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The NFL and the referees union have been in intense discussions over the past four days -- some in person, some of those talks over the telephone. One semi-constant presence at the meetings has been Roger Goodell.

According to various sources, Goodell has been professional and engaged. But one person familiar with the talks also described Goodell this way: as a passenger on a train controlled by NFL owners.

"I think if Roger had final say, this thing would have been settled months ago," said one source close to the situation. "But the owners are driving this and all Roger can do is watch and do what they want."

Ten-Point Stance: Goodell risks legacy over official mess with replacements - NFL - CBSSports.com News, Rumors, Scores, Stats, Fantasy

"A Veteran is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to "The United States of America" for an amount of "up to and including my life."

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goodell's legacy was far more than tarnished long before now