NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell was booed at the first round of the 2022 draft, but why is he treated to it at big events? Why do fans boo him?
Since 2006, the man calling all the shots in the NFL has been Commissioner Roger Goodell.
Essentially the CEO of the NFL, Goodell is responsible for being the public figurehead of the series itself.
It’s his job to hand out punishment for rule-breakers, mediate in disputes and generally run the NFL how he sees fit.
With nearly 16 years in the job, Roger Goodell is sometimes booed by fans at major events like the draft or Superbowl.
Why is this? Why is Roger Goodell booed by NFL fans?
WHY DOES ROGER GOODELL GET BOOED?
Part of the reason why NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell is booed is simply tradition.
It’s fun to boo the boss and make your displeasure with him known – indeed at the 2020 draft, Goodell even paused during the virtual event to allow for fans to dish out some treatment.
Opportunities where Goodell is on-site at events can also be limited to the Superbowl, draft and maybe at a stadium for a regular season or Playoff game.
Goodell’s fellow commissioners in the NBA and NHL aren’t also adverse to the treatment from fans.
However, Roger Goodell’s tenure as NFL Commissioner has been a rocky road -with several big controversies – leading to fans booing him as a result.
For example, just two of the events to come up since he started the role have been deflate-gate and the response to Colin Kaepernick’s taking of the knee.
Goodell handled the league’s response to Tom Brady’s deflating football’s during his time with the New England Patriots.
He upheld Brady’s four-game suspension during an appeal, which included a 10-hour hearing.
After Kaepernick started to take the knee, Goodell passed a policy requiring players to stand for the national anthem before games.
Disciplinary action would be taken against those who did not stand – as Goodell and the NFL choose not to address the problem at hand.
In the wake of the Black Lives Matter protests after George Floyd’s murder, Goodell has encouraged players to be free to speak their minds on issues.
However, his handling of the situation is another reason why Roger Goodell is booed.
HOW LONG HAS HE GOT LEFT?
In post since replacing Paul Tagliabue, Goodell is not limited by term limits as NFL Commissioner.
He can stay for however long, and as many boos as he wants.
However, when he signed his latest contract extension in 2017, he indicated it would be his last.
If this happens, Goodell will leave post in 2024.
