When we look back on the tenure of NFL commissioner Roger Goodell decades from now—which has reportedly been extended another five years—one of the defining aspects will be Goodell prioritizing player conduct far more than other commissioners, in the NFL and other sports. I watched the priority on player conduct change drastically from as Goodell took over from former NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue, a lawyer. There was a new sheriff in town, and he remains committed to this issue.
Debating whether the NFL should be in the business of investigating and disciplining off-field conduct is nice for an academic setting.