Commissioner Roger Goodell Cleaning Up the NFL

Commissioner Roger Goodell should be commended on the way he's handled the barrage of bad behavior regarding some players in the National Football League. Goodell took over the job of commissioner from Paul Taglibue in August of 2006. A year later, the new commissioner introduced a new conduct policy. "It is important that the NFL be represented consistently by outstanding people as well as great football players, coaches, and staff. We hold ourselves to higher standards of responsible conduct because of what it means to be part of the National Football League.

To date, six players have been suspended for violating the conduct policy. In 2007, the first year of the policy, three players were suspended, Adam Jones, Tank Williams, and Chris Henry. Subsequently, three other players have been suspended.

Quarterback Michael Vick, was suspended after his dog fighting conviction. Buffalo Bills running back Marshawn Lynch was suspended after a gun charge conviction, and will miss the first three games of the 2009 season. Cleveland Browns receiver, Donte Stallworth, was suspended indefinitely by Goodell after his conviction of DUI manslaughter. Plaxico Burress, the free agent wide receiver, has yet to be punished by the league, because his legal case has been delayed until September. Hopefully, Goodell won't let Burress make a mockery out of the league, like he and his attorney have done with the law. Plaxico Burress is charged with carrying a loaded, concealed weapon into a New York club.

Regardless of how long Burress delays the case, he will eventually also face suspension, bringing the total to seven. Commissioner Goodell has made no secret of his zero tolerance for players who misbehave. The NFL doesn't need to be a league of choir boys, but it doesn't have to be a league that tolerates players who believe laws don't apply to them.

Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Football_League_player_conduct_controversy