Mackeyser
Supernovas are where gold forms; the only place.
- Joined
- Apr 26, 2013
- Messages
- 14,491
- Name
- Mack
Since he's clearly not getting fired, at least the steps he's taking are the right steps.
And I do think they are the right steps. I think a Conduct Commission has been in order for some time and I think that he's clearly starting to listen to SERIOUS people who have expertise in these matters. He's not just kow-towing to the pressure from advocacy groups, he seems to really have listened.
If that's actually happened, then that's good.
I still think very little of Roger Goodell, because... CTE. The NFL had evidence that repetitive concussion led to CTE, ALS and other neurologic and neurocognitive disorders and diseases and did NOT disclose it for 3 years during pending litigation, thus allowing an entire "generation" of player to not engage in informed consent. Worse, rather than NOT say one way or the other, they continued to actually disseminate the wrong information "so as to not damage their case". It may have been a legal strategy, but it was unconscionable and grotesque and morally reprehensible and wrong. So, when Roger Goodell EVER says he cares about player health and safety, I just...spit.
But... he wants this job. So much so that he's clearly pulling out all the stops. And in this case, he's had to admit he doesn't know how to put out this fire, (hint: it requires having a moral compass, so he had to hire outside people...). He knows the NFL can't and won't solve the problem of domestic violence or child abuse alone, but it has enormous influence and with that enormous responsibility.
I have to be true to my principles and judge Goodell on his actions. Normally, it's pretty easy, as he's been completely amoral and consistently wrong on everything other than making money for the league. However, I think he may just be turning the corner on this.
I'm not ready to say that he's got it right because... well, we have to see what the Conduct Commission comes up with. It's expected to be VERY comprehensive. I expect that in conjunction with the NFLPA that there will be LOTS of information dissemination going on this off-season between the NFL, NFLPA, teams, staff, agents and players.
On a personal note, I will say this. When this story broke, the number of calls to the National DV hotline spiked 84% if I have that number correct. Goodell cited 80% in his presser, but I read an earlier in depth article quoting the spokesperson for the hotline at 84%. Anyway... they couldn't help HALF of those women (presumably). That means that women in dire circumstances finally got up the courage to call, finally broke through the fear, the grounded fear that abuse victims know all too well that leaving is the most dangerous part... and the phone went unanswered.
There are times when Sport leads society. Why? Because Sports is the crucible in which we distill human virtue. Race, gender, sexual orientation, and now ending domestic violence are areas where Sports can or has lead.
But lead where? Too often folks say, "lead" but lead where? Social, cultural and legal changes, that's where.
Stories came out this week of hundreds of thousands of untested rape kits going back as far as 30 years. Law enforcement just hasn't given a CRAP about prosecuting rape, let alone DV. Things like this major story hopefully will be the beginnings of a host of changes that lead to more than Ravens fans exchanging Ray Rice Jerseys.
The NFL was part of the problem by acquiescing to a broken legal system. Now, by acknowledging that the system doesn't work and holding themselves and their employees to a higher standard, they can lead and have the question be asked, "why isn't there a law against that?" "why aren't punishments more like this?" "if the NFL can support victims and it's a football league, why can't society?"
This is an opportunity and it looks like Goodell and the NFL is seizing it and for the right reasons, meaning beyond profit (although certainly with all the major sponsors chiming in this week, profit was certainly front and center).
I certainly hope they make the best of it. It's in everyone's best interest that they do so.
And I do think they are the right steps. I think a Conduct Commission has been in order for some time and I think that he's clearly starting to listen to SERIOUS people who have expertise in these matters. He's not just kow-towing to the pressure from advocacy groups, he seems to really have listened.
If that's actually happened, then that's good.
I still think very little of Roger Goodell, because... CTE. The NFL had evidence that repetitive concussion led to CTE, ALS and other neurologic and neurocognitive disorders and diseases and did NOT disclose it for 3 years during pending litigation, thus allowing an entire "generation" of player to not engage in informed consent. Worse, rather than NOT say one way or the other, they continued to actually disseminate the wrong information "so as to not damage their case". It may have been a legal strategy, but it was unconscionable and grotesque and morally reprehensible and wrong. So, when Roger Goodell EVER says he cares about player health and safety, I just...spit.
But... he wants this job. So much so that he's clearly pulling out all the stops. And in this case, he's had to admit he doesn't know how to put out this fire, (hint: it requires having a moral compass, so he had to hire outside people...). He knows the NFL can't and won't solve the problem of domestic violence or child abuse alone, but it has enormous influence and with that enormous responsibility.
I have to be true to my principles and judge Goodell on his actions. Normally, it's pretty easy, as he's been completely amoral and consistently wrong on everything other than making money for the league. However, I think he may just be turning the corner on this.
I'm not ready to say that he's got it right because... well, we have to see what the Conduct Commission comes up with. It's expected to be VERY comprehensive. I expect that in conjunction with the NFLPA that there will be LOTS of information dissemination going on this off-season between the NFL, NFLPA, teams, staff, agents and players.
On a personal note, I will say this. When this story broke, the number of calls to the National DV hotline spiked 84% if I have that number correct. Goodell cited 80% in his presser, but I read an earlier in depth article quoting the spokesperson for the hotline at 84%. Anyway... they couldn't help HALF of those women (presumably). That means that women in dire circumstances finally got up the courage to call, finally broke through the fear, the grounded fear that abuse victims know all too well that leaving is the most dangerous part... and the phone went unanswered.
There are times when Sport leads society. Why? Because Sports is the crucible in which we distill human virtue. Race, gender, sexual orientation, and now ending domestic violence are areas where Sports can or has lead.
But lead where? Too often folks say, "lead" but lead where? Social, cultural and legal changes, that's where.
Stories came out this week of hundreds of thousands of untested rape kits going back as far as 30 years. Law enforcement just hasn't given a CRAP about prosecuting rape, let alone DV. Things like this major story hopefully will be the beginnings of a host of changes that lead to more than Ravens fans exchanging Ray Rice Jerseys.
The NFL was part of the problem by acquiescing to a broken legal system. Now, by acknowledging that the system doesn't work and holding themselves and their employees to a higher standard, they can lead and have the question be asked, "why isn't there a law against that?" "why aren't punishments more like this?" "if the NFL can support victims and it's a football league, why can't society?"
This is an opportunity and it looks like Goodell and the NFL is seizing it and for the right reasons, meaning beyond profit (although certainly with all the major sponsors chiming in this week, profit was certainly front and center).
I certainly hope they make the best of it. It's in everyone's best interest that they do so.
