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Some Owners Reportedly Are Beginning To Change Their Stance On Supporting Goodell

A couple of NFL team owners who have been "strong supporters" of NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell may be beginning to change their stance following Friday's press conference, according to ESPN's Chris Mortensen. After witnessing the "events of the past week, one said he was ‘surprised,’ another said he was ‘disappointed.’” ESPN’s Adam Schefter noted it is "interesting to speak to the wide array of voices close to the commissioner and around the commissioner. There are some people that are squarely in his corner, backing him, saying that people are losing sight of the fact of the job he's done since he took over as commissioner in August 2006. They stand squarely behind him and point out, ‘Where is the anger for Ray Rice in all this? Where is the anger for the New Jersey court system?’" However, one exec "sent one text that was interesting, saying that he did not think that Roger Goodell had as much support as some people think." Schefter: "He wrote in that text, ‘Remember 15 owners voted for Greg Levy the last time that Roger Goodell was elected in 2006.' I know a lot has happened since then, but the characteristics that bothered those 15 owners then have been on abundant display the last few weeks" (“NFL Countdown,” ESPN, 9/21). But Steelers President Art Rooney II said he did not "get that sense" that Goodell has lost support among the owners. Rooney told NBC's Michele Tafoya, "People want answers, but people also understand that one mistake should not ruin a great career, and Roger has had a great career'” (“Sunday Night Football,” NBC, 9/21). NFL Network's Michael Silver noted Goodell "does in fact have the support of the owners, and especially some very influential owners." Silver: "One told me, ‘I cannot imagine a situation where Roger Goodell loses his job.’ Now, of course, if there were embarrassing revelations to come or this thing took another downward spiral, all bets would be off" ("Around the NFL," NFL Network, 9/19).

CAN GOODELL SURVIVE?
USA Today's Christine Brennan said she thought "for sure" Goodell would keep his job a week ago. However, she said, "Now, I am not so sure." Brennan: "If it is proven that Roger Goodell lied, that he didn't tell the truth, that there was a cover-up, then I think he can't survive. ... Short of that, he may well survive" ("GMA," ABC, 9/20). ESPN’s Israel Gutierrez said, “Normally, I thought admitting mistakes and just making mistakes, as long as they’re reasonable ones, you’re allowed a second chance, that’s kind of what the league is. But it seems like more and more that Roger Goodell didn't just make a mistake. He sort of listened to the people that he should not have listened to and made too large a mistake. I don't know if he will get fired, but I think there will be so much public pressure to lose his job that he might eventually” ("The Sports Reporters," ESPN2, 9/21). USA Today's Nancy Armour said of Goodell losing his job, "It would maybe make some people happy in the short term, but it's more of a cultural thing within the NFL that they have to recognize they need to do some things differently. ... I don't necessarily know that Goodell is the whole problem, but right now he is the face of the problem” (“Today,” NBC, 9/20).

CALLS CONTINUE FOR HIM TO STEP DOWN: ESPN's Tedy Bruschi said of Goodell's press conference on Friday, "We needed someone to go up there and be a leader and say something substantial ... and that wasn’t done. I don't think Roger Goodell is a guy that can do that anymore." Bruschi: "I want a new commissioner to lead my league. I want a new commissioner to go out there and say the right things and be that leader. Right now, Roger Goodell is not that, and I don't think he can ever be that. Roger Goodell needs to step down and move on and we need new leadership" (“NFL Live,” ESPN2, 9/19). CBS Sports Network's London Fletcher said, "He hasn't been out front. Then he calls a press conference on Friday. Where have you been? He continues to fail. Based on poor performance, Roger Goodell must go. He has to go" ("That Other Pregame Show," CBS Sports Network, 9/21). ESPN's Howard Bryant: "If you view the job as someone who is supposed to be protecting the interests of the league, he covered this up. And so did the Ravens. What they did was they protected their player. I don't think that is an excuse. I don't think he should survive this at all” ("The Sports Reporters," ESPN2, 9/21).

ALTERNATIVE PUNISHMENTS
: N.Y. Times columnist William Rhoden said, “The owners should suspend him for two games and give him tone deaf management. Then when there is an outcry, they should say, ‘No, no, no Roger, not two games. We’re going to suspend you for the entire year. We changed our mind.’ That’s how ludicrous this has been" ("The Sports Reporters," ESPN2, 9/21). CBS' Tony Gonzalez said, "I want some consequences to happen to the commissioner just like if he was an NFL player or an NFL coach. ... Maybe a $5 million donation to domestic abuse [causes]. But it can't happen where he gets off scot-free” ("The NFL Today," CBS, 9/21). NBC's Bob Costas said if Goodell is "looking to create goodwill," he "could say he will accept no compensation until the NFL has formulated a workable policy and series of initiatives that address the present situation” (“Football Night in America,” NBC, 9/21).

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