The NFL has become the laughing stock of professional sports over the past few years with the league cracking down on unapproved sportswear, touchdown celebrations, and arbitrary rules that get redefined on a weekly basis. Television ratings have plummeted since the start of the 2016 season due to the league's unchecked balance of power given to the commissioner, Roger Goodell. Fans saw the storm approaching fast with the witch hunt on New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady after his Super Bowl win in 2015. The incident known as Deflategate held little evidence on Tom Brady except that he was unwilling to cooperate with the league when asked to. Although there was no evidence to prove he was guilty of knowingly playing with deflating footballs, he was slapped with a four-game suspension which is a consequence reserved for first-time substance abuse poli.
Goodell attempts to run the league "by the rules" by fining players that are not wearing team or league approved apparel, but only makes a fool of himself and his organization. Last year, two players on the Pittsburgh Steelers wore cleats to raise awareness for domestic violence and breast cancer and were fined due to violation of the NFL's uniform code. This week, Odell Beckham Jr was fined for the same violation when he wore cleats that were a tribute to Craig Sager for cancer awareness. Earlier this year, Cam Newton, along with numerous other players, were fined for the bow and arrow celebration after scoring a touchdown or gaining a first down. The NFL denied Avery Williams the right to wear cleats in remembrance of the victims of 9/11 but did not discipline Colin Kaepernick for wearing controversial socks to a team practice a few weeks earlier.
Roger Goodell has proven to have no real understanding of his fans beginning with the strict rules on the players' touchdown celebrations. He reasons that players should act respectfully after scoring since they are role models for the younger audience that watch the games, but by doing so has created a bland atmosphere that leaves little entertainment for the main audience the league should be appealing to. Goodell is so focused on removing what he deems as negative personal expression from the game that he has pushed longtime fans away from the sport they once loved. Fans weren't the only ones frustrated with the new rules. Teams and players suffered early in the season due to the new, stricter rules. Only a few weeks into the 2016 season, the league had already thrown nearly half the number of flags as they did the prior year for taunting and prolonged and excessive celebrations. The problem faced today is that Goodell arbitrarily decides which players should and should not be fined for their actions. Last week, Ezekiel Elliot scored a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and decided to celebrate by jumping into the Salvation Army kettle located behind the end zone. This definitely falls under the large umbrella Goodell has laid out for what should be fined, but decided not to. He has time and time again made inconsistent decisions such as this and has made many players and fans angry because of his unwillingness to enforce the rules for everyone. Roger Goodell needs to sit down with the National Football Player's Association and draw out a list of celebrations banned from the league so the rule doesn't fall on the referees to make each week or better yet, get rid of the rule altogether.
