The NFL has been an "inconsistent mess of vaguely worded standards" when it comes to discipline for players, despite many fans "clamoring for the league to wake up in the post-Ray Rice era and be more proactive in holding players accountable," according to Tara Sullivan of the BOSTON GLOBE. This is the NFL's "newest problem." As "bad as the league once was in recognizing the seriousness of this issue, it's been proven just as ill-equipped to handle it." Chiefs WR Tyreek Hill just "escaped punishment," where Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott and Seahawks DT Jarran Reed "did not." In announcing that Hill "would not be suspended," the NFL "hid behind the curtain of privacy erected by local law enforcement." To make matters worse, the "inconsistency is not limited to issues of violence" (BOSTON GLOBE, 7/24).
CONSISTENTLY INCONSISTENT? THE ATHLETIC's Michael Lombardi wrote NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell "does not command the trust of players." It is a "wonder how Goodell can suspend" Elliott for six games when the city attorney in question "did not press charges, yet let Hill return unpunished." Lombardi: "This lack of consistency allows all the conspiracy theorists to have a field day. Did Goodell suspend Elliott as retribution toward Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, who was slowing down contract extension talks for Goodell? In the past, I thought this theory was ridiculous; now, I am not sure" (THEATHLETIC.com, 7/23). In Miami, Greg Cote wrote there is "no consistency whatsoever to how or whether the NFL metes out punishment concerning the personal conduct policy." It may be "time for the NFL to take punishment power from Goodell and hand it to an independent panel of respected football and legal experts." Goodell "hollowly talks about the 'privilege' of playing in the league, yet declines even a slap on the wrist for a player whose actions seem at odds with that privilege." Cote: "So the NFL's precious shield gets dented and dirtied once more, first by Hill ... and then by Goodell, whose inaction tells us, 'Move along. Nothing to see here'" (MIAMI HERALD, 7/23). ESPN Radio's Mike Golic said investigating and punishing domestic violence incidents is "tough to do in normal society," so for the NFL, "maybe it is best for everybody to say, 'Let's let some professionals handle this thing'" ("Golic & Wingo," ESPN Radio, 7/23). Meanwhile, SI legal analyst Michael McCann said the NFL's personal conduct policy is "better" because there is a "process where the commissioner is relying on experts to evaluate" the case. McCann: "That’s a good thing, that it’s not just Roger Goodell deciding what to do. At the same time, how much is he relying on that advice. We don't know, there isn’t that level of transparency" ("OTL," ESPN, 7/23).
LATE TO THE GAME: In Seattle, Bob Condotta noted the NFL has "sweeping power to discipline players and other associated with the league via its personal conduct policy." However, it is "not known why the league waited roughly 27 months before suspending Reed" for an incident that "occurred following Reed's rookie season" two years ago (SEATTLE TIMES, 7/23). ESPN's Jalen Rose said the NFL suspending Reed "continues to expose" the league, as it seems to "drag on and on circumstances and never truly acknowledge the issue or get to the bottom of the problem to create a solution" ("Jalen & Jacoby," ESPN2, 7/23).
