulate the viewer and fan from that reality. When viewed on television, except when the camera quickly allows for a shot of injury, the game has a detachment necessary to maintain the mystique. Quite possibly, if the adoring public had the opportunity to stand on the sidelines during a game, the sound and sight of bodies being crushed and blood streaming, grown men screaming, might detract from the aura. War too is romanticized by those who have never been. NFL football is purportedly a sport but may actually masquerade as such while really an unabashed business. NFL football may dissolve as tastes change, not unlike boxing. Roger Goodell is a passing master who will segue into another. The game will stand. If there is glory and a profit to be had, there will be takers. Who can resist the colors and charge of the home team? We simply need to not get too close to really see.
2
The NFL does not need The Roger.
1
I'm an Arizona Cardinal die-hard and and season ticket holder. I feel cheated that on opening night Tom Brady will not be suiting up for the New England Patriots in our home opener.
In a league that the Commissioner has helped turn into a Quarter Back Driven league, one of the few chances I will get to see a HOF QB at home has been taken away from me.
I feel ripped off by the Commissioner. There aren't a lot of opportunities for season ticket holders to see Tom Brady go against our team in our building.
What should have been a premier game with national attention is now just another game. Thanks Rodger.
In a league that the Commissioner has helped turn into a Quarter Back Driven league, one of the few chances I will get to see a HOF QB at home has been taken away from me.
I feel ripped off by the Commissioner. There aren't a lot of opportunities for season ticket holders to see Tom Brady go against our team in our building.
What should have been a premier game with national attention is now just another game. Thanks Rodger.
4
As long as Goodell keeps punishing the excellence of teams that the unwashed masses hate, like the Patriots, he will be popular enough. As long as he confines his punishment of other teams players to those who are easy to hate, like James Harrison, those fans will give him a pass. As long as the NFL continues to make money, the owners who employ him will keep him in office. The guy is a corrupt, sniveling crook but he knows where his bread is buttered.
4
It can't be emphasized enough the fact that the collective ownership revels in Goodell's machinations. He is the lightning rod that absorbs the shocks that would otherwise hit them. They are more than willing to pay him upwards of $40M a year because the value of their franchises (propelled of course by forced scarcity and the empowerment that Congress has bestowed upon them) have increased exponentially over the last decade or so. The vast riches that cities have bestowed upon NFL owners (their profits are personal, but the playgrounds are publicly financed), the greed and arrogance associated with the sycophantic networks throwing unprecedented amounts of money at them, and their true belief that the vast majority of players (and let's not forget that some 70% of the league's players are black) are just interchangeable/fungible parts easily replaced year-to-year has created a corruptible enterprise that feeds the power onto itself. Goodell does the owners' bidding. Absolute power corrupts absolutely. That is today's NFL.
1
It's employee versus employer. The employer has given all the penalty decision making to Goodell. The NFLPA gave away way more than they should have long ago. It will be a long fight back to equity...if ever. Unfortunately, it might take someone getting killed from a head injury on the playing field to bring any kind of quick change to all involved.
1
I know Mr. Goodell is very pleased with himself, the Brady case being the centerpiece of his conceit. I'm anxious to see the reaction of the players when they figure out that there is now a precedent for the NFL demanding their communication devices (iPhones, iPads, and all) and sifting through their records. The results will be explosive when the League office starts running to ground all the phone numbers and calls, text messages, emails and email addresses.
And, while on the subject of the league "integrity", how about their oxymoronic opposition to gambling along side the NFL investment (not to mention the major equity positions of owners Bob Kraft and Jerry Jones) in the online betting businesses (e.g., Draft Kings)?
And, while on the subject of the league "integrity", how about their oxymoronic opposition to gambling along side the NFL investment (not to mention the major equity positions of owners Bob Kraft and Jerry Jones) in the online betting businesses (e.g., Draft Kings)?
If Goodell is really concerned about the NFL's image, why doesn't he do something about Kaepernick?
The irony is that the players on the field determine the outcome of the game. By personally deciding who plays and, more importantly who doesn't, the Commissioner compromises the integrity of the sport more than anyone.
1
Goodell and the money grubbing NFL owners have ruined the league and tarnished the so-called Shield beyond repair. The NFL will never get another nickel of my money or minute of my time.
1
My interest in the NFL was diminished when Brady's suspension was upheld by the appeals' court. I ignored the draft, trades and pre-season, though I I'm watching the season. I thought Judge Berman's original decision overturning Goodell's suspension was correct. And I know NY and other fans may think the reinstatement was great, but, that's more about fan bias and I know from experience few read the NFL report or judge's decisions nor care to do so. Though Goodell won in the end, it increased my lack of respect for him and the league.
And despite their own violence, I was also disgusted by Peterson's and even Ray Rice's treatment because the NFL only cares about PR and their revenue, not the women and children, who the league hurt too. Ironically, Rice's treatment, leading to the end of his career, taught all NFL wives and committed gfs an important but unfortunate lesson - keep your mouth shut! Of course Rice and Peterson were wrong - even jail would have been understandable for Rice, but we do not know what led to it, and she decided to marry him soon afterwards. The NFL has not helped her one iota. It has hurt her and others who will follow her who saw what happened.
One analysis in NY Times' seemed to show that NFL players likely commit less domestic violence than their peers in society, but the league generally painted them as uncontrollable thugs. I love pro-football, but dislike the NFL's current administration.
And despite their own violence, I was also disgusted by Peterson's and even Ray Rice's treatment because the NFL only cares about PR and their revenue, not the women and children, who the league hurt too. Ironically, Rice's treatment, leading to the end of his career, taught all NFL wives and committed gfs an important but unfortunate lesson - keep your mouth shut! Of course Rice and Peterson were wrong - even jail would have been understandable for Rice, but we do not know what led to it, and she decided to marry him soon afterwards. The NFL has not helped her one iota. It has hurt her and others who will follow her who saw what happened.
One analysis in NY Times' seemed to show that NFL players likely commit less domestic violence than their peers in society, but the league generally painted them as uncontrollable thugs. I love pro-football, but dislike the NFL's current administration.
2
Mr. Belson has no clue.
(1) Tom Brady, deflategate, were thoroughly investigated by a prominent law firm delegated that task by the NFL. The Second Circuit had a full airing of the facts before it upheld the Brady suspension. Belson’s standing up for Brady is about the equivalent of being a climate change denier.
(2) Belson has forgotten the steroid era in MLB, which took a strong threat of intervention by Congress to get Donald Fehr to agree to provisions to deal with PED’s in the MLB CBA. To make James Harrison a hero for refusing to talk to NFL investigators about allegations that he had used steroids is absurd.
(3) NFL games have way far too much of what can only be described as player thuggery, endless preening, everything but football under the rubric “the game has changed.” The thrust of this piece is that the NFL should stand aside and let the players take over in that, let the insane, in other words, run the asylum.
(3) Belson undoubtedly has never been in an arbitration. I’ve been in many. The arbitration mentality is “split the difference.” A dream fulfilled for the players.
(4) Unlike Belson, who saw Goodell as an easy target in a piece that is basically PR for the “all about me” players and their union, I give kudos to Goodell for keeping his eye on the prize, the game of football, and not being intimidated by the players union and pieces like this into forfeiting the authority Goodell has under the CBA.
(1) Tom Brady, deflategate, were thoroughly investigated by a prominent law firm delegated that task by the NFL. The Second Circuit had a full airing of the facts before it upheld the Brady suspension. Belson’s standing up for Brady is about the equivalent of being a climate change denier.
(2) Belson has forgotten the steroid era in MLB, which took a strong threat of intervention by Congress to get Donald Fehr to agree to provisions to deal with PED’s in the MLB CBA. To make James Harrison a hero for refusing to talk to NFL investigators about allegations that he had used steroids is absurd.
(3) NFL games have way far too much of what can only be described as player thuggery, endless preening, everything but football under the rubric “the game has changed.” The thrust of this piece is that the NFL should stand aside and let the players take over in that, let the insane, in other words, run the asylum.
(3) Belson undoubtedly has never been in an arbitration. I’ve been in many. The arbitration mentality is “split the difference.” A dream fulfilled for the players.
(4) Unlike Belson, who saw Goodell as an easy target in a piece that is basically PR for the “all about me” players and their union, I give kudos to Goodell for keeping his eye on the prize, the game of football, and not being intimidated by the players union and pieces like this into forfeiting the authority Goodell has under the CBA.
Consider Goodell's role - he is hired by the owners to help them continue to make money and do the job they won't do themselves. From a business standpoint it has been perceived that the fanbase would prefer not to see criminals and cheaters making millions for playing a game. If that is what you wish for too, then stand by it. Tom Brady cheated - doesn't matter how little he cheated, he cheated. But based on comment seen here - many don't care since they look at him with adoring eyes rather than a non-biased view. Ben Roethlisberger is a rapist. Then there are the performance drug and illicit drug users. The drunk car crashers. The wife beaters, murderers, and dog killers. (By the way the dog killer is one of the few that Goodell should have been banned for life and before you go saying Michael Vick did his time, read what Vick did and decide if that human deserves your praise or if they should have given another kid a chance.) So, what you want Goodell to do? The owners want him to throw the book at these rapists, druggies, cheaters because the NFL simply cannot afford more headlines about million dollar thugs being allowed to play - no matter how good they are. The individual owners do not want to say this themselves for fear of offending or losing one of their prime players. The players call this overreaching? I'm sorry you broke not only the NFL's rule but in many cases you broke the law, quit whining, you are not special, pay the price.
It's a difficult decision. I don't know if I should support the multi-millionaire players or the chief executive who represents the billionaire owners.
A four game suspension for an unsubstantiated equipment violation, tacked on to a million dollar fine and the loss of two draft picks was a complete and total sham.
3
I shocked by the near uniform condemnation of Goodell. Did anyone consider that the misbehaviour and, yes, frequent criminal activity among players is the problem ? That the sheer volume of problems makes a commissioner's job impossible ? That Goodell is doing the best he can given the rampant misbehavior ?
Are people seriously defending the drug cheats, the wife beater and the child abusers in the NFL by claiming Goodell is too tough ?
Yes, ticket prices are too high. But in the grand scheme of pro sports, is that really the largest problem ?
I support Goodell 100% and wish he could do more to rein in these spoiled babies known as NFL players.
NFL players are our kids' role models, so thank god someone is willing to take them to task
Are people seriously defending the drug cheats, the wife beater and the child abusers in the NFL by claiming Goodell is too tough ?
Yes, ticket prices are too high. But in the grand scheme of pro sports, is that really the largest problem ?
I support Goodell 100% and wish he could do more to rein in these spoiled babies known as NFL players.
NFL players are our kids' role models, so thank god someone is willing to take them to task
It's simple: you have a man who manages money at the same time he is handing out fines and suspensions. Roger Goodell is not a commissioner. He is a financier on behalf of the owners. Thursday night football, which promotes injuries. and an 18-game season, which is too long. Goodell doesn't care about anything but revenue. He cares nothing about the interests of the players.
They should strike the 2016 season, at least denying the owners revenue.
They should strike the 2016 season, at least denying the owners revenue.
1
Roger Goodell has the authority, granted by the owners and the terms of the CBA, to decide whether any particular player has engaged in activity that Roger considers harmful to the integrity of the game, including whether fans might be upset by a player's actions. Essentially, Goodell can make any decision he wants, at any time, and players have to accept it.
Who watches Roger? Only the owners, and the CBA which is in place until 2021. Goodell has demonstrated that without explicit rules regarding disciplinary action, anything that hints of "conduct unbecoming" can turn into a season-long suspension.
This is how tyrants behave.
Who watches Roger? Only the owners, and the CBA which is in place until 2021. Goodell has demonstrated that without explicit rules regarding disciplinary action, anything that hints of "conduct unbecoming" can turn into a season-long suspension.
This is how tyrants behave.
1
Someone needs to remnd Goodell it s nice to be important, but more important to be nice.
1
If players break the rules on the field they get penalized. If there is a dispute of the penalty the coach throws the red flag and the refs consider the replay. Rules are rules. If a player breaks a rule off the field the same things should apply. Get all of the evidence, have a body of people consider the infraction, then make an intelligent decision. If you can't do that, then just let the players and management do what they want to do on and off the field and see how that works for you.
Last time i checked, nobody is forced to sign a multi-million NFL contract.
1
The NFL is a sports league that is populated by players that commonly commit big and small crimes and where illegal steroid use is rampant. Frankly, I also believe that the Commissioner has done a terrible job in that he has not cracked down enough on illegal and immoral behavior.
1
Roger Goodell is doing a good job in a tough situation. What he is paid by the NFL is irrelevant.
Those over inflated footballs didn't magically all take in too much air by themselves just before the game. Where were the depositions of the two Patriot locker room attendants who were getting signed bling from Tom Brady for making sure the footballs were to his liking? Oh, I remember now. New England refused to allow them to cooperate and then apparently fired them. Come on. There was a mountain of evidence against the Pats- was the Commissioner supposed to ignore that?
And the continual serious criminal behavior of so many NFL players is a disgrace to decent society. Goodell cannot simply turn his head and pretend that there's not much to any of this. He is the Commissioner of the League and someone in authority has to deal with this mountain of bad acts and worse actors.
I think he has done an excellent job.
Those over inflated footballs didn't magically all take in too much air by themselves just before the game. Where were the depositions of the two Patriot locker room attendants who were getting signed bling from Tom Brady for making sure the footballs were to his liking? Oh, I remember now. New England refused to allow them to cooperate and then apparently fired them. Come on. There was a mountain of evidence against the Pats- was the Commissioner supposed to ignore that?
And the continual serious criminal behavior of so many NFL players is a disgrace to decent society. Goodell cannot simply turn his head and pretend that there's not much to any of this. He is the Commissioner of the League and someone in authority has to deal with this mountain of bad acts and worse actors.
I think he has done an excellent job.
I really like the part about the players "saving their money" in case they have to go out on strike. I've been living for the last ten years in retirement on less than a mediocre player in the NFL makes in a year. And I'm doing just fine thank you.
The whole Tom Brady thing just really hit a raw nerve with many people, not just folks in New England. Science and testable, objective reality took a back seat to contract machinations, and Goodell's power play mindset... and ultimately prevailed. In the end, Brady lost in court and on appeal, not on science or justice, but because the rules said Goodell could decide on sonething and make it stick, just because he's the Big Boss. Sorry, but that's just not good enough. A man's reputation is on the line, and millions of dollrs he had a right to earn in his contract. "Cuz I said so" is a lousy reason to make the judgement stick, but it's pretty much the way it went down.
Every talks about players being role models, what about the examples the senior executives and Goodell himself set? "Might makes right, who cares about physics" sends a lousy message. It tells everyone that the guy in charge gets to be a capricious bully, and even star players get no recourse!
I would not mourn if Goodell's tenure came to an end - far from it. The sooner the better. Decency is needed from more than just the players, and it's more than overdue from his office.
Every talks about players being role models, what about the examples the senior executives and Goodell himself set? "Might makes right, who cares about physics" sends a lousy message. It tells everyone that the guy in charge gets to be a capricious bully, and even star players get no recourse!
I would not mourn if Goodell's tenure came to an end - far from it. The sooner the better. Decency is needed from more than just the players, and it's more than overdue from his office.
In a free negotiation, the parties agreed that Goodell would make initial rulings, and hear appeals. I suspect NFL players, most of whom will never offend against the personal conduct policy, are reluctant to give up stuff to benefit the few felons.
I don't see Goodell giving this up without a huge price in return. The union has tried getting it for free through the courts. No dice.
I don't see Goodell giving this up without a huge price in return. The union has tried getting it for free through the courts. No dice.
I am generally anti-authority, but I'm with Goodell on player discipline. Most of these players came up in a public education system as students in which there were little to no consequences for bad behavior. After their NFL carers end, for the first time they will discover that this is not the case in the USA.
I actually feel Goodell's penalties have been lenient to fair. He is protecting the players from themselves. I feel Goodell needs to go even further to develop player safety through rule changes, long suspensions for dangerous on field play and safer equipment development, etc.
I actually feel Goodell's penalties have been lenient to fair. He is protecting the players from themselves. I feel Goodell needs to go even further to develop player safety through rule changes, long suspensions for dangerous on field play and safer equipment development, etc.
Rape a woman, punch your wife, beat your child with a stick... I think they need longer penalties and time away from football to consider their actions like a permanent ban from the sport.
And what a bunch of whiners....
Let me cry you a river that you got caught taking steroids.
And what a bunch of whiners....
Let me cry you a river that you got caught taking steroids.
One thing is for certain. The players should not be penalised for using marijuana. It's legal all over the place and does not provide any 'boost' to their on-field performance. This guys are getting slammed and cracked all season long. Let 'em get high and play a little Xbox once in awhile.
Giant game of hipped the pea, misdirection. The singular issue that threatens the game is its ferocity and the mayhem it causes, and we are not just talking concussions here, or collective trauma causing cognitive lose, we're talking the broad range of ever more serious injuries in ever greater numbers that are maiming folks before their time. The cost, real dollars, to society alone to take care of these problems, which individual disability policies that teams encourage and answer, prove it, when claims are routinely denied, would seem to demand our intention.
But what are we talking about instead, insipid issues about Goodell's M periods, wrong headed penalization of chicken escapement. We all get to play make believe boss, and bad, another season is about to zoom by with no one calling the NFI on its scandalous disregard of player welfare. The closest we get, a discussion about whether the NFL's steps to clean up Pee Wee football has produced non-phonies up evidence to show that it has. Who cares, anybody who lets his kid play the game is brain dead anyway.
It is obvious that tech-driven skill and specially target physical training has curiously been accompanied by a epidemic of injury in all major sports, and even minor ones, top down. This past week, broadcasters of the Open were asking what could be down to make te is safer, same with golf, same with baseball. All are driven by the NFL model.
No one came up with taking the foot off the pedal. Wonder I do.
But what are we talking about instead, insipid issues about Goodell's M periods, wrong headed penalization of chicken escapement. We all get to play make believe boss, and bad, another season is about to zoom by with no one calling the NFI on its scandalous disregard of player welfare. The closest we get, a discussion about whether the NFL's steps to clean up Pee Wee football has produced non-phonies up evidence to show that it has. Who cares, anybody who lets his kid play the game is brain dead anyway.
It is obvious that tech-driven skill and specially target physical training has curiously been accompanied by a epidemic of injury in all major sports, and even minor ones, top down. This past week, broadcasters of the Open were asking what could be down to make te is safer, same with golf, same with baseball. All are driven by the NFL model.
No one came up with taking the foot off the pedal. Wonder I do.
Goodell gets away with murder in his highly unequal treatment of those whom he perceives as "damaging the integrity of the league. I think what offends the players union the most, something that they themselves awarded them is the lack of standards and application of justice from wife beating to allegedly deflating footballs. With Brady, it wasn't the "crime" itself which should have been treated as an "equipment office, " punishable as a $25,000 fine, with a warning for the future.
Without adhering to a specific fining system, Goddell himself is tampering with the integrity of the game, with his highly illogical and inconsistent application of punishments.
The owners should boot him out but they're too busy counting their billions, which is why Goodell gets away with it, But it's hurting morale, hurting each team's ability to put the best team on the field with all these suspensions that come out of nowhere: a bomb for an equipment fine, a game or two for behaving improperly on the field.
It takes a pretty pompous man to act like the Czar, not the chief, of football. By acting as if players were recalcitrant kids, albeit big strong kids, Goodell must simply set up, and discuss with players, how he views the game and what constitutes its "integrity". Because if the Commissioner has thrown away his own in making punishments fit the crime, how can he expect his players to understand which line they're supposed to toe?
Without adhering to a specific fining system, Goddell himself is tampering with the integrity of the game, with his highly illogical and inconsistent application of punishments.
The owners should boot him out but they're too busy counting their billions, which is why Goodell gets away with it, But it's hurting morale, hurting each team's ability to put the best team on the field with all these suspensions that come out of nowhere: a bomb for an equipment fine, a game or two for behaving improperly on the field.
It takes a pretty pompous man to act like the Czar, not the chief, of football. By acting as if players were recalcitrant kids, albeit big strong kids, Goodell must simply set up, and discuss with players, how he views the game and what constitutes its "integrity". Because if the Commissioner has thrown away his own in making punishments fit the crime, how can he expect his players to understand which line they're supposed to toe?
18
Waltham Mass., that wouldn't happen to be Patriots country? Patriots fan would not be expected to be the most objective about the Commissioner right now, with their start player facing a deserved, Roger Goodell imposed four game suspension.
Given the money they make.
The number of players who get into serious legal trouble.
I am surprised the NFL does not take stronger action.
The number of players who get into serious legal trouble.
I am surprised the NFL does not take stronger action.
14
Face it - the NFL is in decline. It has peaked, the glory days are in the rearview mirror.
There are two words that explain that decline: Roger Goodell.
There are two words that explain that decline: Roger Goodell.
11
Since it seems to have been made quite clear by a variety of experts that Brady didn't deflate those balls or have knowledge of it if it did happen (which is not proven, quite the reverse), it appears the law is only about the league's authority to ruin one of history's best players' (if not the best) reputation. He has plenty of other rewards, but to put status and power over the truth is flat out wrong.
Equating this to other misbehavior is just wrong. And a sizeable portion of the US of A will hold on to their hatreds without reference to the facts. Goodell should lose his job. He appears to be a bullying hack.
Equating this to other misbehavior is just wrong. And a sizeable portion of the US of A will hold on to their hatreds without reference to the facts. Goodell should lose his job. He appears to be a bullying hack.
23
On the contrary, I have a lot of respect for Goodell standing up to the most popular athlete in American sports today (Tom Brady). By the way, physical evidence, anecdotal evidence, and common sense, and statistical analysis of Patriot turnover ratio during Brady/Manning custom football era all point to willful deflation of footballs with concomitant possession advantage by the Patriots due to same.
Deflating footballs was game-related and a violation of a clear bright-line rule. And, sorry, it strains credulity to believe that this was carried out by an equipment manager without Brady's knowledge or direction. You may think 4 games is too severe a penalty, but please don't try to convince us that he was not guilty as charged. The real idiocy is a rule that allows each team to pick its own footballs. Does a major league pitcher get to select the baseballs he throws from his own private stash?
The haters are really out in force on this comment board. No employee, regardless of how much they make should be mistreated. If this was an article about WalMart mistreating their employees, would most commenters be rooting for the WalMart or for the workers?
I am sure that if most of the commenters played in the NFL, they would be singing a different tune. It's easy to hate when you're an observer.
I am sure that if most of the commenters played in the NFL, they would be singing a different tune. It's easy to hate when you're an observer.
8
This article reads like music to the owners' ears. Goodell is every inch the Pinkerton: rounding up the Wobblies, bullying the city council, and letting slip the necessary tips to the police.
7
“The whole reason you have a commissioner in any sport, the most fundamental reason for that office, is to protect the integrity of the game,” said Jeff Pash, the N.F.L.’s top lawyer.
That statement is true only to the extent that maintaining "the integrity of the game" is essential maximizing revenue for the league's owners. EVERY decision Goodell makes is calculated to preserve or increase revenue. There is simply no other consideration.
That statement is true only to the extent that maintaining "the integrity of the game" is essential maximizing revenue for the league's owners. EVERY decision Goodell makes is calculated to preserve or increase revenue. There is simply no other consideration.
14
So in your opinion, player should skip drug tests, cheat in games, do whatever they wish with impunity?
9
That statement is based on the supposition that the game has integrity to begin with. Football lost its integrity long ago. The game is now played by illiterate, uneducated, doped up thugs. There aren't to many class player in the league anymore.
7
Of course not. The integrity of the game is critical to the league's profits.
Goodell as well as the antisocial behavior of some players has completely turned me off. I am not subscribing to the NFL Ticket this year. The game isn't the same as it was in my youth.
4
Goodell is in a rough position where he has the good of the league up against the good of humanity. One can only speculate how you would handle some of the situations that he has had to resolve.
3
"the good of the league up against the good of humanity"? You have got to be kidding. Football does nothing for the good of humanity, other than keeping potential gang-bangers off the streets.
6
The league is a bunch of pampered billionaires who have their own private welfare program. They really need to stop whining about the millionaires who work for them. Goodell does no one any favors with his arrogance.
9
I dunno.
It would seem to me that playing a game for thousands of times what the average worker makes in an entire lifetime is a privilege. ( no matter how much God given talent you may have )
I think the relationship between the players and the fans has corroded.
It would seem to me that playing a game for thousands of times what the average worker makes in an entire lifetime is a privilege. ( no matter how much God given talent you may have )
I think the relationship between the players and the fans has corroded.
13
The game shortens their lives and their cognition. What is that worth?
The National Felons League.
These man children have gotten a pass on criminal behavior since their pop warner days.
These man children have gotten a pass on criminal behavior since their pop warner days.
22
I can't tell you how tired I am of hearing from these whinny players who are making millions..the owners and Goodell are paper tigers...the players are the product, if they were really serious about anything they would all quit, invest they're own money in a league and go their own way...but they won't because "it would be too damn hard."
9
These whining prima donnas need to be replaced. The game is by far bigger than their egos. A strike would kill them off fast. College football is more entertaining anyway.
10
If Tom Brady would have admitted that he rigged the balls, he probably would have gotten a slap on the wrist. Instead, he played coy, came up with lame excuses and refused to take responsibility. It's not the crime, it's the cover up, Tom...
11
Wisdom in those words.
He didn't rig the footballs.
You cannot mention the name "Roger Goodell" here in Boston without Patriots fans pulling out their virtual knives. In many ways, Patriot fans' feelings about Goodell mirror those of Trump supporters: Don't bother us with facts, we're all about emotions.
Goodell works for the owners who publicly support their players while being as anti-union a crowd as you'll find anywhere. He does the job he's paid to do, using the power the players foolishly accorded him (with the owners' blessings by the way), and, assumedly, doesn't go to sleep hoping players will beat their wives, fail drug tests or abuse their children.
He's turned the NFL into a powerhouse that makes great money for the players but who only last an average of 4+ years. If the players want to turn their ire to the right direction it should be at the owners who profit all the way to the bank while the players suffer traumatic injuries.
So, this anger at Goodell is interesting. It's akin to saying (and has been said) "we gave him the power; we just never expected him to use it." I wonder how they might react if Goodell said, thanks for the authority but stop forcing me to use it when you act like thugs or privileged pretty boys." Yeah, Tom, that last one was for you.
Goodell works for the owners who publicly support their players while being as anti-union a crowd as you'll find anywhere. He does the job he's paid to do, using the power the players foolishly accorded him (with the owners' blessings by the way), and, assumedly, doesn't go to sleep hoping players will beat their wives, fail drug tests or abuse their children.
He's turned the NFL into a powerhouse that makes great money for the players but who only last an average of 4+ years. If the players want to turn their ire to the right direction it should be at the owners who profit all the way to the bank while the players suffer traumatic injuries.
So, this anger at Goodell is interesting. It's akin to saying (and has been said) "we gave him the power; we just never expected him to use it." I wonder how they might react if Goodell said, thanks for the authority but stop forcing me to use it when you act like thugs or privileged pretty boys." Yeah, Tom, that last one was for you.
9
What a coincidence. People outside of New England feel the very same way when the Patriots* are mentioned.
*Caught cheating.
*Caught cheating.
6
Similar to the way most of us fans outside of Dallas feel about "America's Team". Other than jerry Jones, who voted on that. I root for the pats, Vikings, Bears, Packers and whoever is playing Dallas or the Jets 9Irooted for the Jets last year since they couldn't catch the Pats)
The players are a bunch of cry babies.
I'm glad there is someone such as Goodell who holds them accountable for their actions
I'm glad there is someone such as Goodell who holds them accountable for their actions
14
I don't see why the office of the Commissioner should be the ultimate voice on penalties to players. It is reasonable and common for each side to be represented in a dispute that affects an individual. To have no right of representation for a player leaves the Commissioner in a position of dictator with no recourse or appeal. It's unfortunate to see the NFL trying to operate under the spirit of honesty, integrity and love of the game but burdened by tension and internal strife. Such an atmosphere is not conducive to coherent and positive team performance. Goodell should ease up on the penalties when it is in the best interest of the game.
7
It's been years since ANYONE in the NFL tried to operate in the spirit of honesty, integrity, and love of the game. Greed and the obscene amounts of money to be made in football, from the college level on up, have seen to that.
Don't cry for the players or anyone else in the league. They're all knowledgeable and willing participants in a crooked, corrupt, and venal industry.
Don't cry for the players or anyone else in the league. They're all knowledgeable and willing participants in a crooked, corrupt, and venal industry.
I don't know why the head of the NFLPA, DeMaurice F. Smith, has not been held accountable for much of the players' understandable discontent over the Commissioner's power.
This power - often described as judge, jury and executioner - is part of the 'agreed to' CBA and, as such, was a subject of collective bargaining. It was incumbent on Mr. Smith to note, understand and negotiate down from this onerous provision once it was presented to the NFLPA during the last contract negotiations.
As a lawyer, this is precisely what Mr. Smith is trained to do. He must have known that the clause, included in an agreement calling for binding arbitration, would be virtually unassailable in court, (which it proved to be in the Second Circuit's recent rejection Mr. Brady's appeal.)
And yet this man makes a reported $2.5 Million annual salary? Incredible!
To add insult to injury, Mr. Smith appears on many of the sports talk shows and directs criticism at Mr. Goodell on this topic.
The players should be directing some of their fury over the Commissioner toward Mr. Smith.
This power - often described as judge, jury and executioner - is part of the 'agreed to' CBA and, as such, was a subject of collective bargaining. It was incumbent on Mr. Smith to note, understand and negotiate down from this onerous provision once it was presented to the NFLPA during the last contract negotiations.
As a lawyer, this is precisely what Mr. Smith is trained to do. He must have known that the clause, included in an agreement calling for binding arbitration, would be virtually unassailable in court, (which it proved to be in the Second Circuit's recent rejection Mr. Brady's appeal.)
And yet this man makes a reported $2.5 Million annual salary? Incredible!
To add insult to injury, Mr. Smith appears on many of the sports talk shows and directs criticism at Mr. Goodell on this topic.
The players should be directing some of their fury over the Commissioner toward Mr. Smith.
6
As it happened, the players at 31 of 32 NFL teams voted to ratify the agreement. That, by any measure, is sufficient to show he had his players behind him. Do not confuse loud with widespread. Only the felons and potential felons care about Goodell's power.
This is a man who forces bruised and battered men to play on Thursday after they just played Sunday. All for the mighty buck.
He also wants to stretch the season from 16 to 18 games, if two fake pre-season games, where starters hardly play, are eliminated. That's another two games where players have a chance of their careers ending.
Nothing else needs to be said.
He also wants to stretch the season from 16 to 18 games, if two fake pre-season games, where starters hardly play, are eliminated. That's another two games where players have a chance of their careers ending.
Nothing else needs to be said.
6
Maybe we should just have one game.
5
Then you'd continue the ripoff of season ticket holders who pay 2/10 of their annual cost towards tickets for meaningless games.
I am with you. Anyone who has competed in any sport at high level MARVELS at the Sunday to Thursday turn around the players have to endure. That is INHUMANE for such a high contact sport.
This year, there are probably tens of thousands of boys whose parents will not allow them to play in football leagues because of the concussion issue. Ten years ago all these kids would have played. And some of those tens of thousands of kids who are playing lacrosse, soccer, baseball or another sport instead, could have grown up to become NFL players.
7
Someday pro football may go the way of bear baiting.
1
As a Pats fan waiting out the first four weeks and hearing it from the rest of the NFL's fans: don't get too comfortable, your turn is coming. The grand omozukai has plans for all his puppets. But this isn't bunraku, it's comedia del arte dressed up to look like a morality play. DeflateGate was put on for the masses to re-sanctify the game and reinforce their loyalty to the the NFL 'Brand'. And the Brand is ALL about the money.
Enjoy the show.
Enjoy the show.
9
Well said. And the penalties for the alleged "deflategate" were exorbitant compared to the penalties for criminal actions. The NFL "brand" is often synonymous with the Cowboys, "America's Team". Not. Can you see not-so-Goodell penalizing Jerry Jones for anything?
This is analogous to the drug trade. As long as there are paying users (NFL fans), there will be ruthless drug lords (Goodell).
America is addicted to football. From there flows the evil.
America is addicted to football. From there flows the evil.
6
I sure hope you are not a scientist or work in an important job where you are required to make nuanced distinctions based upon careful observation.
4
Robert, the commenter said "analogous" -- not "the same as." And he is correct about how the market for attractive but ultimately destructive pastimes operates. Upon careful observation, football action damages players' brains, even without direct blows to the head. Nuanced distinctions cannot change that brutal fact.
Neural trauma is similar to radiation in that even small frequent exposures are cumulative. The damage remains hidden inside the skull, until it triggers a cascade of unstoppable destruction far beyond the original lesions and manifests in premature dementia. It's horrible prolonged death for both players and families.
Neural trauma is similar to radiation in that even small frequent exposures are cumulative. The damage remains hidden inside the skull, until it triggers a cascade of unstoppable destruction far beyond the original lesions and manifests in premature dementia. It's horrible prolonged death for both players and families.
Goodell is a worried, overpaid CEO who hasn't given adequate attention to the real ticking time bomb -- the fact that football is killing its players and dismaying its fans. To think that some people are making money from a gladiatorial sport like this is appalling.
And that said, Goodell's "overstepping" may be the best thing to happen to the players. Because if fans get good and angry enough, they'll quit watching. Domestic violence, excessive violence and lousy sportsmanship are intolerable, especially when the players are multi-millionaires. Football needs a giant overhaul, not mere window dressing. Goodell is attempting to rearrange the deck chairs on the Titanic.
And that said, Goodell's "overstepping" may be the best thing to happen to the players. Because if fans get good and angry enough, they'll quit watching. Domestic violence, excessive violence and lousy sportsmanship are intolerable, especially when the players are multi-millionaires. Football needs a giant overhaul, not mere window dressing. Goodell is attempting to rearrange the deck chairs on the Titanic.
23
What, him worried? Pretty smug and complacent.
They act all tough on the field, then show how tough they really are by beating up women and whining about the punishment.
34
You can count the number of such (reprehensible) instances of behavior in the NFL on one hand. The percentage of spousal (or girl friend abuse) is equal to, if not lower than, that in the general population.
How would you like it if someone judged you and your work based on the worst behaved employees of your company?
How would you like it if someone judged you and your work based on the worst behaved employees of your company?
5
Your comment shows a tremendous amount of ignorance, bias, or worse. To paint such a picture of all players in a sport based on the behavior of a small percentage of people is reprehensible. We are a society of many ills, and football players, like any representative group of society will demonstrate both the worst and best of people.
If anything I feel sorry for the vast majority of players. It's a brutal sport that breaks bodies and minds (I've stopped watching but for the occasional game) with little help once they've been chewed up and spit out.
If anything I feel sorry for the vast majority of players. It's a brutal sport that breaks bodies and minds (I've stopped watching but for the occasional game) with little help once they've been chewed up and spit out.
I encourage everyone to begin weaning themselves from this atrocity, known as the National Felons League, until such time that criminal behavior is no longer accepted as the norm.
32
Please! You just don't like football.
Check the facts bro. There are 1472 active roster players in the the NFL. (46 players times 32 teams.)
In 2016, 46 players have been disciplined in one way or another. Of those, about half are related to off field behavior. And the lion's share of those 23 related to substance abuse; i.e., weed (legal in many states).
(I'm including PED use as on-field activity as well as, of course, severe penalty infractions, the basis of many of which are so nebulous that they defy objectivity.)
So let's do the percentages.
On the high end. 46/1472 = 3.1% "bad eggs."
In the middle. 23/1472 = 1.6% "troublemakers."
And the low end, off the field, non-substance abuse. 5/1472 = .34% "thugs."
Maybe you want to rethink your sweeping generalization which defames between 97 and 99.6 percent of NFL players.
Check the facts bro. There are 1472 active roster players in the the NFL. (46 players times 32 teams.)
In 2016, 46 players have been disciplined in one way or another. Of those, about half are related to off field behavior. And the lion's share of those 23 related to substance abuse; i.e., weed (legal in many states).
(I'm including PED use as on-field activity as well as, of course, severe penalty infractions, the basis of many of which are so nebulous that they defy objectivity.)
So let's do the percentages.
On the high end. 46/1472 = 3.1% "bad eggs."
In the middle. 23/1472 = 1.6% "troublemakers."
And the low end, off the field, non-substance abuse. 5/1472 = .34% "thugs."
Maybe you want to rethink your sweeping generalization which defames between 97 and 99.6 percent of NFL players.
5
Done!
And for some reason people do not think that Paul Tagliabue was not a good commissioner.
1
Oh, all the criminal, showboating, crude, brutalizing behavior is being horribly fly-specked by Goodell! Sidelining stars!
"Few players would dispute that someone who commits domestic violence should be penalized. But Goodell’s suspension of players for more ambiguous infractions like deflating footballs or taunting teammates has led many fans, and some players, to complain that he is meddlesome and affecting the quality of play by sidelining some of the game’s top stars."
"Few players would dispute that someone who commits domestic violence should be penalized. But Goodell’s suspension of players for more ambiguous infractions like deflating footballs or taunting teammates has led many fans, and some players, to complain that he is meddlesome and affecting the quality of play by sidelining some of the game’s top stars."
4
Goodell makes a whopping $34 million/year. Why? To deny Junior Seau's daughter from eulogizing her father in Canton? To bungle deflategate? To enforce zero tolerance policies unless the player is half-decent or the owner speaks up? To handle concussions like the tobacco companies handled lung cancer?
A change is needed.
A change is needed.
39
Sure, let's get another Adam Silver and have the players wear BLM wristbands, hitting the front lines in Ferguson,and similar things. He'll also suspend every player who has a TRUMP/PENCE bumper sticker.
"You're fired' would help.
The NFLPA has done everything it can to end suspension of players by challenging every suspension. While the NFL commissioner should not be adjudicating suspensions, most of the players that get suspended deserve the suspension- and in many cases they deserve more.
That it took over a season for Tom Brady to miss a game, that Ray Rice didn't go to jail for assault- these things are just as much a part of the reality as any over-reaches by Goodell. Brady should have sat last season. When the NFLPA is done, they want a no suspension policy, and that's every bit as bad as what we have now.
That it took over a season for Tom Brady to miss a game, that Ray Rice didn't go to jail for assault- these things are just as much a part of the reality as any over-reaches by Goodell. Brady should have sat last season. When the NFLPA is done, they want a no suspension policy, and that's every bit as bad as what we have now.
5
I'm sure you really don't like any union, but the most important function of a union is the same as that of a lawyer... to advocate for a client, to provide a defense, innocent until proven guilty. Yes, unions negotiate, but given the differences in interests between Union and management, they advocate, too. It's part and parcel of the NLRA and the duties spelled out for both Union and management. It's rarely a neat and easy process, whether it be an automotive union or a player's union.
Actually, you might be surprised what a union "wants" and what it is required under labor law to provide. As a retired union member, there were members we would have loved to ditch, but federal law required a fair and thorough defense.
And yes, sometimes there was a "good old boy" system, but show me one facet of life, anywhere, from business to politics to religion, where that doesn't happen.
Actually, you might be surprised what a union "wants" and what it is required under labor law to provide. As a retired union member, there were members we would have loved to ditch, but federal law required a fair and thorough defense.
And yes, sometimes there was a "good old boy" system, but show me one facet of life, anywhere, from business to politics to religion, where that doesn't happen.
3
Goodell and the NCAA operate with the same playbook, chewing on the players for an expanding universe of non-play activity while the owners and umpires get away with everything. There are plenty of ex-cons playing the game because owners hired them. It should be a matter of contract whether non-play activity affects employment and pay. Owners are ok with the current system because they understand that this is just a form of entertainment and the paying public must be mollified in some manner if the entertainer is some form of bad guy. The owners are happy to cede the Bad Cop role to Goodell and not endure any blowback themselves. As everyone knows, if you let discipline be decided by an "independent arbitrator" you have lost control of your operation and in most cases the bad actor gets reinstated with no penalty (e.g., police, other government workers, most union arrangements).
8
Some points.
* Pro sports are businesses, only deluded fans have actual loyalties to businesses. Goodell is desperately trying to maintain the illusion. He and the players' union need to agree to a structure that examines appeals to sanctions. How about Condi Rice at the helm of it? She would like Goodell's job in future, this could be her chance to show her skills, or not.
* Don't do drugs.
* Don't assault women.
* Don't beat your kids.
Play the game fairly.
* Pro sports are businesses, only deluded fans have actual loyalties to businesses. Goodell is desperately trying to maintain the illusion. He and the players' union need to agree to a structure that examines appeals to sanctions. How about Condi Rice at the helm of it? She would like Goodell's job in future, this could be her chance to show her skills, or not.
* Don't do drugs.
* Don't assault women.
* Don't beat your kids.
Play the game fairly.
1
Aiding and abetting the Traitor Kroenke in his money grubbing move of the Rams from St. Louis is not the way to maintain the illusion that the NFL is about anything other than money. They can all take a long walk down a short pier.
1
While I can understand that Commissioner Goodell being the person who decides punishment issues (rather than an independent arbitrator) may well appear to the players to be unfair, it's just so appalling that they don't even begin to see that the punishments he's decided for their various infractions are so soft and patty-cake. He could double them and they'd only start to be appropriate for the incidents that were named in the article.
These guys pose as tough on the field, but off the field, without their pit bulls and rottweilers, they're just a bunch of wimpy whiners.
These guys pose as tough on the field, but off the field, without their pit bulls and rottweilers, they're just a bunch of wimpy whiners.
4
Anyone remember Pete Rozelle ?
Goodall is a light touch in comparison.
An involved commissioner is necessary in the NFL.
Goodall is a light touch in comparison.
An involved commissioner is necessary in the NFL.
5
Time out guys. When you do collective bargaining each side has its priorities and what it is willing to pay for an item. The union sought what they wanted and traded off what was less important. Same for Owners. Can't say now I should have worked harder to cut Goodells power so let's amend deal. Is Union willing to give up pensions or cap numbers or something else? Doubt it
Tom Brady? 4 games!!! We have our integrity to think about!!!
Pull your significant other around by the hair? Punch her? Don't bother paying child support? Have 18 kids with 16 women? Nudge, nudge, snicker, snicker..boys will be boys!
Pull your significant other around by the hair? Punch her? Don't bother paying child support? Have 18 kids with 16 women? Nudge, nudge, snicker, snicker..boys will be boys!
7
Child support is expensive, man. If it was reduced by 75% across the board, you'd probably get a near 100% compliance in payments. Football players, and fathers in general love their children.
Everyone better start realizing that this concussion issues is not going away. Boxing used to be a sport. Now, not so much. That took about 40 years. Will there be an NFL in 2050?
15
Having an independent third party hear appeals is reasonable.
4
Since a typical NFL career averages only 4 years--along with growing evidence of a high risk of permanent neurological damage to many players--Goodell should back strategies to make the game safer. Building his reputation solely on authoritarian control is energy that could be better directed. For instance, sponsoring research to explore a soft-shell helmet and other gear and rule improvements would be a good start. Continuing the game in the current gladiatorial model threatens to kill the goose that laid the golden egg.
6
I have three sons so I actually appreciate Roger Goodell. I have a wonderful example of what not to be. I can point to Goodell and say, "Sons, he's dishonorable, duplicitous, and a power-mad, lying bully. Don't be like him."
As for Jeff Pash? I'm thinking Ambien is how he sleeps at night.
As for Jeff Pash? I'm thinking Ambien is how he sleeps at night.
12
Is this really about suspending the cheating Patriots player, Tom Brady, Mr. Vermonter?
One hundred years ago and less, both females and males had to quite school after the sixth grade to help out the family or earn money. Puberty was a time that you grew up and became responsible. Now, however, people at the age of 18 or older are like big babies, they can't self monitor nor do they have self control, so, for better or worse, they have to have babysitters and consequences. Many more of these professional athletes would be in even more trouble, usually in jail, if they didn't have consequences. We have a whole society of people that have bad behavior. Wells Fargo had to fire 5300(not 53 or 530) people, because they opened up unauthorized accounts. I guess big baby athletes don't believe they should live under any laws or consequences for their behavior. Spare us, please!
2
I agree with you, Mary, my concern is particularly the play on the field which causes injuries/shortens players careers or causes debilitation in later years. What people do not understand is that if Goodell does not protect players from themselves, it simply will not be done.
The problem with your argument, Mary Kay, is hypocrisy:
You call for player responsibility, but ignore the behavior of those in charge of the businesses. Both now and a century ago, the extremely wealthy owners have been excused from law and morality, along with their children.
These young men sometimes behave very badly, but so do the owners and executives, and their teenage children. The players are risking their bodies and brains; no such cost is exacted from those in charge of the game. They rake in revenue from players' bodies but shrug off responsibility for the long-term damage to players' brains.
A century ago, 13-year-olds "had to" quit school and work full-time in factories only because their employers were allowed to get away with it. It was not an unavoidable natural phenomenon. Neither is football.
You call for player responsibility, but ignore the behavior of those in charge of the businesses. Both now and a century ago, the extremely wealthy owners have been excused from law and morality, along with their children.
These young men sometimes behave very badly, but so do the owners and executives, and their teenage children. The players are risking their bodies and brains; no such cost is exacted from those in charge of the game. They rake in revenue from players' bodies but shrug off responsibility for the long-term damage to players' brains.
A century ago, 13-year-olds "had to" quit school and work full-time in factories only because their employers were allowed to get away with it. It was not an unavoidable natural phenomenon. Neither is football.
The complaints of players would have a lot more credence if they weren't all cheering from the sidelines and egging on the commissioner when he decided to suspend Tom Brady for 4 games for a very minor offense that had no impact on a game and that was not in any way proved to be attributable to Tom Brady ("but, but, but, but, but he MUST have known" was the sum total of Goodell's case). They reap what they sow. If they want to be treated with any measure of justice, stop the petty attacks on the Patriots that constitute their excuse for their inferior performance.
10
A soft ball has a HUGE effect on the overall turnover ration. There is one Patriot running back who had like 800 consecutive carries without a fumble, helped no doubt by a soft football. You have to understand that both Brady and Belichick are GENIUSES. They would not play with a soft ball unless it has a tangible benefit to the win loss column. And it does/did. Google for the statistical analysis of Patriots fumbles during the custom football era.
If a player breaks the law, he should be punished by the criminal justice system. Goodell (and corporate C.E.O.s in general) should not have the power to punish behavior he doesn't like and which may or may not be illegal, but does not affect the game itself.
Should Tim Cook be allowed to fire an Apple employee who uses a Samsung phone or who goes online and says his Apple watch is lousy or who chastises Apple for having products made in terrible working conditions or who voted for Proposition 8?
Should the C.E.O. of Wells Fargo be able to penalize an employee who was an organizer for Bernie Sanders?
It took a long time for baseball to get rid of its plantation mentality and then only because Curt Flood was willing to sacrifice himself, and the players formed and stuck by their union. The N.F.L. players and their union are still far behind, when it comes to asserting their rights and strength. If they want to be heard, perhaps they should just have an unannounced strike two weeks before the playoffs are due to start. That will get the attention of the TV sponsors which will get the attention of TV which will get the attention of the owners which will get the attention of Goodell, as he worries about his "poor year" salary and team kickbacks of $34 million.
Should Tim Cook be allowed to fire an Apple employee who uses a Samsung phone or who goes online and says his Apple watch is lousy or who chastises Apple for having products made in terrible working conditions or who voted for Proposition 8?
Should the C.E.O. of Wells Fargo be able to penalize an employee who was an organizer for Bernie Sanders?
It took a long time for baseball to get rid of its plantation mentality and then only because Curt Flood was willing to sacrifice himself, and the players formed and stuck by their union. The N.F.L. players and their union are still far behind, when it comes to asserting their rights and strength. If they want to be heard, perhaps they should just have an unannounced strike two weeks before the playoffs are due to start. That will get the attention of the TV sponsors which will get the attention of TV which will get the attention of the owners which will get the attention of Goodell, as he worries about his "poor year" salary and team kickbacks of $34 million.
3
Roghlisberger was never convicted of sexual assault, no matter the evidence there may be. Nobody should be punished based on allegations. Had he been convicted, he would have served time in jail, be registered as a sex offender, and perhaps be forced to wear a monitoring device. Had that happened, the four game suspension would have been the least of the problems. Without a criminal conviction, his four game suspension is unwarranted.
1
Did Team Brady get this story planted?
It's a business, and the players are like car parts. They are interchangeable, disposable, and worthless as individuals to an organization.
He holds all the cards.
He holds all the cards.
5
Guy makes tens of millions of dollars as if he inveneted the game.
1
Goodell most certainly did not turn the league into a "$13 billion dollar behemoth". He is standing on the shoulders of giants such as Vince Lombardi,Pete Rozelle, Bill Walsh and Bill Parcells. He is nothing more than a useful toadie who does the bidding of his owner masters. Time will tell what his actual legacy will be.
6
We're talking about football as if it is important. High paid athletes fighting with billionaires over money. Contract disputes over concession rights. Entertainment dollars flow. The athlete/gladiators enter into the Roman theatre of battle and come out broken as if they thought their bodies are made of soft clay only to find they are fragile and break. The public outcry over brain injuries are almost as loud as the cheers of the throng in the stadium. And for what?
3
It amazes me that we are still watching a game, and the NY Times is still providing press coverage, that is flawed to its core. Football is unsafe at any speed, and the sooner it fails the better.
Our neighbor was an NFL player (not famous) and is in his late 60s, and he doesn't have the slightest idea who he is, where he is, or what is going on around him.
Our neighbor was an NFL player (not famous) and is in his late 60s, and he doesn't have the slightest idea who he is, where he is, or what is going on around him.
10
Please go on strike, maybe I'll start watching hockey again. Maybe not!
15
Average amount of action time in football per game: 11 minutes
Average amount of aciton time in hockey per game: 60 minutes
Keep watching football.
Average amount of aciton time in hockey per game: 60 minutes
Keep watching football.
They broke up Ma Bell, they threatened Microsoft.....how come the NFL is allowed to dominate the sports entertainment world? Seriously, I'm asking.
46
Except for some quarterbacks, few players have any star power, no matter how good they are on the field. If the players want to negotiate as equals with the owners and their appointed dictator, they need to be seen as materially affecting league profits. The players and the union blew it last time, when they telescoped a toothless strike. To accomplish anything, the players must stick together and seriously consider wildcat strikes, especially the week before the playoffs start. No advanced warning. If you mess with playoff and Superbowl TV and Las Vegas bookmakers, you will quickly get the owners' attention. Do it at the beginning of the season as was done last time, and you will get replaced with no one even noticing.
5
One of the problems with the current structure is that it is so open to politics; owners want the commissioner to punish a certain team have an impact on the punishment. Clearly teams that have lost to the Patriots in the past were certain that something nefarious had been done to deflate footballs, and the commissioner felt compelled to rush to judgement and concoct a penalty that is completely out of line with anything else other teams or players had done.
An impartial arbitrator would have recognized the many flaws in the silly and tainted legal report ginned up by the NFL's favorite outside counsel, and come up with a more just solution.
Goodell smears the shield, he does not protect it.
An impartial arbitrator would have recognized the many flaws in the silly and tainted legal report ginned up by the NFL's favorite outside counsel, and come up with a more just solution.
Goodell smears the shield, he does not protect it.
9
Agreed except that Robert Kraft has been one of little Roger's supporters and protectors. The owners have a 45 million dollar errand boy who is good at running their errands.
Isn't the CEO or her rep the person that can fire 95% of us, even senior executives? At least these guys get to talk to the CEO. He is not sending them to jail; he is just suspending them from work. Just about all the offenses listed in the article, especially if performed while at work or repping the firm, would merit an immediate termination from most large corporations.
11
Except for some quarterbacks, few players have any star power, no matter how good they are on the field. The players and the union blew it last time, when they telescoped a toothless strike. If the players want to negotiate as equals with the owners and their appointed dictator, they need to be seen as materially affecting league profits. To do that they must stick together, speak out, and seriously consider wildcat strikes, especially the week before the playoffs start. With no advanced warning mess with playoff and Superbowl TV and bookmakers, and you will quickly get the owners' attention. Do it at the beginning of the season as was done last time, and you will get replaced with no one noticing.
2
I agree with the players. There should be an independent arbitrator to resolve disputes. However the article points out that they were more concerned with money than protecting their right to this at the time they could have pushed for this.
What did disgust me here are these players discounting the severity of their actions.
What did disgust me here are these players discounting the severity of their actions.
5
Goodell is a horrible commissioner but it's on the Player's Union that they signed the agreement and handed him the hammer to beat them with. If they had focused on more than just their cut of the pie then they would be in a better position to mitigate Goodell's incompetence.
16
It seems reasonable that the NFL agree to form a "disciplinary" panel consisting of a retired player, retire judge and the NFL Commissioner to hear and rule on disciplinary matters. Why this seems to hard to implement is beyond me.
3
This guy is a total lightweight, swimming in the deep end of the pool without a life preserver. It is hard to believe that he is paid, what $40 million per year. Goodell is trying to prove that he is a "tough" guy just like some other buffoon from New York, need we try to guess whom. In some cases the penalties handed are justified but in other case no so. Punishments need to consistent. Perhaps a better position for Goodell would be commissioner of a flag football league or better yet a Pop Warner league where he would hand out severe punishment to mothers bringing out poor choices for after game snacks.
13
Many professional athletes are like The Don. They think rules of society do not apply to them. They feel entitled. They often get breaks from local law enforcement that the rest of us can only dream of. I believe that because so many young people look up to them they have an obligation to act like the best citizens at all times and I have great respect for those players and coaches who hold themselves, and their teammates, accountable to high standards.
13
Quit beating your wives and girlfriends; quit beating your kids; quit taking illegal drugs; quit beating random civilians - wait that was the NBA - and you will never see Sir Roger.
There - problem solved.
There - problem solved.
51
SteveRR, no, problem not solved. In the case of Brady most experts agree the deflation didn't even happen; it was all trumped up. The courts decided the commissioner has absolute power, not that he was right.
1
The problem here is equal protection. How can Roethlisberger get a 4 game suspension for sexual assault and Brady get 4 game suspension for a deflated football? If the punishments were consistent and fair, there wouldn't be complaints. But Goodell is extremely heavy handed.
78
Brady's suspension was 4 games for covering up his deflation plot - not the plot itself.
3
I think what people miss is Goodell is actually very weak as the owners themselves are not a strongly cohesive group. He represents their collective will and carries their water. A few of the stronger owners can make him do what they want him to.. Consider the most recent 1 game suspension handed out to Josh Brown... John Mara lobbied Goodell to give him the most lenient sentence for domestic abuse since Bisiciotti lobbied Goodell to go easy on Ray Rice (before the video was leaked and the sentence the outrage forced the league to revisit). A stronger commissioner would be more consistent but clearly Goodell is holding onto alliances and trading favors...
2
A so-called 'deflated football' that can only be explained by the scientific laws of physics; The ideal gas law shows that footballs inflated in a warm environment will drop in pressure in a cold environment; Far too complicated for Goodell and his toadies (team owners); the issue questions the logic of the football player's union and the team owners allowing Goodell's authority to make decisions against the players when he is too dumb to comprehend the inflation of footballs! Surely, this was a colossal error that made him the Mexican piñata for football fans, but it also makes the owners look like the scum of the earth.
* GET RID OF THIS MAN - fans boo him every opportunity they get.
* GET RID OF THIS MAN - fans boo him every opportunity they get.
1
Another corrupt cartel?
21
I suspect God would accept Goodell as an equal...
4
Any sort of dictator is bad news. Power always goes to their heads, to the disadvantage of those they rule.
5
No labor organization, not even one whose members are mostly millionaires, many of whom are reported to be illegal substance users of questionable repute, can allow the final arbiter of fact and dispenser of discipline in their grievance procedure to be the CEO of the institution for which they work. That is especially true when that CEO is a person of such stunning hubris like Roger Goodell. The NFL players association should be prepared to strike over this issue!
21
Adrian Peterson didn't discipline his young son with a stick, he physically abused his young son with a stick. If Adrian had done this to an adult, he'd be in jail.
60
He did what he thought was right for his son. Yardsticks are not allowed, but belts are according to Texas law--untwine that fine line if you like. Corporeal punishment remains a legitimate form of punishment for children in this country, whether one personally condones it or not.
5
I don't think you saw the pictures of AP's son David. Maybe it was legal in the twisted state of Texas. That doesn't make it right.
3
The players gave back way too much to the owners a few years ago. Yes, most careers are "brutishly" short, but it is a brutal game and the vast majority leave the league with no money, no education, broken bodies and potentially minds, and little hope for the future. (How about that as an advertising point!). But ownership's contentions that Goodell has the paying fans' interests at heart is laughable. How about the following:
1. Forcing season ticket holders to buy tickets to two practice games at full price.
2. Flexing 1 pm December games to 8:30 pm in cold weather cities like Green Bay, Foxboro, Chicago, etc.
3. Charging exorbitant (extortionate) prices for concessions, parking, etc.
4. Stretching the games out to accommodate the countless number of extra commercials so that CBS, NBC, ESPN, et al can somehow recoup their excessive rights' fees.
5. Pretending the players don't take an enormous array of painkillers like Toredal in order to suit up on Sunday.
6. Forcing these same banged up and bruised bodies to play Thurs., after Sunday, and having fans pay full price for a clearly compromised product.
7. Pretending there is no gambling on football while making deals with Draftkings, et al. The NFL thrives on gambling.
Goodell and the NFL are shamelessly hypocritical. It's hard to stomach them any longer.
1. Forcing season ticket holders to buy tickets to two practice games at full price.
2. Flexing 1 pm December games to 8:30 pm in cold weather cities like Green Bay, Foxboro, Chicago, etc.
3. Charging exorbitant (extortionate) prices for concessions, parking, etc.
4. Stretching the games out to accommodate the countless number of extra commercials so that CBS, NBC, ESPN, et al can somehow recoup their excessive rights' fees.
5. Pretending the players don't take an enormous array of painkillers like Toredal in order to suit up on Sunday.
6. Forcing these same banged up and bruised bodies to play Thurs., after Sunday, and having fans pay full price for a clearly compromised product.
7. Pretending there is no gambling on football while making deals with Draftkings, et al. The NFL thrives on gambling.
Goodell and the NFL are shamelessly hypocritical. It's hard to stomach them any longer.
148
Spot on! Monday to Sunday used to be a challenge for players to be ready. Thursday games are a complete farce. Goodell has lined his pockets and the owners by protecting the shield. Everyone should view League of Denial on PBS - fascinating piece.
22
So don't go to any games. If I watch, which is rare, I watch from the comfort of my sofa, with the inexpensive food I like to eat, with a clean bathroom, no drunks near me and a temperate climate to watch a game. When it's over, if I last that long, I lumber from my sofa to my bedroom, avoiding terrible traffic, drunk drivers and potential bad weather.
Save your money. Read more. Take more trips and volunteer. They are all far better activities instead of following football.
Save your money. Read more. Take more trips and volunteer. They are all far better activities instead of following football.
82
No, I don't go to the games, never have, never will. The point I was making is that the NFL has no concern for its paying customers. I've mostly lost interest in the league for many reasons, including the the manner in which ownership tried to completely whitewash the concussion issue and the unending parade of commercials during televised games. By the way, I do the NY Times crossword puzzles, read many books, and accomplish many other tasks while watching the occasional game. The pace of the games allow for many other activities.
23
I wish Goodell could be as smart, witty and genteel as Bart Giamatti. He isn't, but he is in the main protecting the integrity of the game against the shenanigans of Brady, the Patriots and the violent abusers of women like Roethlisberger and the rest. Yes he has made mistakes, but he has learned, particularly on the abuse issues. Now that the courts are supporting his authority, it is foolish to expect that he would give it up without something in return.
23
Giamatti was a fan -- and a person of great integrity -- who happened to become sports commissioner. Goddell is neither a fan, nor a person of integrity, but rather a shill for the Billionaire Boys Club (aka NFL).
The comparison makes you realize how far things in sports have fallen...
The comparison makes you realize how far things in sports have fallen...
47
Nice job lumping in deflaters of footballs with sexual predators.
40
Thank you. It's all dishonesty, no matter how you slice it.
4
Sports, never can we spend enough money on them--and then complain that we don't have enough for education, health, environment, ...
35
Rodger Goodell has no sense of fairness or justice. He has done a tremendous disservice to the NFL. The NFLPA is doing, sadly, exactly what it needs to do send a message to the ownership that allowing Goodell to hear appeals of his own decisions is utterly wrong.
17