Mr. We Could use a man like Pete Rozelle Again

Commissioner Roger Goodell has a growing problem with his football players kneeling for the National Anthem.

President Trump has criticized those players.

In response Goodell's office has issued a mealymouthed statement which reads in part:

The NFL and our players are at our best when we help create a sense of unity in our country and our culture. There is no better example than the amazing response from our clubs and players to the terrible natural disasters we've experienced over the last month...
Divisive comments like these demonstrate an unfortunate lack of respect for the NFL, our great game and all of our players, and a failure to understand the overwhelming force for good our clubs and players represent in our communities.

The above word salad means nothing of course.

This kneeling issue is about to become a thing, a big controversy and running sore.

The NFL can't win.

Millionaire players kneeling for the National Anthem is not a good look, Roger.

In times like this we miss former NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle (PBUH). 

Under Mr. Rozelle the NFL went from a niche sport, fourth behind baseball, college football and boxing, to a national power house.
Rozelle understood the game was made for TV. He merged with the rival AFL. He thought up Monday Night Football. He got the owners to agree to a revenue sharing scheme.

In over 30 years as NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle acted with one question in mind, 'Is it good for the game?'

Kneeling for the National Anthem is not good for the game. Rozelle would have understood that and he would have acted accordingly.