Fansided

5 candidates to replace NFL commissioner Roger Goodell

By Cody Williams

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - FEBRUARY 05: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell speaks during a press conference prior to Super Bowl 50 at the Moscone Center West on February 5, 2016 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - FEBRUARY 05: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell speaks during a press conference prior to Super Bowl 50 at the Moscone Center West on February 5, 2016 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images) /
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HONOLULU – JANUARY 30: Ray Anderson, Vice President of the NFL, gives Reggie Torres, Head Coach of the Kahuku High School Red Raiders, a trophy for being the 2011 High School Football Coach of the year, while John Sprague, Head Coach of the Riverview High School Rams looks on before the start of the 2011 NFL Pro Bowl at Aloha Stadium on January 30, 2011 in Honolulu, Hawaii. (Photo by Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)
HONOLULU – JANUARY 30: Ray Anderson, Vice President of the NFL, gives Reggie Torres, Head Coach of the Kahuku High School Red Raiders, a trophy for being the 2011 High School Football Coach of the year, while John Sprague, Head Coach of the Riverview High School Rams looks on before the start of the 2011 NFL Pro Bowl at Aloha Stadium on January 30, 2011 in Honolulu, Hawaii. (Photo by Kent Nishimura/Getty Images) /

5. Ray Anderson

Ray Anderson hasn’t been in the NFL for three years now and many people unfamiliar with the Pac-12 might not know what he’s been up to in the meantime. Anderson has been maintaining an executive role in a new field, as he’s served as the Athletic Director for the Arizona State Sun Devils since the start of 2014. That role came after he spent years serving in the NFL’s front office as Vice President of the NFL.

Anderson worked in the NFL front office from 2006 until his departure at the end of the 2013 NFL season. And while that means he worked for some time under the Goodell regime, which will sure convince some he is unqualified to become commissioner, Anderson was credited with many rule changes throughout his tenure that have ultimately made the game safer than ever before.

Moreover, there’s something to be said for a guy who is familiar with the inner-workings of the NFL at that level. While a lot of other potential Goodell replacements are well-qualified, none of them boast Anderson’s experience as part of the league’s front office.

Next: No. 4 Robert Kraft

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