Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Roger Goodell

Public opinion and media debates around Roger Goodell—discover key moments of controversy.

Roger Goodell is the Commissioner of the National Football League (NFL), a position he has held since 2006. As commissioner, he is the chief executive officer of the NFL and has broad authority over league operations, including rule enforcement, player conduct, and negotiating collective bargaining agreements with the NFL Players Association. Goodell's tenure has been marked by significant revenue growth for the NFL but also controversies related to player safety, personal conduct issues, and the handling of domestic violence cases. He has implemented stricter penalties for on-field violations and off-field misconduct, aiming to protect players and enhance the league's image.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

April 2007: Announced New NFL Personal Conduct Policy

In April 2007, following a year of significant scandal surrounding some NFL players' actions off the field, Goodell announced a new NFL Personal Conduct Policy.

August 31, 2007: Suspended Wade Wilson and Rodney Harrison

On August 31, 2007, Goodell suspended Dallas Cowboys quarterbacks coach Wade Wilson for five games and fined him US$100,000 and suspended New England Patriots safety Rodney Harrison for four games without pay, after they admitted the use of banned substances for medical purposes and to accelerate healing, respectively.

September 13, 2007: Disciplined the New England Patriots and Bill Belichick

On September 13, 2007, Roger Goodell disciplined the New England Patriots and head coach Bill Belichick after New England attempted to videotape the defensive signals of the New York Jets from an illegal position on September 9.

2008: Patriots Forfeited Draft Pick

In 2008, as part of Goodell's discipline, the New England Patriots forfeited a first round pick in the NFL draft due to videotaping the defensive signals of the New York Jets.

October 19, 2010: Fined Players for On-Field Misconduct

On October 19, 2010, the NFL, under Goodell, handed out fines to Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison, Falcons cornerback Dunta Robinson, and New England Patriots safety Brandon Meriweather after they were involved in controversial hits the previous Sunday. The controversial NFL's reaction to the hits led to criticism of Goodell.

March 2012: Revealed Evidence of Saints Bounty Program and Handed Down Penalties

In March 2012, Goodell revealed evidence that players and coaches on the New Orleans Saints had instituted a bounty program. He also handed down some of the harshest penalties in NFL history to involved parties.

June 2012: NFL Locked Out Regular Game Officials

In June 2012, the NFL, under Goodell, locked out the regular NFL game officials due to a labor dispute and opened the 2012 season with replacement referees.

September 24, 2012: "Fail Mary" Game

On September 24, 2012, the "Fail Mary" game between the Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks occurred, highlighting the controversial officiating by replacement referees employed by the NFL during the 2012 NFL referee lockout.

August 30, 2013: NFL Reached Settlement with Former Players Over Head Injuries

On August 30, 2013, under Goodell's leadership, the NFL reached a $765 million settlement with former NFL players over head injuries.

2013: Gregg Williams Reinstated

At the start of the 2013 season, Gregg Williams was reinstated after being suspended indefinitely in March 2012.

January 2014: Settlement rejected by U.S. District Judge Anita B. Brody

In January 2014, U.S. District Judge Anita B. Brody refused to accept the agreed settlement because "the money wouldn't adequately compensate the nearly 20,000 men not named in the suit".

May 14, 2015: NFLPA Filed Appeal of Tom Brady's Suspension

On May 14, 2015, the NFLPA filed an appeal of Tom Brady's four-game suspension for his alleged awareness of team employees deflating footballs.

May 21, 2015: Published Article on Goodell's Actions as a "Personal Power Play"

On May 21, 2015, The Washington Post published an article that Goodell's efforts to harshly suspend Brady were "part of a personal power play", supporting public claims that he was simply trying to demonstrate authority within the league.

March 3, 2016: Appeal Hearing Held in Tom Brady Deflategate Case

On March 3, 2016, an appeal hearing was held regarding Tom Brady's suspension. The three-judge panel of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit scrutinized Players Association lawyer Jeffrey L. Kessler more intensely than NFL lawyer Paul Clement.

April 25, 2016: Brady's Four-Game Suspension Reinstated

On April 25, 2016, the Second Circuit reinstated Tom Brady's four-game suspension for the 2016 NFL season.

May 23, 2018: New Policy on National Anthem Protests Approved

On May 23, 2018, Commissioner Goodell and NFL owners approved a new policy requiring all players to stand during the national anthem or be given the option to stay in the locker room during the national anthem. Any players from an NFL team who protested the anthem while on the field would become subject to discipline from the league.