_Commissioner_Roger_Goodell_delivers_remarks_during_an_event_at_the_U.S._Military_Academy_at_West_Point,_N.Y.,_launching_an_initiative_between_the_Army_and_the_NFL_to_work_to_raise_120830-A-AO884-123.jpg)
Roger Goodell. It seems that there are few men in history to have sparked up tensions in a position that seemingly doesn’t seem too riveting. While some call him not only a terrible commissioner but also a terrible man, others protect Roger and claim that he does not receive the credit he deserves. This is why the verdict must be reached upon how incompetent or adequate he truly is:
The Pros- While most just look at his downfalls, Roger excelled in some ways for the NFL. His involvement in redeeming the integrity of the Pro Bowl, a practically lost art with little value, has at least added some intrigue to the otherwise meaningless game. While concussions are being discussed more frequently nowadays, it is clear that Goodell has done more than his predecessors in terms of preserving the safety of the game with new equipment regulations and promoting form tackling. An increase in games overseas, like in London, has led to a newfound interest in Europe and has created an international appeal. The resolution of the 2011 lockout was swiftly done in a manner that few could challenge, at least in comparison to the NHL and NBA. Free agency and training camp may have been halted, but no games were missed and a complete season was fulfilled. He has kept NFL owners in check with numerous fines, and even created a fund to support retired players with many instances of bankruptcy prevalent in NFL veterans.
The Cons- I have to admit, it was hard to compile a list of pros since Roger is practically always displayed in a negative light. Although many may see it as unfair, it is justified in many instances as well. To start out with the obvious ones, let's begin with none other than the Ray Rice fiasco and Deflategate. Goodell himself, for some reason, dishes out fines and suspensions like they’re confetti at a ticker tape parade, and always seems to get the correct amount of games wrong. While possessing the video of Ray Rice punching his fiancé unconscious in the elevator, Goodell still only gave Rice a meager two game suspension. Once the video became popular, Goodell tried to save face by suspending Rice indefinitely, but the damage had already been done. Similarly, Cowboys defensive end Greg Hardy was only suspended four games for his involvement in a sexual abuse case with a female. Yet, Brady was originally suspended the same amount of games for “maybe, but then maybe not” knowing about the deflation of a football. Goodell has clearly shown a disregard of women’s abuse scandals in the past as well. Ben Roethlisberger, who has repeatedly been accused of rape, was only suspended for two games despite the disapproval of the public and even some of his teammates. Feminist groups have called for his resignation, but Goodell has remained indifferent to their outcries. Instead, Roger implements a personal conduct policy “revamping,” which really just institutes a code of conduct that should already have been implemented. On a different note, Goodell is also known for his hiring of the nothing short than abysmal substitute referees, who are infamously known for quite possibly the most idiotic call in recent football history in a Seahawks and Packers game a few years back. To top it all off, Roger has banned celebrations like Jimmy Graham’s field goal dunk which have taken away from the fun of the game.
Roger Goodell. It seems that there are few men in history to have sparked up tensions in a position that seemingly doesn’t seem too riveting. While some call him not only a terrible commissioner but also a terrible man, others protect Roger and claim that he does not receive the credit he deserves. This is why the verdict must be reached upon how incompetent or adequate he truly is:
The Pros- While most just look at his downfalls, Roger excelled in some ways for the NFL. His involvement in redeeming the integrity of the Pro Bowl, a practically lost art with little value, has at least added some intrigue to the otherwise meaningless game. While concussions are being discussed more frequently nowadays, it is clear that Goodell has done more than his predecessors in terms of preserving the safety of the game with new equipment regulations and promoting form tackling. An increase in games overseas, like in London, has led to a newfound interest in Europe and has created an international appeal. The resolution of the 2011 lockout was swiftly done in a manner that few could challenge, at least in comparison to the NHL and NBA. Free agency and training camp may have been halted, but no games were missed and a complete season was fulfilled. He has kept NFL owners in check with numerous fines, and even created a fund to support retired players with many instances of bankruptcy prevalent in NFL veterans.
The Cons- I have to admit, it was hard to compile a list of pros since Roger is practically always displayed in a negative light. Although many may see it as unfair, it is justified in many instances as well. To start out with the obvious ones, let's begin with none other than the Ray Rice fiasco and Deflategate. Goodell himself, for some reason, dishes out fines and suspensions like they’re confetti at a ticker tape parade, and always seems to get the correct amount of games wrong. While possessing the video of Ray Rice punching his fiancé unconscious in the elevator, Goodell still only gave Rice a meager two game suspension. Once the video became popular, Goodell tried to save face by suspending Rice indefinitely, but the damage had already been done. Similarly, Cowboys defensive end Greg Hardy was only suspended four games for his involvement in a sexual abuse case with a female. Yet, Brady was originally suspended the same amount of games for “maybe, but then maybe not” knowing about the deflation of a football. Goodell has clearly shown a disregard of women’s abuse scandals in the past as well. Ben Roethlisberger, who has repeatedly been accused of rape, was only suspended for two games despite the disapproval of the public and even some of his teammates. Feminist groups have called for his resignation, but Goodell has remained indifferent to their outcries. Instead, Roger implements a personal conduct policy “revamping,” which really just institutes a code of conduct that should already have been implemented. On a different note, Goodell is also known for his hiring of the nothing short than abysmal substitute referees, who are infamously known for quite possibly the most idiotic call in recent football history in a Seahawks and Packers game a few years back. To top it all off, Roger has banned celebrations like Jimmy Graham’s field goal dunk which have taken away from the fun of the game.
