Fansided

The 5 worst decisions Roger Goodell has made as NFL commissioner

By Michael Collins

September 4, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell walks the sidelines before the game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Green Bay Packers at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
September 4, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell walks the sidelines before the game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Green Bay Packers at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 22, 2013; Green Bay, WI, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) during warmups prior to the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Pittsburgh won 38-31. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 22, 2013; Green Bay, WI, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) during warmups prior to the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Pittsburgh won 38-31. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

Ben Roethlisberger sexual assault charges

This was probably the first time we got an inkling that Roger Goodell wasn’t so concerned about protecting women.

In March 2010, Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was under investigation for sexual assault in connection with an alleged incident inside a restroom of a Milledgeville, Ga. night club.

The investigation dragged on for a month, with a he-said/she-said barrage of statements between the accuser, her friends, and Roethlisberger’s bodyguards. Stories changed, mud was slung, and the whole incident was an embarrassment to the league.

Despite evidence supporting the accuser’s story, district attorney Fred Bright did not file criminal charges stating that “looking at all the evidence here, I cannot prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt”

On April 21, 2010, Goodell announced that Roethlisberger would be suspended without pay for the first six games of the 2010 season due to a violation of the NFL’s personal conduct policy. Roethlisberger was also ordered to undergo a league-mandated “professional behavior evaluation” and “must adhere to any counseling or treatment that is recommended by the professional evaluators.”

That suspension and punishment may have been sufficient, although many balked that it was too long given the fact that charges were never filed. Then, after appeals and strong-arming by the NFLPA, Roethlisberger’s suspension was reduced to 4 games.

Regardless of whether or not charges were filed, it was obvious that Roethlisberger had put himself in a position that left him culpable to these accusations. The anger of late Steelers owner Art Rooney was one indication that this was unacceptable. To have the suspension reduced was a quick indication that Goodell was more concerned about the players and their rights than protecting the image of the league (not to mention, alleged victims).

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