Guardian: The Deflategate penalty upholds the NFL's non-existent integrity

[primetime]

This is my favorite take so far.

http://www.theguardian.com/commenti...nalty-upholds-the-nfls-non-existent-integrity

The NFL deserves to be called out on one particularly ridiculous and disingenuous reason they cite for the penalty: protecting the league’s “integrity.” In NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations Troy Vincent’s letter toTom Brady explaining his penalty he wrote: “Your actions as set forth in the report clearly constitute conduct detrimental to the integrity of and public confidence in the game of professional football. The integrity of the game is of paramount importance to everyone in our league...”

That’s a hell of a phrase. Let’s look at the integrity of the game. The term’s usage here bears no relation to principle but rather to maintenance of the barrier between real life and the league’s hermetically sealed brand asylum. Vincent states another reason for Brady’s punishment: “[his] failure to cooperate fully and candidly with the investigation.” Goodell must be able to command compliance at all times — even if it means punishing Brady for failing to volunteer personal information he had no obligation to disclose in order to aid a circumstantial case against him — otherwise the bubble could burst, and law, context and perspective might come rushing in.

...

Even his boobery serves a purpose. As SB Nation’s Spencer Hall pointed out, every public relations disaster committed by Roger Goodell focuses fan ire on an optimal target. Like WWE’s Vince McMahon, he represents the ultimate theatrical heel that everyone can root against while ignoring systemic labor issues, broken bodies and dumbfounding mismanagement. Every moment spent castigating him is a moment you’re not paying attention to another billionaire sitting on his cottage-cheesed ass, collecting millions in profits, threatening labor lockouts while feasting on the athlete carcasses that generate their revenue.

 

[strngplyr]

The league has had an incredible amount of opportunities in the past calendar year to get ANYTHING right, maybe more than they ever have in a 365 day period, and they have somehow managed to screw up each situation more than the last.

I can't even comprehend how they are so bad this. They've even begun gauging public opinion BEFORE handing out discipline and still can't get a feel for it.

What a disaster.

 

[stephens44]

This is a complex issue that requires substantial research, no? Yes the NFL entrusted a man completely lacking in research skills to make a rather rapid decision:
https://www.afcf.us/?nd=troy_vincent

Troy Vincent holds only a Bachelors degree and not even is it in a field related to law or any discipline where research skills are a requirement. A 44 yr old former player with a BA in "something"... decided all of this like its a gameshow. I'm guessing he owes his job to being the consumate "yes" man for Goodell.

 

[Blackluck]

I love this line: otherwise the bubble could burst, and law, context and perspective might come rushing in.

Sorely needed, not only by the NFL but the vast majority of sports media.

 

[stephens44]

http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/...-A-Polarizing-Figure-In-Battle-For-NFLPA.aspx

Interesting background on Vincent, the guy harping on integrity over this...

 

[Marko]

Troy Vincent is making the players concussion argument without knowing it.

 

[Marko]

Just read hi BA is from Thomas Edison, they make University of Phoenix look like Harvard.

 

[Deus Irae]

The NFL is now becoming a joke in England, its European stronghold.



Well played, Roger.

 

[Mack Herron]

The NFL is now becoming a joke in England, its European stronghold.



Well played, Roger.

CTE cannot be his excuse. He must be congenitally incapable of rational thought.

 

[tom444]

"Integrity might be undermined more by a record of the NFL trying to suppress evidence that everyday conditions of playing football destroy people’s brains." http://www.theguardian.com/commenti...nalty-upholds-the-nfls-non-existent-integrity

Compare that to a minor equipment infraction. Goodell must be on drugs.

 

[TheBostonStraggler]

This is my favorite take so far.

http://www.theguardian.com/commenti...nalty-upholds-the-nfls-non-existent-integrity

As I said in multiple other posts, Goodell is absolutely predisposed to be disliked by the public and media. Fans, and the lackey media, are currently taking the path of least resistance. Diehards hate brady for winning so much, Goodell provides red meat for the haters, media throws red meat. It's easy, no thinking involved, no need to consider, it's visceral and it is guaranteed clicks.
But the foundations of dislike are far more in the direction of RG. Just need articles like this to help lead the mules to water....

 

[reflexblue]

This is my favorite take so far.

http://www.theguardian.com/commenti...nalty-upholds-the-nfls-non-existent-integrity

Wow, great piece, says it like it is.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Between this & the excellent 10 point rebuttal on Breitbart, the NFL is taking flak

 

[primetime]

Between this & the excellent 10 point rebuttal on Breitbart, the NFL is taking flak

Funny because Lund and Breitbart literally could not be further from one another on the political spectrum.

 

[Haley]

Beautiful.

I am going to hit that link a hundred times just to up the ad revenue.

 

[BritPat]

Has to be said, alongside the Times (which has the best football - ours, not yours - coverage), the Guardian's sports coverage is second to none.