This blog takes a perspective on sports with a focus on how it affects kids. If we think for one second that kids are not watching and listening to what happens in the sports world we are kidding ourselves. With sports news and information just a click of a mouse or remote away, kids are just as (if not more) informed than adults. With Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donte Stallworth meeting with the NFL yesterday to discuss the status of his indefinite suspension, according to an ESPN.com & Cleveland Plain Dealer report, does Commissioner Roger Goodell understand this? Apparently Roger has no clue, despite the fact that he’s a parent.
Between his wishy-washy decisions to maybe let Michael Vick back into the NFL, and today meeting with Donte Stallworth, who fatally struck a 59-year-old Florida construction worker with an elevated alcohol level above Florida’s legal limit in addition to marijuana in his system, has he really taken any serious stance on personal conduct at all? In other words, by not taking a clear and strong stance in regards to Michael Vick’s conduct of behavior, and now possibly Stallworth, has he weakened his overall position on this issue. When the Commissioner first took his position as the new guardian of the NFL he pledged that he would uphold the integrity of the game. Yet when it comes to making high profile decisions on punishments, he waivers and weighs the financial ramifications rather than considering the millions of kids that closely follow the league.
Does the Commissioner really want convicted criminals to rehabilate themselves on the job, on national television and the worldwide web no less? This was and is a golden opportunity to take a serious stance on personal behavior.
Roger, how do you explain to your children the reason why you allow convicted criminals second chances? Remember it could have been your loved one that was struck down on the street by a drunk driver.
Roger, if you’re going to reconsider decisions, why don’t you bring back the Junior Player Development program that you cancelled, a free instructional football program that benefited hundreds of thousands of inner city kids? Yet you opened the door for a convicted criminal, who lied to you, to come back?
We continue to watch and judge you. Your legacy could very well be determined by decisions such as these.
