Ahead of the Curve

It's a job that should come with a warning: "Careful what you wish for, you just might get it."

The hours are long, there's nearly no off-season, travel-time is taxing, fan-mail is sparse and the endless speeches, interviews & negotiations vacillate between dreary routine and stress-city.

But there is an upside.

The pay is sweet, prestige is high, there's job security (if you keep owners happy), great seats anytime you want 'em and someone's always around to carry your bags (pre-10PM).

The post is NFL Commissioner.


Pete Rozelle was a giant (1960-89).  In facilitating the NFL / AFL merger ('67), conceiving the Super Bowl and brokering the first big network, merchandising & labor contracts, Pete will always remain the League's most significant Commissioner in its long history.

While Goodell faces many of the same challenges of his predecessors, he's also faced with a slew of issues Rozelle couldn't have even fathomed 30 years ago.



Alcohol has always been an issue in the pros, but it was in Rozelle's day that illicit drug use burst onto the scene.  Marijuana, speed & cocaine were the preferred poisons, ruining more than a few careers.  Today it's PEDs that taint the field.  It's the one test RG's failed by letting DeMaurice Smith and the NFLPA call the dance tune and avoid blood-testing.


Every issue that crosses Goodell's desk seems to get the full treatment: public & press are kept informed, player input is sought and when a League decision is reached, it's clear, appears decisive and is announced in a timely, prudent fashion.

Roger's got a skill-set, a style you'd hope to find in every corporate Suit and elected official, from school board member to President of the United States.  He's an intrepid decision-maker reminiscent of Presidents past, Teddy, FDR and Harry Truman.


It's no secret Presidents today work chiefly for America's elite, regardless of party.  Not much choice, given the Court's broad interpretation of speech (donations) and the big war-chest required for a White House win ($1B+).  Even so, the savvy leader knows when to throw voters (fans) a bone, something to chew on to make us feel we're being heard.



if Metta (Artest) had behaved as badly in the NFL as he did recently on the NBA court, League response would've been swifter & stronger (given the video) than Mr. Stern's measured, 3-day think-a-thon before issuing the modest 7-game suspension.

Roger wouldn't get my hypothetical vote for President just yet.

First rule of business: NFL's gotta' stop tinkering with the Rule book.  Though it's well-intentioned, too frequent changes (Nike college) weaken fan trust, creates confusion and threatens traditional, foundational aspects of the game that even younger fans appreciate.

Second, institute pricing relief.  The NFL & affiliates have been on the gravy-train for decades.  It's time to give something back to fandom by rolling-back stadium prices and cutting-back excessive, momentum-killing TV commercials and late-hour games.

Thirdly, do some LBJ arm-twisting, get on your bully-pulpit and persuade players to finally submit to HGH blood tests.  It's about integrity, safety and sending a message to America's youth.  Besides, player refusal is weak and without merit.


Steven Keys



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