Mr Goodell,
While I am an avid football fan, and a Saints season ticket holder for almost 30 years, I also realize it's just a game.
I know that you are entrusted with a many-billion-dollar industry, and you have to take it seriously, but let's be honest.
It's still just a game.
I know you even have your own tv network, but you're not stopping war in the middle east, nor solving world hunger.
Let's keep it in perspective.
The punishment you have handed out today to the fans of The New Orleans Saints is way overboard. You have potentially gutted our team, and Mr. Benson's franchise, for many years to come. Not only have you deprived the team of leadership, but of competitive hope.
That is a stiff penalty for the most loyal fan. It will quite possibly even cost us our quarterback, an individual who has inspired an entire region.
Your efforts to regulate a contact sport and turn it into a video game have progressively damaged the game. While I applaud your efforts on safety, we must remember 2 things.
One, it's a contact sport, and two, they do wear padding. Lots of it. So, while the Saints plan to injure deserves punishment, and any cover up was inexcusable, we must also recognize it was more bravado than results. It's an emotional game, and coaches and players have always done things to get fired up that would appear ridiculous in any other venue.
The punished coaches and staff bear a tremendous burden as a result of your judgement. But, what about the fans? What did we do to deserve this? As a season ticket holder, am I supposed to just sit back and accept another punch in the gut?
There was a time we lost our team for a year due to a natural disaster.
Then Sean Payton and Drew Brees and others came along and resurrected a long-suffering franchise, and brought it glory for the first time ever.
Now, with a stroke of a pen, you're going to do it again, and in a Super Bowl hosting year to boot.
I know (by watching the NFL network) that New Orleans and the region that supports this team is not a high priority, but consider this fan base.
The point has been made, and you know this severe punishment won't change anything going forward, except to emphasize your authority over all things football.
But, it ain't world hunger. Get a little perspective. Protect your players. Protect the owner's investment. But protect the fans too. Even Saints fans.
