Bounty Gate: What The Lifted Penalties Mean for Roger Goodell’s Power in the NFL

Jonathan Vilma and the other three players who has punishments levied against them are now free men, but the ripple effect from this extends far beyond just these four players and effects a league that has long grown tired of what they deem as a tyrant in charge.

Roger Goodell is the biggest loser of they day and that’s because he basically has to eat his shoe. Here was a guy who was smugly standing behind the punishments handed down, going on television saying how his league wouldn’t tolerate this kind of action.

Not only was Goodell talking about the pay-for-play scheme in New Orleans, he was talking about players openly and publicly questioning his leadership and decisions. When he spoke with reporters at the Hall of Fame game, Goodell sounded like a man who knew he was right even though he may not be, but he didn’t want to question his own leadership.

He had already placed his stake, and to him others better rally behind him.

The punishment was awfully severe and the fact that it now has been thrown out the window, opens up Goodell to a barrage of criticism. Not everyone in the NFL was a fan of the harsh punishment and now Goodell will have to answer to this ruling whenever he hands down another severe punishment.

The irony of all this is Goodell handed down such severe punishments to put the players and their egos in check. But what ended up happening was the reverse: it turns out it’s the commissioner of the NFL that was put in check and his power trip put on notice.

The NFLPA is the true winner today, Vilma is just the face of that victory. Whenever Goodell hands out a lengthy suspension, the NFLPA can say not so fast buddy and immediately cite how awesomely (and legally) wrong he was in the past.

The next question is: will this signify a turn in the culture of the NFL? If you mean will it return the Wild Wild West to the Outlaws, no. But of you mean will these stupid suspensions and fines for harsh, albeit clean hits in game go away — for the most part yes.

Landmark is a term that should be used in reference to the overturning of the penalties handed down by Goodell. To put this in the simplest terms, let’s relate this all to Star Wars — and to simplify the stupidity of all this lets relate it to the prequels.

The whole first three movies, you think that the Republic is fighting evil — and it actually is. It’s protecting democracy and keeping evil out of power. But corruption comes with power and although Anakin Sjywalker had good intentions, he still slaughtered the Jedi. Although Roger Goodell had good intentions in cleaning up the league and cutting down on needless injuries, he went to far.

By trying to make an example out of the Saints, Goodell crossed the line and today it was made clear that it’s not just the players who were suspended that feel that way.

Now we must sit, wait and see the kind of effect this has on the next suspension that’s handed out by Goodell, and the lasting effect this decision has on the NFL. The next ruling is in the hands of the fans: has the NFL lost the ability to govern itself?