NFL contacted police to look over Roger Goodell’s house after decision
No matter how heated an NFL debate can get, it’s just football. Yes, even if it’s concerning the madness of deflate-gate.
Almost everyone understands this, but the NFL took precautions for any few crazies who might not. According to the Portland Press Herald, on Tuesday the NFL asked the police in Scarborough, Maine, to look after Goodell’s property there. Goodell announced on Tuesday that he was upholding the four-game suspension of New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady.
“They did reach out and let us know about the decision and that it might not be popular,” Scarborough Police Chief Robbie Moulton told the Press Herald.
I’ve been critical of Goodell’s handling of deflate-gate, as have others (and if you agree with Goodell’s deflate-gate decisions, you’ve probably disagreed with him about something else), but the man shouldn’t feel like his house is in any danger. Goodell’s job is a lightning rod for criticism, and he gets paid handsomely to deal with that criticism. Anything beyond criticism is out of line, even if it seems like his call to police was just a precaution. The Press Herald story said there were no threats or problems on Goodell’s property.
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While Goodell may be an unpopular commissioner, nobody should shift beyond that and attack him personally or believe he’s a bad person. Thankfully nobody has done anything crazy over this or the Saints’ bounty scandal or any other unpopular decision. And in the past the NFL has made sure, with other potentially controversial decisions, that the police keep an eye on his home.
“In the past, when there have been unpopular decisions, there have been emails and things. I wouldn’t say it rose to the level of threats, but certainly expressing unhappiness,” Moulton told the Press Herald.
The story is just a quick reminder that no matter how much we get fired up about the NFL, it’s just football. It’s not more serious than that.
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Frank Schwab is the editor of Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @YahooSchwab
