mutineer10

As much as I hate it, I'm fearful that you're correct.

The bottom line is, Goodell has basically been granted absolute power, and here's what the NFLPA got for their trouble. This is what happens when there are no checks & balances ...

saintfan

Yes. And this is why I think the NFLPA should gather everyone on a conference call and say something like this:

"We believe the Union should strike because, as has been seen, Roger Goodell will stop at nothing to further the league's agenda that it cares about player safety. We submit that he has lied to congress, personally supported the doctor, paid for by the NFL, who boldly stated that you, the players are at no greater risk for head trauma because you play in the NFL than any other person, has a history of destroying evidence, over-the-top fines and penalties, and that each of you are subject to this extremely unfair 'system of justice' simply by stepping onto the field. The ONLY way we can exercise any control over this system which has proven to be completely unfair to you, the players, is to Strike with these two demands: 1) Roger Goodell must step down as Commissioner of the NFL and 2) a system of checks and balances that spreads the decision making power among fair, impartial persons, be put in place immediately."

Now I know it will never happen, but I swear to all that is holy if I were in a position to influence players in the NFL I would do everything in my power to make it happen.

C'mon Man...

TheOak

Trust me brother... I hate it as much as 1/2 the board combined... Goodells power is just another example of empty suits being paid to do a job and being ill equipped to do it correctly.

DeMaurice Smith is incapable of managing the NFLPA as it needs to be managed. He is a combination of two career paths that are on their own not considered either transparent or remotely honest. He is a lawyer with a Bachelors in Political Science. Lawyer/politician. (no disrespect to any of the lawyers here)... ambulance chasing scum has ruined the names of the good.

I understand he was elected unanimously... by a group of people not exactly known for intelligent choices... If they were, there wouldn't be all the whining from once millionaires that are now broke.

Especially when I read that the Union awarded him a $1M bonus LOL
Union awards $1 million bonus to DeMaurice Smith - The Washington Post

So the NFLPA has the money to give Smith a $1M bonus but not to give retired players investment advice?

So in essence... DeMaurice Smith was given $1,000,000.00 to give complete control to Roger Goodell. I smell something fishy...

Halo

Sure Goodell has absolute power... in the NFL Kangaroo court, but Goodell cannot break the law. The CBA gives Goodell the power to punish players by handing down suspensions, but it does NOT give Goodell is the ability to make false public statements aimed at players to intentionally hurt their reputation and career.

Goodell will get away with whatever he wants in his kangaroo courtroom at the NFL offices, the CBA gives him that power. But when Goodell is called into a federal courtroon, when the plaintiff (Vilma) asks for evidence, a powerpoint will probably not suffice and Goodell will pay $$$$$ proportional to his arrogance and lack of understanding and vision.