Ex New Orleans Saints Wide receiver Joe Horn had some brass comments when asked about his opinion on NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. Calling Goodell the devil who will cut players throats if given the chance.
“I don’t like what Roger Goodell is doing. He has so much power that he can almost shut people down. I just don’t like him. And I don’t like that on draft day these kids don’t know that they’re hugging the devil…I hate to see kids that are lost and then happy but they really don’t know that the man they’re hugging will rip their throat apart. If he has an opportunity to take money from them, or there’s a situation where they’re guilty before they go to court, he’ll rip them apart. And there’s nothing no one can do about it. If the owners are happy with Roger Goodell, the fans, the media, no one can take his job from him. I hate it.”
Two interesting points about Horn comments. Calling the man a devil is pretty strong criticism. And Goodell does have final ruling on players despite innocence or guilt of courts. I look at Goodell power in cases like how OJ was found not guilty for murder but still lost the civil suit against him calling him responsible for the murders. When players get in trouble or have issues it may not be enough for the criminal court system to take action but Goodell it might be enough.
Horn saying as long as the owners are happy there is nothing players can do is wrong. The players negotiated the CBA, inside the CBA alot of this power that Goodell has is included. The players need to be stronger next time with removing some of this power from Goodell. Because its hard to complain about things when you have the chance to change the situation but decided to remain status quo.
H/t: Fox Sports