I did not intend for this to become a soap box it just sort of did. The tl:dr is the "integrity of the shield' is a marketing gimmick.

This should not disillusion anyone but the shield is a business venture and being founded as such has no integrity, or has no more integrity than any multi-million/billion dollar corporation. "Integrity of the Shield" is a virtue phrase used as a basis to dole out punitive action on grown men who act like children. This is just like HR requiring everyone to attend an annual Code of Business Conduct refresher. It is a facade. If the shield had integrity minorities and females wouldn't have been treated the way they were for decades.

Every action taken by the league in my lifetime has been to further advance the business, not protect the integrity of a sport, or ensure bias and bigotry did not exist within its walls. Anyone who talks about southern plantation owners making money off the backs of black slaves needs to take a hard look at the NFL, NBA, and Boxing. Sure, they get paid but the NFL is not valued at $143+BN because they shared in the spoils.

- Halftime is to generate viewership. For those that have forgotten, they sell the Half Time show, they don't choose it.
- Advancements in helmet and pad design is to mitigate litigation.
- Rules to protect the QB are to protect an investment.
- Rules to make the game more exciting are to generate viewership.
- Punishments for the supposedly illegal bounty program was to protect public image. There was not 'a bounty program', bounties were systemic in the league decades before.

At no time has any commissioner since Elmer Layden said "we need to get back to our roots".

This is Professional Wrestling with a ball and green surface (which in most cases is also fake). I know this when I watch it. The refs are doing as they are told.

Well said Oak. And I smile every time I see your avatar.