NFL: Goodell Will Have to do Better In The Future

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As sports fans, we all like to criticize someone in a particular league we cheer for. I have many chats on my podcasts about who the worst commissioner in sports is. Many have said Gary Bettman of the NHL because of some of the stupid stuff he has done. This year that title might go to Rob Manfred of MLB. Others do not like Roger Goodell of the NFL. He has many different scenarios that come up during his tenure. The way that he handled the Colin Kaepernick kneeling for the national anthem protest. But today it might the way he lets many of the NFL owners get away with bad behavior. The most recent with Daniel Snyder and the circus that is known as the Washington Football Team. The team that will come in the season with no name and a dark cloud hanging over it.

Goodell is in his 15th season as commissioner. In the past, other owners that are named Daniel Snyder have had issues. Remember the owners of the team keep Goodell employed. The owners should be held to a higher standard. Jim Irsay was suspended six games for driving while intoxicated in 2014. Outgoing Panthers owner Jerry Richardson was fined $2.75 million for gross workplace misconduct in 2018. Last year, it was Robert Kraft, the owner of the New England Patriots, who was caught in a prostitution sting in Jupiter, FL. New York Jets owner Woody Johnson reportedly made racist and sexiest comments in a call while being a U.S. ambassador to the United Kingdom. What do all these events have in common? How poorly they were handled? There should have been severe punishments for the owners since the players get the wrath of Goodell.

For example, Colin Kaepernick is on a 42 game suspension. The league has tried to get him back in the league. Goodell said he is fine with him being back in the league. He recently had to respond to a video made by Patrick Mahomes charging the league with condemning racism. The main reason is that the players were peacefully protesting. He has tried to let the players do what they want amongst the protesting going on with racial injustice currently around the world. But back to the owners and Daniel Snyder. Many people believe that he should be suspended or fined. The NFL has taken over the investigation that is currently going on with sexual harassment of 24 former female employees. There is also one against Snyder himself. Supposedly, he requested a cheerleader show up so they could film a behind the scenes video.

The video was supposed to be with no clothes on for his entertainment. He has denied he ever requesting such a video. Till this point, and maybe once the investigation is over, there will be a punishment handed down. In this writer’s opinion, as I wrote a story earlier, it is time for Snyder to sell the team. He waited until it was going to hit him in the wallet to make a change in the name. This is something moving forward for Goodell that should be more balanced. If you’re going to lay the hammer down on the players, he should punish the owners as well. I think the major reason is that they write his paycheck. Let’s see how he handles what the owners of the NFL do as far as punishment.