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Roger Goodell has suffered his first misstep, and it comes with the nation's eye peering in.
The newly-donned NFL Commissioner -- known for wielding an iron fist in regard to player conduct -- has reportedly done a 180 away from his own policy and will allow Michael Vick to suit up as the dogfighting case plays out.
This after taking such a hard-line stance toward lesser-celebrated criminal athletes such as Pacman Jones and Tank Johnson, giving hope to the fan who feared their sport was being stripped of its respectability and altered irrevocably.
But when presented a real challenge -- like facing off against one of the league's biggest stars -- Goodell flinched. Should he continue to recoil and allow Vick to play, a precedent will be set and his policy will become as thin as the paper it's printed on.
His rationale, you can bet, will be that Jones, Chris Henry and Johnson were repeat offenders. Search through the Personal Conduct Policy, though, and you will see no indication that Goodell is unable to act on a first offense.
In fact, here is a portion of the policy, straight from the NFL:
It will be considered conduct detrimental for Covered Persons to engage in (or to aid, abet or conspire to engage in or to incite) violent and/or criminal activity. Examples of such Prohibited Conduct include, without limitation: any crime involving the use or threat of physical violence to a person or persons; the use of a deadly weapon in the commission of a crime; possession or distribution of a weapon in violation of state or federal law; involvement in "hate crimes" or crimes of domestic violence; theft, larceny or other property crimes; sex offenses; racketeering; money laundering; obstruction of justice; resisting arrest; fraud; and violent or threatening conduct. Additionally, Covered Persons shall not by their words or conduct suggest that criminal activity is acceptable or condoned within the NFL...
Such discipline may include a fine, suspension without pay and/or banishment from the League.
Goodell has the power to quell the growing ground swell against Vick and levy a fine, suspension or even banishment. And, thanks to his strengthened policy, he can do it before the law weighs in.
Such an ambassador of good behavior is Goodell, that he made it Priority One when he met with the incoming rookies earlier this offseason.
"We're concerned about them as men," Goodell said at the league's rookie symposium in Palm Beach, FL. "How do they become not only great NFL players, but how do they become great men? How do they conduct themselves appropriately for the remainder of their life, not just when they're in the National Football League?"
And yet the message being sent out as we speak, with this reported non-action, is that the scale is unbalanced, the system crooked. It teaches that the have-nots get discarded, the haves receive special treatment. Is that the lessons that will make these kids "great men" and rehab the image of the league?
"It is important that the NFL be represented consistently by outstanding people as well as great football players, coaches, and staff," Goodell was also quoted as saying. "We hold ourselves to higher standards of responsible conduct because of what it means to be part of the National Football League. We have long had policies and programs designed to encourage responsible behavior, and this policy is a further step in ensuring that everyone who is part of the NFL meets that standard. We will continue to review the policy and modify it as warranted."
Apparently, it can be modified based on the subject's stature as well.
I suspect that the public backlash will be so great that Vick will not see the field until he serves some kind of punishment. Ultimately, Goodell will be forced to act.
As the man who dedicated his tenure to cleaning up the league, though, it shouldn't have to come to that.
More Tim McManus
Tim is also the host of "This Week in Pro Football" with Pat Callahan, and is an update anchor and producer at Philly's Sports Radio 950.
