Can we now officially drop all pretense that Goodell cares about player safety?

Last week, former Saints and current Browns LB Scott Fujita offered up the best rebuttal to Der Commish:

Link

quote:
October 10, 2012 Statement from @scottfujita99: "I'm pleased the Commissioner has finally acknowledged that I never participated in any so-called "bounty" program, as I've said for the past 7 months. However, his condescending tone was neither accurate nor productive. Additionally, I am now purportedly being suspended for failing to confront my former defensive coordinator for his inappropriate use of language. This seems like an extremely desperate attempt to punish me. I also think it sets a bad precedent when players can be disciplined for not challenging the behavior of their superiors. This is an absolute abuse of the power that's been afforded to the Commissioner.

For me, the issue of player health & safety is personal. For the league and the Commissioner, it's about perception & liability.

The Commissioner says he is disappointed in me. The truth is, I’m disappointed in him. His positions on player health and safety since a 2009 congressional hearing on concussions have been inconsistent at best. He failed to acknowledge a link between concussions & post-career brain disease, pushed for an 18-game regular season, committed to a full season of Thursday night games, has continually challenged players' rights to file workers compensation claims for on-the-job injuries, and he employed incompetent replacement officials for the start of the 2012 season. His actions or lack thereof are by the league’s own definition, “conduct detrimental”.

My track record on the issue of player health & safety speaks for itself. And clearly, as I just listed, the Commissioner's does too."

Couldn't have said it better myself.

10/15/128:12 PM

Original Post

Replies sorted oldest to newest

FedyaMember

Goodell cares about player safety just as much as the Saints do.

10/15/128:16 PM

Orlando WolfMember

Just not a Goodell fan at all. Heard enough and seen enough.

10/15/128:19 PM

phaedrusMember

Wow, that is one powerful text.

10/15/128:20 PM

Armored N.O. SaintMember

quote:
Originally posted by Fedya:
Goodell cares about player safety just as much as the Saints do.

I know that you couldn't resist the little dig there.

However, as more comes out about this whole episode, it's becoming more apparent that perception is not always reality (on all fronts).

10/15/128:24 PM

IL_Pack_FanMember

This isn't directed at you in any way, Armored, and I know the Packers have filled their share of headlines in recent years, but has anyone else reached absolute fatigue with this story?
I understand there are implications in regards to Goodells power that reach beyond just NO, but I can't imagine anyone outside of that city possibly giving a **** anymore.

10/15/128:33 PM

H5Keyboard Warrior, troll hunter

Wow

@mortreport: Browns LB Scott Fujita has neck injury team & player fear is career ender, per sources. 11 yrs in NFL.

10/15/128:48 PM

Timmy!TIMMAAAAYYY!!

Well said, IL.
Fans should concentrate on learning formations and plays, and studying the tendencies of their teams to be knowledgeable fans. This kind of fodder is for the talking heads of the world, not fans.
I'm one of many that clamor for Goodell to be replaced, but until Bob Kraft, Jerry Jones, and their ilk have a problem with him, It's highly unlikely anything would happen.
And isn't interesting that these talking heads aren't investigating and reporting on how Goodell's actions may have huge legal and/or financial implications to the league, not to mention the integrity of the game, and so much more instead of constantly stirring pots to ellicit comments? Talk about pretenses...

10/15/129:00 PM

Armored N.O. SaintMember

quote:
Originally posted by IL_Pack_Fan:
This isn't directed at you in any way, Armored, and I know the Packers have filled their share of headlines in recent years, but has anyone else reached absolute fatigue with this story?
I understand there are implications in regards to Goodells power that reach beyond just NO, but I can't imagine anyone outside of that city possibly giving a **** anymore.

I can definitely understand the fatigue factor as BSPN and the rest of the national sports media have bludgeoned the hell out of this story since March. Believe me, there's a lot of Saints fans who are tired of hearing about it. They just want to muddle through the 2012 season the best way they can and get it behind them.

However, I think the story still has relevance because of how this season is unfolding so far, as Fujita pointed out in his text. Goodell will protect the shield, even to the point of contradicting himself. Of course, the commissioners of the other three major sports are not much better, but I digress.

10/15/129:08 PM

Armored N.O. SaintMember

quote:
Originally posted by Hungry5:
Wow

@mortreport: Browns LB Scott Fujita has neck injury team & player fear is career ender, per sources. 11 yrs in NFL.

I saw that. Sad that his career will probably have to end this way, but he's had a good career and has a bright future in coaching if he wants to pursue it.

10/15/129:11 PM

FedyaMember

Didn't the coaches admit their involvement?

10/15/129:17 PM

Armored N.O. SaintMember

quote:
Originally posted by Fedya:
Didn't the coaches admit their involvement?

Only under duress from Goodell because fighting the allegations and suspensions would result in much worse punishment for them.

Gregg Williams wants to be reinstated by the NFL so bad that he's willing to sign a statement that was written for him to help facilitate that process.

I know that sounds like tin-foil hat talk, but too much about this whole sordid episode and Goodell's handling of it stinks to high heaven.

10/15/129:26 PM

titmfatiedNo Code

Players have to fight for years while this was swept under the rug. The amount of detail and denial in that article makes for a whole lot of smoke.

10/15/129:40 PM

Armored N.O. SaintMember

quote:
Originally posted by titmfatied:
Players have to fight for years while this was swept under the rug. The amount of detail and denial in that article makes for a whole lot of smoke.

Loomis was cleared after a thorough investigation into those allegations.

10/15/129:44 PM

titmfatiedNo Code

There's always an investigation. Have to make the law seem fair.

quote:
State Police find no evidence that Saints GM Mickey Loomis eavesdropped

After a four-month investigation, Louisiana State police said they've found no indication that New Orleans Saints General Manger Mickey Loomis eavesdropped on conversations involving opposing team coaches. "As of today there is no corrobarating evidence of fact," State Police Col. Mike Edmonson said Monday.

Incidentally, Edmonson met with reporters in the Benson Tower, a downtown New Orleans building across the street from the Superdome and owned by the Saints' owner. The high-rise houses numerous state offices, including the New Orleans office of the State Police.

I'm sure Benson has no political connections and even if he does it's comforting knowing Louisiana is a model government when it comes to eliminating corruption. People like Tom Benson can make the things go away that they want to go away. This is such a case.

10/15/1210:01 PM

Ghost of LambeauMember

quote:
Can we now officially drop all pretense that Goodell cares about player safety?

Is that a politically correct thing to do?

10/15/1210:06 PM

Music CityMember

Why is it the insistence of those who despise Goodell that he is somehow acting on his own? Roger Goodell represents the owners of the teams. He advocates on their behalf. It could even be said that he is not in a position to make his own policy. It is my belief that Goodell is paid handsomely to take the arrows to save the owners from Takng the heat for these kinds of issues. Roger Goodell does not stand to lose billions in a class action lawsuit if it is proven that the league knew about head trauma in their game causing suicide and other debilitating conditions. But the owners sure do...

10/15/1211:04 PM

RatPackMember

This will be an interesting week. MNF 9ers vs Bores.

ESPN has to be a little down that a solid draw just got less with a chance of both teams showing up without their best QB. Roger will need to get in front of the concussion topic this week because it will be front page for the next 8 days.

As for Roger working for the owners you need to remember who the owners work for. TV. Look for more measures to protect QB coming soon.

11/12/127:23 AM

TdogProspective Member

quote:
“That’s why you gotta judge if you don’t want to play,” Urlacher said. “Don’t want to get concussed, don’t play. It’s your career, it’s your life. You have to make that decision on your own. Some guys have shut it down because of that. That’s the value of after football, I guess. If I got concussed a lot, I probably wouldn’t keep playing.”

this is about what it ALL boils down to for me.

11/15/122:16 PM

ChilliJonI hate the Vikings!

quote:
From Urlacher’s standpoint, knee injuries caused by cut blocks are a bigger deal than concussions.

“Huge because a knee injury can put you out for a season,” he said. “A concussion you may miss a game or two. Huge difference.”

Quote from the same article. He's no deep thinker.

I thought the "if I got concussed a lot I probably wouldn't keep playing" comment was interesting. Cutler just suffered his 6th.

11/15/122:28 PM

Satori"...going where the climate suits my clothes"

quote:
Originally posted by RatPack:

ESPN has to be a little down that a solid draw just got less with a chance of both teams showing up without their best QB.

As for Roger working for the owners you need to remember who the owners work for. TV. Look for more measures to protect QB coming soon.

Unfortunately, the handwriting is on the wall and soon enough QBs will be untouchable, the beginning of the end of football as we know it

There are simply too few NFL QBs available to allow them in harms way...with so much ratings money at stake.

Given how the League fought the Refs over a couple million, zero chance they sit back and allow the marquis guys get injured and their bottom line impacted

"Watching a Patriots game without Tom Brady is like going to see Lethal Weapon without Mel Gibson"

Robert Kraft

11/15/123:04 PM

TdogProspective Member

I think it can cut both ways. I'm not watching football if the QB is untouchable. it will be the end for me.

11/15/123:09 PM

18c3vMember

A way out of this spiral:

Rules changes to favor the running game and hinder the passing game.

11/15/123:56 PM

PackerRussDo I amuse you?!

Arena Football is where this league is going. I didn't think it would be heading there so fast, but at least it should keep the salaries in check.

11/15/124:09 PM

Ghost of LambeauMember

quote:
Originally posted by 18c3v:
A way out of this spiral:
Rules changes to favor the running game and hinder the passing game.

Allow for the mugging of receivers? Sherman - #25 for Seattle - has a head start on this - and he isn't getting called for anything.

11/15/126:22 PM

Dr._BobMember

quote:
I thought the "if I got concussed a lot I probably wouldn't keep playing" comment was interesting. Cutler just suffered his 6th.

Yes, but he only remembers three.

11/15/127:13 PM

GBFanForLifeLarge Member

5. Goodellisms, and the consequences. Goodell said at Harvard, "We may see different helmets for different positions." He said there may be a weight limit for players on kick teams. And added that mandatory knee and thigh pads will be enforced next year. All of this, plus concussion awareness, will be the talk of football this weekend, and should be.

Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.c...x.html#ixzz2CQMLRVME

The guy is an idiot. Weight limits for players on kick teams? What are they going to do, weigh the guys before each kickoff or punt?

11/16/123:41 PM

TdogProspective Member

enjoy football as it is while you can. it's gonna go the way of the dinosaurs.
yeah, maybe each team should be allowed to carry 13 high school footballers just for kickoffs. yeah, that's the ticket!

11/16/123:50 PM

FandameMember

Think how much fun it would be to see a weight limit of a minimum of 300 lbs...

11/16/124:00 PM

titmfatiedNo Code

quote:
Originally posted by Tdog:
enjoy football as it is while you can. it's gonna go the way of the dinosaurs.
yeah, maybe each team should be allowed to carry 13 high school footballers just for kickoffs. yeah, that's the ticket!

They can always set up shop in some third world craphole where they don't have to worry about lawsuits.

11/16/126:00 PM

Dr._BobMember

quote:
Weight limits for players on kick teams? What are they going to do, weigh the guys before each kickoff or punt?

Great, then we'll need to add bulemia to the list of health concerns for NFL players.

11/16/126:29 PM

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