The Anthem Policy: Another Signature Moment for Roger Goodell and the Blundering NFL
Throughout Roger Goodell’s tenure as NFL commissioner, he has developed a reputation as a leader who allows moderately divisive issues to fester. Whether it was expensive investigations, drawn-out suspensions or arcane rules changes, Goodell has come across largely as an executive who checks the direction of the wind before finally making a decision.
On Wednesday, a far more significant lack of fortitude was displayed in full for the NFL community and country at large when, in addressing the NFL’s new national anthem policy, Goodell attempted to filibuster, then rushed away from the podium after taking just three questions.
The policy requires “all league and team personnel” on the field during the national anthem to stand. All other personnel must remain “in the locker room or in a similar location off the field until after the Anthem has been performed.” It subjects individual NFL clubs to fines if their players do not comply, and gives the commissioner unilateral authority to impose “appropriate discipline” for those “who do not stand and show respect for the flag and the Anthem.” (Why the word “anthem” is capitalized in the league’s statement is a mystery.)
In a statement, Goodell attempted to save face with the players he had just alienated by saying, “It was unfortunate that on-field protests created a false perception among many that thousands of NFL players were unpatriotic. This is not and was never the case.” He did not, however, back up those words with action, instead allowing the owners who voted for this resolution to speak—and politick—for themselves in the aftermath. Even then, statements from owners such as Jed York of the 49ers and Christopher Johnson of the Jets suggest that this was not the unified front Goodell suggested it was.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/the-anthem-policy-another-signature-moment-for-roger-goodell-and-the-blundering-nfl/ar-AAxKIGv?li=BBnba9I
