We might be reaching the point where an interesting dynamic will unfold. I'm sure many teams refused to bench talented players because they don't want to pay the price by losing on the field, but the NFL is getting to a point in the season where teams are dropping out of contention. I wouldn't be surprised to see a few teams start dropping some of their protesting players -- even star players -- to the inactive roster on game days.
Disagree. The NFL owns the game. Their rules are followed by the owners.
FLASHBACK: NFL Banned Teams From Honoring Murdered Cops; Threatened Players Honoring 9/11
“The NFL has no authority to discipline players over this crap.”
That’s an ignorant statement since you have not read all the involved contracts and agreements.
I disagree. There are many instances where Goodell ruled with an iron fist and never consulted "owners." I don't recall there being a meeting about 9/11 references on cleats when they were outlawed. Was there a meeting with owners about the Cowboys honoring LEO killed defending BLM protests? Just fines as I recall.
I don't follow it that closely today. But as I understand it, there are branding rules in place and there was a rule about standing for the National Anthem. All the Commissioner needed to do was be consistent with former management policy and ruling.
They can save money AND recover their reputation. This author, by the way, with this picture, is giving the NFL a way back.
All they have to do is take it.
America is rising. Football is intergenerational. Less so now, but it can be going forward:
No Felons
Pro America
Pro Family
Pro Child
Pro Entertainment
Anti Political
It’s possible. I grew up admiring what Madden could do with rejects. Joe Montana, playing with a concussion, no time left, winning the game with an improbable throw to the end zone. Fran Tarkington, five times a bridesmaid, HOF’er and absolutely a hero for how he coped with amazing success and bitter failure.
I can’t imagine my childhood without football. We used to emulate those guys playing nerf football in the street in the summer until the streetlights come on. So many great memories.
Goodell could lead. He’s acting like a lobbyist, not a man defending a brand. He could have built a coalition of owners that aren’t stupid and this could have been over before it started. Instead, Goodell told them if they made a fuss, they’d be painted as slave drivers and there was nothing they could do about it. (Which is abjectly untrue - tweet the player’s signature at the bottom of his big fact contract and the whole thing is done).
I want these guys to pull up out of this death spin. I don’t think they will.
The owners have absolute control over who is on their rosters and who is on the field. That is all the authority they need. Most of these players are not political kamikazes - if they see another player get cut over a stunt like this, they'll fall in line. But give the players no guidance and it is like the power going out in a big city on a hot night. Most NFL contracts are not guaranteed and even if those that are do not prevent the player from being cut or benched.
At least not without putting it into the Collective Bargaining Agreement, which will be negotiated again soon.
Wrong. Goodell had the powers to end the problem as soon as it started. He chose poorly, which he has done over and over again. He is incompetent at his job, making him the most overpaid person in the country.