New England Patriots owner Bob Kraft stood down Tuesday. Friday, DeMaurice Smith stood up to Roger Goodell, revealing growing tension between the NFL Players Association and the NFL commissioner as Tom Brady's appeal of a four-game suspension looms.
Smith, the NFLPA boss, asked Goodell to recuse himself from Brady's hearing. Not long after Smith appeared on ESPN's "Outside the Lines," lawyers for Goodell recommended he deny Smith's request.
Kraft decided not to fight the league's sanctions of two draft picks and a record $1 million fine for Deflategate. In doing so, the owner, who is referred to in some circles as the assistant commissioner, did right by the league.