What exactly has Roger Goodell done for the game of football that can be considered a positive in the eyes of NFL fans? Seriously. It’s an honest question.
It’s hard to recall a commissioner of the league being this criticized and reviled not just by fans but by players as well. Granted, the new era of social media makes it easier to hear opinions on the matter. Still, it’s becoming difficult to see what good Goodell has done for the league. Perhaps his biggest contribution has been the effort to grow the game around the world in places like Europe, Mexico and China. What else though besides that?
His handling of player discipline and safety has come under massive scrutiny over the past few years. Players who commit minor infractions are banned for months. Meanwhile players who beat their wives or girlfriends get 1-2 game slaps on the wrists. Not until public outcry gets too loud does something get done.
Multiple suspensions have been handed down to teams for cheating from Bountygate to Spygate and Deflategate. He’s even overseen not one but two separate lockouts involving the owners in 2011 and the referees in 2012. Then there is the simplest accusation of all.
The game has become less fun with him in charge. Players can’t celebrate. They’re flagged and fined for even the most modest hits. Football is becoming more robotic and more corporate. It’s supposed to be a game right? It’s supposed to be about making the game more exciting. Instead it’s become more cringe-worthy.
So how does he compare to his predecessors?
Paul Tagliabue
- Instituted free agency
- Moved Super Bowl out of Arizona after state refused to recognize Martin Luther King Day
- Kept Saints in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina
- Expanded the league by four teams (Jacksonville, Carolina, Cleveland, Houston)
Pete Rozelle
- Instituted revenue-sharing to stabilize league
- Executed merge with the AFL to expand the league
- Birthed Monday Night Football
- Helped with 1978 rule changes to open up the game
Does Goodell even approach the influences those two have had on the game? It’s a tough argument to make. Even as the league tries to expand out of the country and online, it feels like they’re content with the status quo in regards to actually growing the game itself. Most of their rule changes have been superficial and done more harm than good. Players are becoming more antagonistic. Injuries are rampant across the league since new practice policies and Thursday Night games were instituted.
All of this falls at the feet of Roger Goodell. Some have said he’s mostly a figurehead who helps make sure the owners make money. His interests don’t line up with the players or coaches. His job is to police them. Now the ratings have begun to drop. If revenue soon follows, that is going to bring about change. One way or the other.
Based on how things are going, Goodell has created an atmosphere that is toxic for the game. Unless he is willing to start making compromises and get ahead on certain trends, then this is not going to end well.