Well Terry Bradshaw. Looks like you are going to be disappointed that Steelers quraterback Ben Roethlisberger’s suspension has been reduced from six to four games after he violated the NFL’s Personal Conduct Policy in April when a woman accused him of sexual assault at a bar in Georgia after a night of drinking.
Bradshaw made sure he expressed his hopes that Goodell would stand firm on the six-game suspension.
“Going to bars…treating women like that. Oh my God,” the Hall of Famer said on Wednesday at the AdvoCare Independence Bowl Kickoff Luncheon at Shreveport Country Club.
“I pray they don’t cut (his NFL suspension) to four games. I hope they leave it at six. There is no excuse for that. The egos get out of hand.”
And here’s my time to express my displeasure with Goodell’s decision, and his whole philosophy in dealing with NFL player misconduct over the past few years. Although Roethlisberger was not charged, this is the second case of a woman accusing him of sexual assault, the first stemming from an incident in Nevada in 2008.
He obviously is not getting the big picture here, or has learned his lesson if two years later, a similar slip-up has occurred. According to Goodell, who met with Roethlisberger in New York Sept. 3 to discuss the matter, he has been in compliance with his demands, and has been practicing good behavior.
Yeah. The only reason he is doing that is so he CAN get his suspension reduced, thus allowing him to play for three-fourths of the regular season.
But no surprise here. This is the same NFL commissioner who reinstated Michael Vick, despite his felony conviction for an illegal dog fighting operation at his Virginia Beach home and his subsequent incarceration.
The same NFL Commissioner who reinstated receiver Donte Stallworth. In case you did not remember, Stallworth struck and killed a Miami pedestrian while under the influence of alcohol. That’s vehicular manslaughter. Yet gambling will get Pete Rose banned for life?
Vehicular manslaughter and felonies are not to be taken likely. These are grown men. Not little kids who get a little slap on the wrist or timeout because they were teasing poor little Susan.
Goodell is making it acceptable for negligence to occur on a regular basis. What message are you trying to send by reducing a suspension just because he hasn’t been bar hopping and participating in another sex capade since the suspension.
These guys make way too much money and mean too much to their teams to be making such irresponsible decisions. Roethlisberger has a history with this kind of stuff. This was supposed to be the time to lay down the law and stand firm, setting a precedent for other players.
Instead, Roethlisberger gets what he wants, and you make the NFL front office look weak and powerless. The collective baragaining agreement expires after this season.
You give them an inch they want a mile, so do not be surprised to see a lock out next season because the player’s union is unwilling to cooperate with the NFL.
Goodell. You have disappointed NFL fans in so many ways. From Vick to Stallworth to Roethlisberger. You have made it acceptable for star players to act like children in an adult game.
Just like Bradshaw, I was hoping to god the suspension would remain in tact, but due to his history of letting players off easy, I certainly thought better.
Attention all NFL players. If you get a suspension, just play kiss-ass with Goodell and he will reduce your suspension. A weak and powerless leader for such a storied league. What a disgrace.