Is Roger Goodell really walking the talk?

Last Friday, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell suspended Tom Lewand, President of the Detroit Lions, for 30 days for violating the league’s personal conduct policy.  Lewand was arrested in Roscommon County, Michigan for suspicion of DUI on June 25 with a blood-alcohol level of .21, more than twice the legal limit in that state.  He pleaded guilty to driving while impaired last month.  As part of his discipline, Lewand was also fined $100,000 and must participate in community service.

When the incident happened, many wondered if the commissioner would discipline an executive for DUI.  In reply to media inquiries, Goodell confirmed that the personal conduct policy is not just for players, but also for all employees of the NFL, including himself.  Since then, players have been watching and listening intently to see how Goodell would handle the situation.  Well, the commissioner walked the talk and demonstrated that he is serious about all NFL employees upholding the personal conduct policy.  I’m just not sure that it was with the same pace or swagger as it would have been for players.

While Lewand was hit with a hefty fine and will not be able to affiliate with the team for 30 days, I do not think that this is as damaging as a penalty that a player would have faced.  Sure, Lewand will not be able to go to the Lions’ facilities, attend games, participate in league meetings or represent the Lions publicly unless it is a community service event focused on alcohol abuse and safe driving. However, none of this starts until August 25. 

How is this punishment?

Lewand’s suspension begins after training camp. 

After two preseason games. 

After rookie contracts are negotiated and signed. 

These are important activities for a team president to participate in.  So, he will not be in the meetings when rosters are cut down to 75 players on August 31.  He will not be included in the discussion to cut down the roster to 53 players on September 4.  However, after participating in training camp and witnessing new players in a couple of preseason games, I’m confident that he will be able to share his opinion before his month long departure.

Yes, Lewand will miss the Lions’ first two regular season games at Chicago (September 12) and at home against Philadelphia (September 19) before returning to his responsibilities on September 24.  However, this is not detrimental to Lewand or the team.  A player missing those two games would be. 

Goodell made an attempt to walk the talk, but I will not give him kudos until he removes executives from the decisions or activities that they play a key role in as part of their discipline.  Lewand’s suspension is like suspending a player in April and saying that he cannot attend voluntary OTAs.  (Who cares?) 

Lewand not being permitted to finish the negotiations for, Ndamukong Suh, the Lions’s first round draft pick, would be more comparable to players missing some games.  Imagine the Lions without their Juris Doctor and math-wiz in the boardroom negotiating the deal for the 2^nd overall pick of the 2010 NFL Draft.  The guy who has negotiated player contracts totaling more than $1 billion.  This would be damaging and show that Goodell is really walking the talk.

Ciao!

Heels &  Helmets

NFL conduct policy for everyone, not just players

Roger Goodell, NFL Commissioner, addressed all of the newly drafted players yesterday at the first day of the annual rookie symposium.  Among other things, he highlighted the leagues personal conduct policy.  In general, the policy prohibits NFL players, NFL employees, NFL Club employees and prospective players and employees from “engaging in violent and/or criminal activity” because it is detrimental to the integrity of and public confidence in the NFL.  The goal is to ensure that everyone affiliated with the NFL represents it positively or deal with the consequences.  Goodell calls this program to maintain a positive image, “protecting the shield” referring to the league’s logo.  He is serious about this and has not been reluctant to discipline the NFL’s biggest stars.  Just ask Steeler’s quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger.

Over the weekend, Michael Vick, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback, and Thomas (Tom) Lewand, Detroit Lions President both made their way on Goodell’s list for potential disciplinary action for breaking the personal conduct policy. 

Michael Vick, still on probation as a result of his conviction for dog fighting, is being investigated by the NFL for a shooting that happened at the location of his birthday party last Thursday in Virginia Beach.  It has been reported that Vick was no longer at the club when Quanis Phillips was shot early Friday morning.  The Virginia Beach Police said that Vick is not “a person of interest,” but one of the conditions of his probation prohibits him from associating with Phillips.  I think that the league’s investigation will look to determine if Vick played a role in the shooting, if he broke the conditions of his probation by being in an environment with Phillips and if he used good judgment having a party at a club.  Vick just returned to the league last year.  Even if he did not have anything to do with the shooting, just hosting the party could demonstrate that he has not learned his lesson and still associates with negative people and makes poor decisions off the field.    

Tom Lewand was arrested in Denton Township, Michigan last Friday for “suspicion” of DUI.  I am not sure what “suspicion” means but the police report notes that Lewand failed the sobriety test and his blood-alcohol level was .21 thirty minutes after police pulled him over.  (He refused to take the test when first stopped.)  Since the incident, the NFL has stated that the personal conduct policy does apply to all NFL personnel and they are gathering the facts on Lewand’s arrest.  Regardless of the league’s probe, the fact that Lewand’s blood-alcohol level was two times Michigan’s legal limit of .08, demonstrates that he was operating a vehicle illegally.

After his address to rookies yesterday evening, Goodell reminded reporters that the conduct policy “isn't a player policy, it's a personal conduct policy."  Goodell has received some criticism for handling poor behavior from players tougher than coaches, personnel and owners.  Many argue that owners and team personnel are not in the public like players.  Not true.  They may not have the notoriety of a star player, but they are the face of the organization.  They need to be held accountable for their actions because they set the example for their staff and the players.  If Goodell is truly going to “protect the shield” he will have to act on what he says and discipline everybody in the NFL for not complying with the policy, not just players.  

Ciao!

Heels &  Helmets