Used to be the case that during the NFL season bloggers spent their weekdays recapping the games that just wrapped and previewing those on tap. It was a simpler time. Now, though, much of my mid-week writing focuses on the NFL's insane stance on player punishment. I could end every post with "things can't get any more ridiculous next week, can they?" And, like clockwork, that's exactly what happens.
Last Thursday, it was announced that the league was fining Steelers safety Ryan Clark $5,000 for memorializing fallen former teammate Sean Taylor, which wasn't in accordance with the NFL's mourning policy. Classy.
Sports Bog's Dan Steinberg has a thoughtful post on the whole thing, and even talked to the commissioner about Clark's fine. Roger Goodell, who's more slick politician than high-powered executive, was predictably vague in his response:
"I don't know the specifics of it because I don't do [fines] on a daily basis, but we don't allow personal messages ... And everybody has an interest, everybody has something that's a good cause. But we're a team game, and we represent the NFL. So when we do something, as we did last year with Sean Taylor, we do it collectively."When Steinberg asked what was wrong with personalized messages, Goodell offered this: "Because everybody has their own individual causes ... This is a national platform. This is the NFL's platform, and all of its clubs'. We do things collectively. That's what the game of football is all about."
Steinberg astutely notes, however, that "people who play the game of football are individuals, many of whom have known tragedy, are one play away from no longer being part of the collective, and desire some sort of personalized inspiration while on the field." Which is seemingly obvious to everybody not currently occupying league offices.
I understand that uniformity is important -- it modifies behavior, after all (oh, wait) -- but shouldn't there be some discretion involved? I know, Mr. Goodell, you're concerned "that everybody has an interest" and if you don't police such stuff, the NFL will be overrun with guys changing their names to "Ocho Cinco." Maybe, but not likely.
One of the great orators of our time, Fred Smoot explains:
"[Fining Clark] ain't right," Smoot said. "C'mon man. That man played with Sean. They had a nice bond. Sometimes I think they're worried about all the wrong [stuff]. If you really want to do something, stop everybody from using steroids that's using steroids, instead of worrying about how the hell I'm dressed when I walk out there and play. You know what I'm saying? Worry about stuff that count, like people getting paralyzed. Continue to take care of them, instead of leaving them alone as soon as they out the damn NFL. Worry about something that really count, instead of the stuff that don't matter. That's something they good about doing."By the way, when Smoot runs circles around you in a debate, you're an epic failure. Stay hot, Rog. (And, yes, Fred, you're getting fined because, well, INSOLENCE WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. Or something.)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
11-07-2008 @ 9:05PM
Adam said...
Fred Smoot is my favorite big mouth in football.
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11-07-2008 @ 8:47PM
scott said...
Can we all agree that Goodell must go? I mean the NFL may as well stand for the No fun League or the National FIne League since it seems that's all this guy does is fine players. he is the most ridiculous commissioner in sports and if I was an NFl player. strike until he resigns. "Down with Goodell!"
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11-08-2008 @ 1:28PM
Carmella said...
Can someone please tell me where does the money go once these players pay these stupid fines? Does the commiss get part of it and that's why he finds so many ways to fine the players who actually are keeping him employed? When does this guy lose his job? To most of the players who get fined, what does it really teach em? oh, next season you can get it back in bonuses. Yes, this really is the National Fine League
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11-08-2008 @ 9:52AM
Thatsabsurd said...
Jackasses are jackasses. Goodell is a perfect fit in the jackass arena.
Just as the jackasses destroyed the economy with their jackass ideas Goodell has destroyed the NFL with his jackass ideas.
This too will fall into the abyss created by the jackass. just as this country has fallen into the abyss created by the jackasses.
I remember reading about another culture another dynasty that in their demise years follwed the same jackass principle and time line.......................now what was that called ??????? Oh yeah The Roman Empire.
They also looked around at their fame and infrastructure and said "It can't happen to us" Well guess what folks (and jackasses), It has happened.
See you in the anarchy.........but don't worry about the jackasses they are usually the ones beheaded.
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11-14-2008 @ 8:26AM
brad said...
Roger Goodell is going to ruin football. Labor harmony will be over. He just comes across like a power hungary monster. I hope the Players association stands up to this crap. The problem with forcing them into a corner of course is that soon enough Football will look a lot like Baseball-CRAP. Thanks so much Goodell you are about to ruin the best thing going.
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11-08-2008 @ 6:09PM
Thatsabsurd said...
Supposedly charity.
I think its buying Jackass food
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