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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September 23, 2012; New Orleans, LA, USA; Line judge Chuck Townsend (121) referee Don King (60) and other replacement officials exit the replay booth after a challenge during second half of the Kansas City Chiefs and New Orleans Saints game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the New Orleans Saints 27-24 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
September 23, 2012; New Orleans, LA, USA; Line judge Chuck Townsend (121) referee Don King (60) and other replacement officials exit the replay booth after a challenge during second half of the Kansas City Chiefs and New Orleans Saints game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the New Orleans Saints 27-24 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports /

2012 Referee Lockout

In June 2012, the NFL and NFL Referees Association were in the middle of a labor dispute, trying to reach a new collective bargaining agreement.

Rather than extend the current contract temporarily so as to not put a blemish on the upcoming season, the NFL locked out the referees, and opened the 2012 season with replacement officials.

Bad idea, Roger. Just a bad idea.

The replacement officials were made up of college officials from lower-level leagues and high school referees, and the ensuing work by these men was absolutely laughable.

Goodell stated during the preseason that the replacement officials would “do a credible job”. He couldn’t have been more wrong. The bungling replacement officials missed crucial calls at every turn, and made NFL games practically unwatchable.

The NFLPA even stepped in, sending a letter to Goodell and the owners in regards to the lockout:

"It is lost on us as to how you allow a Commissioner to cavalierly issue suspensions and fines in the name of player health and safety yet permit the wholesale removal of the officials that you trained and entrusted to maintain that very health and safety. It has been reported that the two sides are apart by approximately $60,000 per team. We note that your Commissioner has fined an individual player as much in the name of “safety.” Your actions are looking more and more like simple greed. As players, we see this game as more than the “product” you reference at times. You cannot simply switch to a group of cheaper officials and fulfill your legal, moral, and duty obligations to us and our fans. You need to end the lockout and bring back the officials immediately."

The replacement officials were also responsible for the famed “Fail Mary” play, which incorrectly gave the Seattle Seahawks a victory over the Green Bay Packers when a last second end zone pass to Seahawks receiver Golden Tate was ruled as a touchdown, despite the overwhelming evidence of pass interference on the play. Sadly, that missed call and subsequent loss by the Packers did have an impact on the final standings.

Goodell’s handling of the NFLRA was inexcusable, and the lockout should never have occurred.

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