Goodell: Evangelist or executioner?

In the wake of the New Orleans Saints’ Bountygate scandal, in which he suspended three coaches and four players for an illegal pay-for-performance plan which was allegedly used to pay players for making big plays and sometimes illegal hits (known as “knockouts” and “cart-offs”), Roger Goodell has taken center stage, yet again.

While it’s certainly understandable that the commissioner would want harsh treatment for those who try to injure the NFL’s most valuable resource, the players, the process for determining the guilt of the involved parties is gaining a bit of notoriety. As it relates to both the players and coaches, Goodell not only decided the lengths and terms of their suspensions, but also was the NFL executive who heard each individual’s appeal.

While the NFL presented its evidence earlier in the month, and the appeal was heard on June 18, more than a week and a half from the time of this post, the player’s appeal have yet to be ruled on.

That’s prompted Saints Linebacker Johnathan Vilma, one of the four disciplined players, to tweet, “What’s this guy waiting on? Make your ruling so we can get on to phase 2 already.”

It’s unlikely that Goodell will back away from his current position. Vilma, who has filed a defamation case against Goodell, has already told the judge in that case that he will request an injunction blocking his yearlong ban if Goodell fails to lift it.

Goodell, for his sake, believes his role in the process is integral. Once, when asked his opinion on an external body reviewing his decisions, he replied: “The answer to that is no, I’m not going to be open to that. I’m not going to hand off the brand and the reputation of the NFL to somebody who is not associated with the NFL. I promise you that. That is one of the No. 1 jobs as a commissioner in my opinion.”
Eric Winston, a right tackle for the Kansas City Chiefs, recently told USA Today that the players regret giving Goodell “absolute power” and said that he’s “running amok” with it. Roddy White, a wide receiver for the Atlanta Falcons, took to Twitter to explain his point of view: “I applaud roger godell [sic] for brokering a hell of a deal and I blame nflpa for failing us.”
Ultimately, White is correct. While Winston and the rest may be upset about the commissioner’s power, it was the NFLPA, in brokering the latest CBA, which gave him that power. Goodell’s unwillingness to let outsiders into the NFL’s decision process is what has allowed the league to continue to flourish for decades, and why it will continue to flourish into the future.

Or, at least until the concussion lawsuits the NFL is currently facing rear their ugly heads. Then, Goodell may very well wish he had a scapegoat in his corner.

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