Should Goodell Resign?

By Casey Lee

According to ESPN back in February, Baltimore Raven Ray Rice was charged with simple assault after hitting his then fiancée, Janay Palmer. A few days after the incident, TMZ released video footage of Rice dragging her body out of an elevator. In late March, Rice was indicted by a grand jury on a charge of third-degree aggravated assault. In early May, he plead not guilty to the aggravated assault charge and in late July, the NFL announced a two-game suspension for Rice. After major criticism and backlash, in late August, the NFL announced more severe punishment for domestic violence incidents. Months later, TMZ released footage of Rice striking Palmer in the face and knocking her unconscious. Hours later, Rice was cut from the team and received an indefinite suspension from the NFL.

Since then, the NFL has been plagued with one bad incident after another. Back in July, Carolina Panther Greg Hardy was found guilty of assaulting his former girlfriend and threatening to kill her. This past week, nearly two months later, Hardy was put on the NFL’s exempt list and has been ordered to sit out while his domestic violence case is appealed. On top of that, Minnesota Viking Adrian Peterson was indicted for reckless or negligent injury to a child. Nearly thirty minutes later, the Vikings deactivated Peterson for their week 2 game. By September 15, it was believed that Peterson would be allowed to play in the week 3 game. Later that day, a previous allegation of child abuse by Peterson is reported. Finally, on September 17, the Vikings placed Peterson on the NFL’s exempt list.

The NFL and commissioner Roger Goodell are now in hot water. Goodell, who hadn't been heard from in nearly two weeks, held a press conference on Friday. Almost everyone, from the media to current players and former players, agreed the conference lacked substance and sincerity. During the press conference Goodell announced that the league will develop a new personal conduct policy, establish a conduct committee to monitor off-the-field issues, and brought up the Ray Rice and Adrian Peterson incidents several times. "I disappointed myself," said Goodell. "I disappointed the NFL. I disappointed our fans."

From the looks of it, few were impressed by Goodell. Since the press conference he's received harsh criticism for what was said during the conference, and how he's handled this situation overall. "In my personal opinion, being a former player," former New England Patriots and ESPN analyst Tedy Bruschi said on the air, "I want a new commissioner to lead my league." Several players also voiced their disapproval. Baltimore Ravens Torrey Smith tweeted, "what Roger just said is the exact same thing that players say when they make a mistake and plead their case." Retired American football wide receive Sidney Rice followed up with, "I know some people that got it wrong and don't have a job anymore. Does this mean it's okay to get it wrong? You gain 0 yards on an [incomplete] pass!" It seems as though many were hoping Goodell would resign. Unfortunately for him, it doesn't sound like this controversy will be going away any time soon.