If you’re looking for a silver lining in the NFL’s disastrous handling of the Ray Rice situation, here’s one: It further exposes the most corrupt and inept commissioner in professional sports — Mr. Roger S. Goodell.
Is he more corrupt than inept? More inept than corrupt? Scholars have spent lifetimes searching for the answer, but either way he’s dangerous. And after this latest miss, its time for Goodell to go. I don’t care if he steps down or the owners fire him — he’s not worthy of the commissioner’s chair and the league is better off without him.
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Of course, back here in reality, that’s easier said than done. As is always the case, nothing will happen with Goodell until the NFL’s wallet feels a pinch. That means sponsors pulling ads or players threatening to strike — and we’re not there yet. But we’re getting there. Goodell’s about to slap on a bandana and drive this league right off a cliff; you can already see it in the distance. Scandals are building off-shore like waves just waiting to crash on Goodell’s desk. And one of them will break him.
If a wave doesn’t do it, social media will finish the job. I mean, don’t you feel it building? The pitch forks are sharp. The townspeople are angry. They’re coming after Roger Goodell — and don’t worry — he’ll provide the ammo. Whether it’s more fallout from the years he spent lying about (or conveniently ignoring) concussions, or future fallout from the years he’s spent lying about (or conveniently ignoring) medicinal marijuana. Or another suspension that’s illogically harsh or another that’s way too lenient. Or just another incident in which Goodell can’t stay out of his own way.
And even if he doesn’t fumble something in public, Goodell can sleep well knowing that Harvey Levin is now permanently stapled to his ass. What? You think TMZ is done here? Come on. It’s only the beginning. Levin loves this attention more than he loves anything in the world. More than he loves whatever’s in that water bottle. He’s found a dream parasitic partner in the NFL. He’s ready to slap his fangs right into the league’s neck and good luck prying him off.
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Of course, there is a way to keep Harvey Levin and social media mobs at bay. It’s called the truth. It’s called transparency. It means, instead of admitting fault in a leaked letter to his owners, Goodell needs to stand in front of a camera, explain exactly what happened with Ray Rice, take real questions from real reporters and provide them with real answers. He needs to approach this situation (and every situation) like a human being instead of a malfunctioned corporate robot. Sure, in the meantime, he can reinstate Josh Gordon and temporarily satisfy the masses, but the Rice story isn’t going away until Goodell personally addresses the truth.
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Of course, in this case, the truth isn’t pretty. Even if we don’t know what’s absolutely real, there are only two options:
1. Goodell saw the “new” TMZ tape right from the start, and still thought that Rice only deserved two games. (PS And he’s now lying about it.)
2. Goodell didn’t find it necessary to watch easily accessible footage of the incident before handing down his punishment.
Which option is worse? I’m not sure. Both straddle that familiar line between corrupt and inept. Call it the Goodell Line. But either way, it’s wrong. He’s wrong. And a new commissioner would be right —
Bob Kraft for commissioner!
Just kidding. I have no idea. It’s nice to think that the NFL has their own Adam Silver waiting in the wings to steer the league in a more proactive and progressive direction, but it’s not that easy. I’m not sure the league has a plan for this. Goodell’s under contract through 2019. Not to mention, guys like Silver are rare, and even then, the NFL is not the NBA. It’s a different beast with a more complicated culture. The job of an NFL commissioner is incredibly and relentlessly challenging.
And it’s just too much for Roger Goodell. The league, the players and the fans deserve a better leader. And if those carrier jets full of money ever slow down then the owners will demand one.
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Of course, let be realistic about what will happen next. Unless the Rice story has a few more unexpected turns, it won’t be the straw that officially breaks this robot’s back. But the last straw is coming.
Under Goodell, the league is speeding towards that cliff, and when the time comes, his resignation might be the only thing that keeps the NFL from a long fall.