Dirty, declining NFL continues to implode as Roger Goodell counts his money

Umm, Roger? Are you there?

Sorry to bother you, Mr. Goodell, but I think the NFL needs you right now.

I know it will take a lot of time to finish counting your money, but this is kind of important.

Yeah, so there was nearly a Malice at the Palace-like incident in Jacksonville on Sunday, when Seattle Seahawks player Quinton Jefferson nearly went into the stands after Jaguars fans threw things at him as he attempted to leave the field.

Luckily for all, he was restrained before the situation escalated even further.

However, this – on all sides – is a pretty important issue.

First, the fans were wrong for throwing things at players. That’s never OK. Second, the idea of a player entering the stands is frightening.

I remember watching as the likes of the artist formerly known as Ron Artest and Stephen Jackson took on fans after an ugly incident during an Indiana Pacers-Detroit Pistons game years ago. It was a horrifying picture and to this day it still seems surreal.

Yet, I’ve still not heard a peep from Goodell about Sunday’s incident.

Perhaps he’s just sitting back figuring people will dismiss the scene since it ended in what was probably the best-case scenario for the league.

But that wouldn’t be wise.

Less than a week after the commissioner signed a five-year extension that reportedly is worth around $200 million total (and $40 million annually), it would be smart for Goodell to get out in front of this.

Consider his missteps over the years (think Ray Rice). He doesn’t need another PR disaster fresh off signing an extension that many questioned.

I don’t know that there’s a solution to avoiding situations like Sunday’s, which could have been way worse. Then again, I’m not making $40 million annually. Whether Goodell comes up with a solution – or if one’s needed – he needs to acknowledge that those type of actions cannot be accepted.

And fines and suspensions aren’t enough. He needs to speak out and it needs to be in the form of a public address.

Jefferson’s antics were preceded by teammate Michael Bennett rolling over a Jacksonville offensive lineman while the Jags were in victory formation putting the game to rest.

It was a cheap, sore-loser type move that led to a scuffle and ejections of fellow Seahawks Sheldon Richardson (who threw a punch) and Jefferson.

All in all, it was an ugly scene.

In fact, it was the second straight week in which dirty plays stole some of the playoff stretch’s thunder.

Steelers receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster drew headlines – and a one-game suspension – for a helmet-to-helmet hit to Bengals infamous linebacker Vontaze Burfict before standing over him in a taunting manner.

That was followed later by a helmet-to-helmet hit by Cincinnati’s George Iloka – whose appeal of a one-game suspension was successful – to Pittsburgh’s Antonio Brown.

In fact, those incidents overshadowed yet another thuggish play in which Patriots’ Rob Gronkowski garnered a one-game suspension for a cheap shot to the back of the head of the Bills’ Tre’Davious White the same week.

So that’s two straight weeks in which dirty plays – and their aftermath – were more highly publicized than some great play on the football field.

Yet, where is Mr. Goodell? Well, the last thing I can find is him out there still talking about how his league has not colluded to blackball Colin Kaepernick.

That ship has sailed for the most part. But there’s other fires that need to be put out.

At a time where NFL ratings are down – mostly thought to be because of the kneeling protests that Goodell is still talking about – it would be wise for him to be wary of other poisons lurking.

The last thing he needs is a player-vs.-fan fight or more vicious helmet-to-helmet hits to take over the spotlight.

Roger, it’s time to come out and show you’re a strong leader and redeem yourself for past mistakes.

The league needs you more now than ever.

This story was originally published December 11, 2017 at 5:38 PM with the headline "Dirty, declining NFL continues to implode as Roger Goodell counts his money."