Playing with Fire Podcast

Goodell Does Well

As a father of ten children, I have made sure that they understand there are positive and negative consequences to any action. I also have made sure they understand that when they act inappropriately the negative consequences they experience are their own doing, not mine.

NFL Commissioner Goodell must be a good father. His decision to suspend Adam “Pacman” Jones for one season is dramatic enough to get everyone’s attention. Even if Jones does not get the message, I hope he does, any player on the “edge” will think twice before leaping off the cliff. Most players know right from wrong and choose to do the good. However, for those that need to be behaviorally conditioned to do no harm, they will be helped by the electric shock therapy of a one-year suspension. For the players who have been doing the right thing all along, this is the vast majority, and want to work in an environment of virtue, I am sure this is a welcomed ruling. Not because they wish any individual harm but because it helps reinforce what sport should be, a means for developing virtue.

Jones’ fear that someone will take his dream away is unfounded. No one has taken it, he has thrown it away, but I remain hopeful because there is forgiveness and reparation for the penitent, right?