Updated throughout the day with quick takes from staff.
While addressing the media prior to last night’s Bucs-Panthers game, here’s what Roger Goodell had to say about NFL players carrying guns:
"The real issue to me, is when the players feel they're unsafe, they shouldn't be there," Goodell said. "So get out, don't be there. If you feel the need to have a firearm to be someplace, you're in the wrong place."Well, that seems simple enough, and certainly makes perfect sense to The Commish. And the first part of that makes sense to me, too: If you don’t feel safe, then leave. I’m sure that comes naturally to every human, however, and really isn’t the issue here.
The problem is that most NFL players probably don’t feel completely safe ... ever. When one of their own -- Sean Taylor -- is shot and killed in his own home, which should be an athlete’s only real safe haven, it’s going to rattle their sense of security. Or, for a more specific example, when Plaxico Burress’ teammate Steve Smith is robbed at gunpoint by his own driver, it’s going to drive Plax’s desire to feel as protected as possible. As we’ve covered here before, carrying an illegal handgun himself wasn’t the answer, it's actually ridiculously stupid, but why he felt the need to do so is somewhat understandable. In fact, it really wouldn’t be a surprise if many players feel that they need a firearm not only in “someplace,” but everyplace. This is why, according to ex-players, the overwhelming majority of NFL players own guns.
Of course, all of this is too messy for Goodell, who prefers to sum up complicated matters in tidy, non-specific soundbytes ... and four-game suspensions.
This post originally appeared on the Sporting Blog. For more, see The Sporting Blog Archives.
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How about we lump ALL millionaire celebs (sports and non-sports) into one big category, then examine your "somewhat understandable" comment?
Doesn’t quite cut it when you do that, does it?
by J Bone A on Dec 9, 2008 11:42 AM EST reply actions
Not here to discuss rights & responsibillities of all citizens in difficult and uncertain circumstances … I’m here to point this back at Goodell.
The big problem here is that everything is simple to Goodell, and he has a Bush-like knack for fastening onto a simple, yet-un-thought-through answer that he proceeds to insist on despite all rational criticism and audience response. Plus he also seems to be on the side of the owners in all things vs. players and fans.
Hard to sell $1000-plus seats in the good ole USA? Take away games from the fans here and sell ’em to suckers over the borders !!
League already straining from expansion, the few hundred true elite players aren’t best showcased with the presence of several hundred marginal players required by past expansions, players strained by conditioning needs and injury realities/risks ?? Think about more expansions and adding games to the schedule !!
Fans don’t want to pay full price for exhibition games? Again, convert some exhibition games to real games, increasing risks for players as they have to go at full speed even earlier and longer, and diluting the intensity of each game for the fans !!
by featherfamily on Dec 9, 2008 5:30 PM EST reply actions
Fascinating. Although, it has nothing whatsoever to do with the blog.
by J Bone A on Dec 10, 2008 11:36 AM EST reply actions
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