Roger Goodell: Leader or Dictator? Enemy or Ally?

  Almost seven years ago, Roger Goodell became the new commissioner of the National Football League. Goodell had the dream of becoming commissioner since he was 22 years old, being very vocal to his father that this was a dream he would see come true, and at 47 years old he made good on his word. With the continuously growing number of lawsuits filed against the NFL due to alleged neglect of player protection and awareness safety, among other things, Goodell has implemented more penalties, fines, and suspensions to punish players for careless acts including dangerous tackles or excessive unnecessary contact/roughness. While Goodell feels these regulations are necessary for the game to protect players and the future of NFL Football, the majority of players object to his incorporation of these new rules.

  To say Goodell is a popular or favored commissioner would surely be a bold statement of opinion. Perhaps the main incidents he’s received the most criticism and disdain from are his rulings against the New Orleans Saints organization in the Bountygate Scandal, the 2011 NFL players lockout, and the new fines and suspensions. In a recent USA Today Sports poll, 61% of NFL players said they disapprove of the job Goodell is doing as commissioner while only 39% said they approve. Atlanta Falcons receiver Roddy White compared Goodell and his actions to a dictatorship in which whatever he says goes and that’s the end of it. While some of 39% don’t understand how someone could disapprove of Goodell, who is only looking out for the well-being of the league and all that are involved in it, the opposing 61% feel that the new consequences are either too severe and/or are taking away from the game. 

  The players aren’t the only ones that have Goodell on their bad list though. Fans of the 2009 NFL Superbowl Champions New Orleans Saints, strongly dislike Goodell, which is putting it lightly. This past summer, Goodell released his punishments against those involved in the Saints Bountygate scandal, resulting in the suspension of the organization’s head coach for an entire season, indefinite suspension of their defensive coordinator, suspension of an assistant coach, general manager, 4 players, as well as the loss of 2 second-round draft picks (2012 and 2013). Needless to say these rulings severely affected the Saints season as they finished just 7-9, not even making the playoffs. Many Saints players feel the entire verdict was delivered based upon partial evidence, an incomplete investigation, and speculation.  In addition, it is believed by many Saints players that Goodell had his mind made up about what occurred in the alleged Bounty Program and he was sticking to that idea at all costs. Many of the disapproving 61% also did not agree with the way the comissioner handled the New Orleans Saints organization as a result of the scandal.

  The owners on the other hand love Roger Goodell. With the NFL Lockout that occurred before the 2011-2012 season due to the inability of the players and owners to reach an agreement on a new CBA, the owners were ultimately satisfied with Goodell and the result of the lockout. New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, a strong advocate of Goodell, says Goodell runs the NFL as if it’s his and he owns it. Kraft admires the pride Goodell takes in the operations and mandates required of him to put in place in order to act as a good commissioner. Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones calls Goodell a “grow-the-pie type of thinker”.  Goodell has the overwhelming majority approval of the owners and rightfully so. Since he’s become commissioner, the NFL’s popularity and revenue numbers have increased including fan engagement and a 50% increase in television revenue.

  One thing is for sure though: Roger Goodell will be around for years to come. His contract as NFL commissioner doesn’t expire until 2018. His predecessor, Paul Tagliabue, even voiced that the problem with Goodell as it pertains to NFL players and fans is his uncompromising demeanor. Will that prove to begin to be a deterrent for the NFL? In Goodell’s press conference the Friday before this year’s SuperBowl, he made mentions implying he would try to build a better trust and understanding with the players moving forward. Being that there’s no entertainment without the players, this would likely be Goddell’s best bet.  

  What do you guys think? I want to hear from my NFL fans. Judging from Pre-Goodell era and now during, has the game changed for you in any way? If so, was it positively or negatively? Do you understand and/or agree with Goodell’s new form of action? Leave a comment, write me on FaceBook, or tweet me @RealRundown and weigh in. After all, it is arguable if it is actually the players or you, the fans, that are most important to the future of NFL. 

Sources: Bleacher Report, ESPN's Outside The Lines