Goodell did not attend Ezekiel Elliott hearing

[bodi]

Posted by Mike Florio on August 14, 2017, 2:55 PM EDT

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2017/08/14/goodell-did-not-attend-ezekiel-elliott-hearing/

Conflicting reports have emerged in recent weeks regarding the direct participation of Commissioner Roger Goodell in the events preceding the suspension of Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott.

The NFL, after previously not commenting on the matter, has acknowledged that Goodell was not present for the June 26, 2017 hearing that preceded the issuance of discipline. ********.com reported in late July that Goodell didn’t attend any of the hearings involving Elliott.

the August 11 letter informing Elliott of his suspension explains. “The advisors had an opportunity to engage directly in discussions with you, and to hear your counsel’s assessment of the legal, evidentiary and credibility issues presented in this case.”

Per a source with knowledge of the investigation, Goodell also did not meet with Tiffany Thompson, whose credibility also is at issue.

Here’s the truth: It can’t. While the four independent advisors may individually and collectively be capable of assessing witness credibility, they weren’t the ones making the decision. The person who made the decision needed to be in the room, studying every word, facial expression, and gesture. Without that, the grade on the Commissioner’s decision as to Elliott is incomplete, at best.

 

[Doomsday]

Smells of a predetermined outcome, he is more interested in perception and special interest groups than one man's reputation.

 

[Reverend Conehead]

Wow, if he didn't even attend the hearing, he has no business suspending him.

Come back, Rozelle.

 

[Richmond Cowboy]

Probably was intentional to leave room for a reduction in the suspension after personally interviewing each party.

 

[dagreat1_87]

that helps the appeal process

 

[Kaiser]

Goodell wasn't at the meeting, he was busy valet parking John Mara's car and lining up a fall guy for when this goes south.

 

[Swanny]

I get why he didn't attend. He wants the public to think he is not involved in this one. He wants to put it all on the 4 people on the panel. But man Goodell really knows how to keep making things worse. I keep going back to Ray Rice. How does he suspend Ray Rice for abuse and then only suspend Zeke 6 games for abuse, or Josh Brown 1 game for abuse. This is just getting old.

 

[Dhragon]

Now Roger can say since he didn't attend those meetings he shouldn't be disqualified from hearing the appeal himself. How convenient.

 

[waldoputty]

Posted by Mike Florio on August 14, 2017, 2:55 PM EDT

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2017/08/14/goodell-did-not-attend-ezekiel-elliott-hearing/

Conflicting reports have emerged in recent weeks regarding the direct participation of Commissioner Roger Goodell in the events preceding the suspension of Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott. Although, as Friday’s letter to Elliott makes abundantly clear, Goodell made the decision to suspend Elliott six games, Goodell did not personally attend the most important meeting regarding the investigation.

The NFL, after previously not commenting on the matter, has acknowledged that Goodell was not present for the June 26, 2017 hearing that preceded the issuance of discipline. ********.com reported in late July that Goodell didn’t attend any of the hearings involving Elliott.

the August 11 letter informing Elliott of his suspension explains. “The advisors had an opportunity to engage directly in discussions with you, and to hear your counsel’s assessment of the legal, evidentiary and credibility issues presented in this case.”

With credibility being such a critical aspect of this matter, it’s difficult to make a conclusion about Elliott’s credibility without personally attending the June 26 hearing. While the independent advisors serve as a bit of a buffer, their assessment of Elliott’s overall credibility is no substitute for the credibility assessment made by the person making the decision.

Per a source with knowledge of the investigation, Goodell also did not meet with Tiffany Thompson, whose credibility also is at issue.

On a matter of such importance and sensitivity to the league, to the Cowboys, and to Elliott, with one of the NFL’s brightest young stars being branded a domestic abuser under a very low 51-49 standard of proof, how can a reliable decision be made if the person making the decision did not directly assess the credibility of the witnesses?

Here’s the truth: It can’t. While the four independent advisors may individually and collectively be capable of assessing witness credibility, they weren’t the ones making the decision. The person who made the decision needed to be in the room, studying every word, facial expression, and gesture. Without that, the grade on the Commissioner’s decision as to Elliott is incomplete, at best.

yes, attempt to isolate himself from blame.
not going to work.
destroy goodell!

 

[big dog cowboy]

I hope all this brings Goodell down.

 

[ActualCowboysFan]

I get why he didn't attend. He wants the public to think he is not involved in this one. He wants to put it all on the 4 people on the panel. But man Goodell really knows how to keep making things worse. I keep going back to Ray Rice. How does he suspend Ray Rice for abuse and then only suspend Zeke 6 games for abuse, or Josh Brown 1 game for abuse. This is just getting old.

And the four people explicitly said they didn't suspend Zeke. Big case of plausible deniability. This is yet another plank in this cluster**** that drives me crazy with all of the people defending the decision. It was done by the NFL. They have never gotten one of these right. They are simply incapable of handling these issues correctly. Whatever the choice they're going to screw it up. Whatever one thinks of Zeke agreeing with this suspension involves someone believing an incompetent bunch has finally learned their lesson. There's even less evidence of that than there is against Zeke.

 

[ConstantReboot]

Wow this is big news. Not good for the commissioner and could potentially be a ticking time bomb.

How can someone as the commissioner issue punishment without looking at the facts? So he decided from the start that Zeke was guilty?

I'm beginning to suspect Goddell will lose his job over this and that Zeke will eventually win out and get this overturned.

 

[ThreeandOut]

And the four people explicitly said they didn't suspend Zeke. Big case of plausible deniability. This is yet another plank in this cluster**** that drives me crazy with all of the people defending the decision. It was done by the NFL. They have never gotten one of these right. They are simply incapable of handling these issues correctly. Whatever the choice they're going to screw it up. Whatever one thinks of Zeke agreeing with this suspension involves someone believing an incompetent bunch has finally learned their lesson. There's even less evidence of that than there is against Zeke.

A league that can't even figure out what a catch is has no business trying to figure out a domestic violence case.

 

[Alexander]

So this is like Judge Judy not listening to testimony and getting a recap from Byrd the bailiff. Got it.

 

[Jake]

I hope all this brings Goodell down.

Wow this is big news. Not good for the commissioner and could potentially be a ticking time bomb.

Wishful thinking.

 

[Jake]

So this is like Judge Judy not listening to testimony and getting a recap from Byrd the bailiff. Got it.

Except in this case the appeal goes through Judge Judy, too.

 

[ConstantReboot]

Wishful thinking.

LOL Bad PR for the commissioner is bad PR for the NFL. Surely you think this is good news for Goddell?

 

[Alexander]

It was done by the NFL. They have never gotten one of these right. They are simply incapable of handling these issues correctly.

They have botched nearly every investigation they have conducted. They need to stay out of that business and let the severity of punishment depend on what society doles out. This idea that they evaluate based on a preponderance of the evidence versus reasonable doubt is idiotic when the evidence collection is poor and or tainted.

 

[Jake]

Now Roger can say since he didn't attend those meetings he shouldn't be disqualified from hearing the appeal himself. How convenient.

He doesn't have to justify the appeal going through himself. That's the defined process.

But hopefully he'll actually attend it.

 

[Jake]

LOL Bad PR for the commissioner is bad PR for the NFL. Surely you think this is good news for Goddell?

I don't think it's any news for Goodell. The process is set up for him to hear any appeal, so whether he's in the room for the initial meeting is virtually irrelevant.

If you think this is going to bring him down, yeah, I say you're engaging in wishful thinking. The overwhelming majority of the people not on this forum aren't upset about this ruling. Most don't care one way or another.