Derrick Mason has embarked on a Crush Roger Goodell Tour. He has been on television more than Trump, and that's saying something.
The only thing missing from Mason's diatribes are a soapbox and a "praise the Lord." Mason is preaching. This is what he sometimes does. He called Goodell a joke. Unfair. He called Goodell distracted on drug testing. Unfair. Goodell can do several things at once. Trust me. I've witnessed. He's a smart fella.
Derrick Mason says he's had no disagreement on his criticisms. (Getty Images) No, surely, Mason has stated a number of things about Goodell that are untrue. But Mason's overall message is something that needs to be discussed. It's important. Damn important.
First, read this: "I don't think anybody disagreed with me," Mason said. "Anybody that understands what's been going on in the game of football, on the inside, not just on the outside but anyone that's been in it, they understand that. Honestly -- I'm not saying this to disrespect him in any way -- what has he done for the game of football to move it forward? Everything that has been done has been done by Pete Rozelle, [Paul] Tagliabue, people that came before him. But the thing is, he hasn't done anything significant to change the game of football."
People want to portray Mason as a loudmouth chump. A crazy man on a rant, a sufferer of too many concussions. And certainly some of what Mason is saying isn't fair or true.
But that quote ... I can tell you I've heard variations of it repeated in NFL locker rooms for several years now. Not once or twice. Not a few times. Not a handful. A lot. My guess is Mason is speaking for more than a few NFL players.
The overwhelming sentiment of some players has been who in the hell does Roger Goodell think he is?
Mason's quotation is noteworthy because in one sense it explains why the lockout became so bitter. Not since Bobby and Whitney has a relationship devolved in a public light with such rapidity. The feeling of distrust between players and Goodell had been building and the lockout was like a key unlatching all of the malice and ill will, all of it spilling out into public view. Not all players feel this way about Goodell. Not everyone. But plenty.
My view of Goodell is that he's smart, works hard and cares about the image of the league. He's a good person who has opened up the NFL to fans as much as any other commissioner in sports.
Yet Goodell has been gifted Supreme King of All Bad Asses status by the media when in actuality his accomplishments haven't matched what has become a legendary plateau.
Goodell's greatest accomplishment has been working the press. Building relationships with some writers and TV types that Goodell knows won't push him hard on issues. Goodell is a regular on one of the ESPN morning shows because Goodell knows the only tough question he'll get asked is what does he like in his coffee, low fat or whole milk?
Goodell has built quite a media empire by acting like the press' best friend and then using the press to bash in the head of the players. I've heard that one from more than a few players.
Many will cite Goodell's corralling of bad-boy players like Ben Roethlisberger and Mike Vick. Sure, some of that's good. Yet for all of Goodell's bluster on this issue, has he really cured the problem? Or come close? Since the lockout, 10 players have been arrested for various charges.
Goodell has expressed concern about concussions yet wants an 18-game season. He has reined in more brutal hits with heavier fines and the league is breaking profit and popularity numbers, but here we are embroiled in an ugly labor dispute.
All of those things fall under the umbrella of Mason's point, and it's totally fair. And, again, Mason is far from alone in his thinking.
Some of Mason's attacks on Goodell have crossed a line. That is true. His larger question is fair.
What exactly has Goodell done?
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