NFL

Roger Goodell Shocks Nobody, Accepts Findings of Mueller Report

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By @bradberreman24

Roger Goodell, NFL, Robert Mueller

Alex Goodlett-Getty Images

The findings of a supposedly independent investigation of the NFL by former FBI director Robert Mueller were made public on Thursday. The primary headline is that, at least prior to the public release of the footage in September, no evidence was found suggesting anyone in the league office saw the video of what happened inside the elevator when Ray Rice struck his then-fiancee in Atlantic City.

It seems unlikely Mueller and his investigative team would have reported anything particularly scathing about commissioner Roger Goodell or anyone else’s handling of the Rice matter, due partly to Mueller having ties to a law firm that has worked with the league. But it’s also a stretch to say Mueller left anything out, or simply chose to overlook anything that would have painted anyone in the NFL office in a bad light.

Goodell released a statement on Thursday thanking Mueller for his work, and also stating that the league has already implemented some of the former FBI director’s recommendations for changes regarding investigative procedures. Not surprisingly, Goodell also said he is willing to “accept the findings” of the investigation.

My main frustration with that specific part of the statement is rooted in two things. It feels like Goodell is talking down to everyone by allowing those words to be crafted for him, and that shows how naive he has outwardly been for close to a year now. Under the circumstances he should absolutely be willing to accept the findings of Mueller’s investigation, and Goodell not only should say that (if he felt the need to), but we all expected a sentiment along those lines in reaction to the investigation being made public.

I think Goodell is still on fairly thin ice with NFL team owners, despite public support from some of the most respected members of the group, and it may only take one more big misstep for him to be forced out of his job as commissioner. The results of Mueller’s investigation will not alter that circumstance, even if some procedural changes are implemented, and Goodell certainly could botch more player conduct cases going forward.

Brad Berreman is a Columnist and Senior Writer at Rant Sports.com. Connect with him on Twitter or Google +.

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