Goodbye Goodell

[superman7515]

Leading headline right now on HuffingtonPost.com is Goodbye Goodell in large red letters...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09/10/ray-rice-video-nfl_n_5800126.html


The National Football League's story about how it handled the Ray Rice (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/news/ray-rice/) domestic violence situation may be further unraveling.

The Associated Press reported (https://twitter.com/AP/status/509806406934204416) on Wednesday that an unnamed law enforcement official sent an NFL executive the video of Ray Rice punching his then-fiancee (http://www.tmz.com/2014/09/08/ray-rice-elevator-knockout-fiancee-takes-crushing-punch-video) in April, months before it was released by TMZ. The report contradicts the claim of NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell that no one in the league office had seen the footage before it became public on Monday.
In response to the report, the NFL issued a statement denying knowledge of the video being sent.
"We have no knowledge of this," NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy told ESPN (http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/11503851/ray-rice-videotape-sent-nfl-executive-april). "We are not aware of anyone in our office who possessed or saw the video before it was made public on Monday. We will look into it."
Goodell had insisted on Tuesday that "no one in the NFL, to my knowledge (http://www.cbsnews.com/news/nfl-commissioner-roger-goodell-doesnt-rule-out-ray-rice-playing-in-the-league-again/)" had seen the video of Rice punching his then-fiancee and now wife, Janay Palmer, in the elevator of an Atlantic City, N.J. casino until Monday.
"We assumed that there was a video," Goodell told Norah O'Donnell of "CBS This Morning" (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09/09/nfl-roger-goodell-ray-rice_n_5793466.html?utm_hp_ref=ray-rice) during his first interview after the shocking video made headlines and led to calls for his resignation. "We asked for video. But we were never granted that opportunity."

Many are saying that if the DVD was in the same building as his office and he's claiming they weren't able to get it and he never saw it, that's more troubling than if he had the tape and simply misjudged public opinion.

[superman7515]

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/11503851/ray-rice-videotape-sent-nfl-executive-april


ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. -- A law enforcement official says he sent a video of Ray Rice punching his then-fiancée to an NFL executive five months ago, while league executives have insisted they didn't see the violent images until this week.

The official played The Associated Press a 12-second voicemail from an NFL office number on April 9 confirming the video arrived. A female voice expresses thanks and says: "You're right. It's terrible."
The law enforcement official, speaking to the AP on condition of anonymity because of the ongoing investigation, says he had no further communication with any NFL employee and can't confirm anyone watched the video. He said he was unauthorized to release the video but shared it unsolicited because he wanted the NFL to have it before deciding on Rice's punishment.

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

1. Can you imagine the general corruption that has occurred in pro sports over the history? This is nothing more than Goodell being one of the very few that gets caught.
2. ESPN has become the most powerful media outlet in this country. People can debate the left/right/up/down news outlets but nothing comes close to ESPN....unless you consider the weather channel....

[Gil Dobie]

Unless there is a video of Goodell watching the video, the good ole boys club will keep him aboard.

[NoDak 4 Ever]

He just ordered an "independent probe" which should buy him 6 months or so.

[superman7515]

He just ordered an "independent probe" which should buy him 6 months or so.

Yeah, there are people already mad because the firm doing the "independent probe" has done work for Goodell, haha.

[clenz]

Unless there is a video of Goodell watching the video, the good ole boys club will keep him aboard.
If the video was anywhere in that building he is sliding way up he "f-ed in the A" scale real quick.

Remember when he collected over 18,000 documents for bountygate and told them "Ignorance isn't an excuse"?

So, is he now saying that he didn't put that much effort into this and is willing to plead ignorant?

[Gil Dobie]

Dung is getting deeper and people digging into Goodell's reign.

Sidespin Link (http://sidespin.kinja.com/roger-goodell-is-a-domestic-violence-enabler-who-must-b-1632385955)


There are 56 instances of domestic violence described below since Roger Goodell became NFL Commissioner (September 2006-present). Of those 56 instances, players were suspended for a combined 13 games (not including Rice's indefinite suspension, which cannot be quantified). Out of 56 instances, only 10 players were released by their team.

[superman7515]

They better hope they have it wrapped up and quiet before October; it's Domestic Abuse Awareness Month and also the month when the NFL is out there wearing pink to raise awareness for breast cancer and honor women. They could have a real **** storm on their hands if information is still leaking out during that period and the women's groups start protesting the way the animal rights groups were threatening to do.

[clenz]

They better hope they have it wrapped up and quiet before October; it's Domestic Abuse Awareness Month and also the month when the NFL is out there wearing pink to raise awareness for breast cancer and honor women. They could have a real **** storm on their hands if information is still leaking out during that period and the women's groups start protesting the way the animal rights groups were threatening to do.
Yup....


Also, the NFL doesn't really give two ****s about breast cancer awareness. They wear pink for a PR move and to make **** loads of money off of it.

[tribe_pride]

Dung is getting deeper and people digging into Goodell's reign.

What is the percentage of employees in all jobs nationwide who get suspended, terminated, etc for domestic violence. Not trying to take sides one way or another with respect to how much NFL should be punishing its players for domestic violence (except that domestic violence is bad) but how does the NFL compare with other employers/organizations?

Also, the 56 instances showed many instances where charges were dropped or the person was acquitted but it was 56 charges. It would be more interesting to figure out what was the real amount of those 56 times that someone did something (which is higher than if charges were dropped or acquitted)

[clenz]

What is the percentage of employees in all jobs nationwide who get suspended, terminated, etc for domestic violence. Not trying to take sides one way or another with respect to how much NFL should be punishing its players for domestic violence (except that domestic violence is bad) but how does the NFL compare with other employers/organizations?

Also, the 56 instances showed many instances where charges were dropped or the person was acquitted but it was 56 charges. It would be more interesting to figure out what was the real amount of those 56 times that someone did something (which is higher than if charges were dropped or acquitted)
I don't know the number but domestic abuse isn't really tolerated at any job I've ever been at/looked at.

I've watched HR people at my place throw applications away when they look at the public court records and see ANYTHING related to abuse/domestic abuse.

[tribe_pride]

I don't know the number but domestic abuse isn't really tolerated at any job I've ever been at/looked at.

I've watched HR people at my place throw applications away when they look at the public court records and see ANYTHING related to abuse/domestic abuse.

When you are hiring, I agree that that is an easy disqualifier in most situations. But what about once the person is already an employee which is what we are talking about here? That's my real question and I don't know the answer one way or the other.

[Professor Chaos]

What the NFL missed in this whole new inside the elevator video debacle was it shouldn't have made a difference whether anyone in their offices saw the new video or not. Everyone knew what happened in that elevator regardless of whether they saw the new video and the punishment was woefully inadequate in any case. What's troubling is the NFL thinking that it could lie about never seeing the video that it's pretty clear they did. They should've stuck to the "we ****ed up" story when the new video came out publicly and admitted it by suspending Rice indefinitely leaving it at that but instead they're continuing to bungle this situation at almost every turn.

[superman7515]

They should've stuck to the "we ****ed up" story when the new video came out publicly and admitted it by suspending Rice indefinitely leaving it at that but instead they're continuing to bungle this situation at almost every turn.

Agreed. Their PR department is working OT on this damage control and they just aren't getting out in front of it.

[Gil Dobie]

When you are hiring, I agree that that is an easy disqualifier in most situations. But what about once the person is already an employee which is what we are talking about here? That's my real question and I don't know the answer one way or the other.

If my company had a video of me assaulting a woman, and the local news media broadcast it. There would be a lot of pressure to fire my azz.

[superman7515]

http://grantland.com/the-triangle/roger-goodell-need-to-step-down/

My Thursday-night pick: Baltimore -2.5 over Pittsburgh. Who cares? Does ANYONE care? Let’s break out the special-edition “HOW THE HELL DOES ROGER GOODELL STILL HAVE A JOB?” mailbag!

But first … how the hell does Roger Goodell still have a job?

Seriously … how the hell does Roger Goodell still have a job?

In all caps … HOW THE HELL DOES ROGER GOODELL STILL HAVE A JOB?

In bolded, italicized caps … HOW THE HELL DOES ROGER GOODELL STILL HAVE A JOB?

One more time …

HOW THE HELL DOES ROGER GOODELL STILL HAVE A JOB?

My answers: I don’t know, I don’t know, I don’t know, I seriously don’t know, and I can’t f-​-​-​ing figure it out (I don’t know).

It’s official: Roger Goodell is the worst sports commissioner of my lifetime.

That’s something I nearly included in last week’s column about his embarrassingly incompetent eight-year reign (http://grantland.com/the-triangle/nfl-the-league-that-never-takes-a-break/), ultimately deciding that it might be too harsh. It’s not too harsh. He’s the worst. He’s worse than anyone in the original Lousy Commish Mount Rushmore: Fay Vincent, John Ziegler, Larry O’Brien and early Gary Bettman. He’s worse than whoever ran the NASL into the ground. He’s worse than Vince McMahon during that one XFL season. He’s worse than William Regal. (Inside joke for the WWE nerds.) He’s worse than the guys who ran the WFL, USFL and MISL (three leagues that no longer exist).

Goodell made history this week — for me, anyway — by becoming the first major sports commissioner ever to inspire me to say, “Doesn’t this feels like Nixon all over again?” How can the same scandal blow up in someone’s face THREE DIFFERENT TIMES? It’s impossible!...

[ALPHAGRIZ1]

When you are hiring, I agree that that is an easy disqualifier in most situations. But what about once the person is already an employee which is what we are talking about here? That's my real question and I don't know the answer one way or the other.

What if you are applying for a job as a pimp?

[ALPHAGRIZ1]

http://grantland.com/the-triangle/roger-goodell-need-to-step-down/

My Thursday-night pick: Baltimore -2.5 over Pittsburgh. Who cares? Does ANYONE care? Let’s break out the special-edition “HOW THE HELL DOES ROGER GOODELL STILL HAVE A JOB?” mailbag!

But first … how the hell does Roger Goodell still have a job?

Seriously … how the hell does Roger Goodell still have a job?

In all caps … HOW THE HELL DOES ROGER GOODELL STILL HAVE A JOB?

In bolded, italicized caps … HOW THE HELL DOES ROGER GOODELL STILL HAVE A JOB?

One more time …

HOW THE HELL DOES ROGER GOODELL STILL HAVE A JOB?

My answers: I don’t know, I don’t know, I don’t know, I seriously don’t know, and I can’t f-​-​-​ing figure it out (I don’t know).

It’s official: Roger Goodell is the worst sports commissioner of my lifetime.

That’s something I nearly included in last week’s column about his embarrassingly incompetent eight-year reign (http://grantland.com/the-triangle/nfl-the-league-that-never-takes-a-break/), ultimately deciding that it might be too harsh. It’s not too harsh. He’s the worst. He’s worse than anyone in the original Lousy Commish Mount Rushmore: Fay Vincent, John Ziegler, Larry O’Brien and early Gary Bettman. He’s worse than whoever ran the NASL into the ground. He’s worse than Vince McMahon during that one XFL season. He’s worse than William Regal. (Inside joke for the WWE nerds.) He’s worse than the guys who ran the WFL, USFL and MISL (three leagues that no longer exist).

Goodell made history this week — for me, anyway — by becoming the first major sports commissioner ever to inspire me to say, “Doesn’t this feels like Nixon all over again?” How can the same scandal blow up in someone’s face THREE DIFFERENT TIMES? It’s impossible!...

Before this Ray Rice incident Goodell was one of the slimiest scumbag politician POS there is in the USA, now hes worse than that, but exactly why he will stay in his position. We never get rid of the slime poluteing our congress why would this be any different?

[superman7515]

So now Adrian Peterson is out for a game due to child abuse allegations, then they bring him back and Radisson Hotels are so upset that their logo was visible in the press conference talking about his reinstatement that they have suspended their sponsorship of the Vikings.

Peterson claims he was just disciplining the child, apparently discipline involves beating the child with a stick until he bled from the scrotum, legs, and back. Interesting how that works out.

[superman7515]

Doesn't look like the Ray Rice situation is going away either, could get messy in October...

http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/nfl-commissioner-roger-goodell-criticized-airplane-banners-tv/story?id=25501781 (http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/nfl-commissioner-roger-goodell-criticized-airplane-banners-tv/story?id=25501781)


Sunday was a difficult day for NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.

Commentators on NFL pregame shows questioned his leadership, while banners flew over three stadiums, the message simple: “Goodell Must Go,” with criticism simmering over the commissioner’s handling of players accused of domestic violence.

The women’s advocacy group UltraViolet was behind the banners, which appeared in Cleveland, San Francisco and East Rutherford, N.J. Another banner plane is slated to fly over Indianapolis Monday.

“It is time for Roger Goodell to resign, and for the NFL to get serious about its commitment to ending violence against women within the league,” Nita Chaudhary, co-founder of UltraViolet, said in a release....

http://a.abcnews.com/images/Sports/AP_GOODELL_BANNER_140915_DG_4x3_992.jpg

[Bisonoline]

Still dont understand what personal family issues have to do with a players employment status? It seems way too many people not involved want their pound of flesh when its really none of their business. So what if the NFL tried to cover it up. They did nothing illegal. They are just trying to protect the NFL brand which equals $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$. Regardless. This is a legal issue for the courts to decide. Not the public with their knee jerk reactions.

[Texas]

Still dont understand what personal family issues have to do with a players employment status? It seems way too many people not involved want their pound of flesh when its really none of their business. So what if the NFL tried to cover it up. They did nothing illegal. They are just trying to protect the NFL brand which equals $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$. Regardless. This is a legal issue for the courts to decide. Not the public with their knee jerk reactions.

I agree. People forget it's a football league not the DoJ.

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Tapatalk

[walliver]

The NFL is entertainment, much like WWE. Yes, the NFL isn't scripted, but it's still really just entertainment.

NFL entertainers (players) are held to higher standards that Hollywood entertainers, but that's the nature of the business. NFL players are thought to be role models encouraging young kids to work hard and stay in school (I will wait a while for the laughter to die down). Hollywood types can do the Miley Cyrus and go from virginal promise-ring-wearing role models to full-on strippers without major consequences (other that being given millions of dollars).

The real issue for me is that professional sports are now the target of a full-blown McCarthism assault.

Donald Sterling, a man declared legally incompetent by a California court, complains that he doesn't want his half-black girlfriend openly banging black men. There is so much wrong with this situation. His remarks may be offensive, but the man is suffering from dementia, and let's face it ... what man wants his girlfriend openly banging other men of any race?

The Hawks primary owner sends an e-mail which demonstrates he actually understands the racial dynamics of Atlanta and is bullied into selling (or possibly manipulated his accusers into making him do what he wanted to do in the first place).

Jim Irsay made his own bed, but has felt the media's ire.

Tired of going after rich white owners, the media is now going after rich black players.

How far will it go? Will all professional players need to undergo annual background and criminal checks? Who will decide what crimes (accusations) deserve a lifetime ban, an one year ban, a several games suspension, or a pat on the back.

To me, the only offense which should produce a life-time ban is an offense that involves cheating (steroids, doping, or intentional injury to other players).

[dgtw]

Goodell needs to order the Redskins (I apologize to anyone offended by having to read that word) to change their name and the PC crowd will be nominating him to win the Nobel Peace Prize.

[Gil Dobie]

POS ESPN suspends Bill Simmons for calling Goodell a liar.

Not a big fan of Simmons, but he was telling the truth, where Goodell lies and keeps his job.


USA Today Link (http://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/09/espn-suspends-bill-simmons-nfl-goodell)



ESPN:


“Every employee must be accountable to ESPN and those engaged in our editorial operations must also operate within ESPN’s journalistic standards. We have worked hard to ensure that our recent NFL coverage has met that criteria. Bill Simmons did not meet those obligations in a recent podcast, and as a result we have suspended him for three weeks.”



Simmons — who has previously been suspended from Twitter by ESPN — said he would go “public” if someone punished him for his comments on the Goodell.


“I really hope somebody calls me or emails me and says I’m in trouble for anything I say about Roger Goodell, because if one person says that to me, I’m going public. You leave me alone. The commissioner’s a liar and I get to talk about that on my podcast. Thank you.”

[NoDak 4 Ever]

POS ESPN suspends Bill Simmons for calling Goodell a liar.

Not a big fan of Simmons, but he was telling the truth, where Goodell lies and keeps his job.


USA Today Link (http://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/09/espn-suspends-bill-simmons-nfl-goodell)

Naturally the ESPN wagons are circling. The ombudsman posted saying it was because he didn't have "proof" the Goodell was lying.

Bull****.

[Gil Dobie]

Naturally the ESPN wagons are circling. The ombudsman posted saying it was because he didn't have "proof" the Goodell was lying.

Bull****.

I'm done with the NFL as long as Goodell is in charge. Plenty of College Football and Basketball, NBA, NHL and MLB post season.

[Gil Dobie]

Tonight will be the first time in over 40 years I will not be watching the Packers play the Vikings. Not that the NFL will miss my viewership, I'm just not going to waste my time supporting the hypocrisy of Roger Goodell and the NFL.

[superman7515]

Tonight will be the first time in over 40 years I will not be watching the Packers play the Vikings. Not that the NFL will miss my viewership, I'm just not going to waste my time supporting the hypocrisy of Roger Goodell and the NFL.

I'll give you props for actually putting your money where your mouth is. Kudos to you for that.