NFL Commissioner Rodger Goodell, fined Bengal’s Wide Receiver Chad Ochocinco $20,000 today for attempting to “bribe” a referee in last week’s Ravens/Bengals game. I have supported Goodell since his first day on the job. His first act as Commissioner was shortening the time teams have to decide on draft day. We all know how unbearable that was. Goodell has ruled with an iron fist, and I love that. The league needs this. Athletes and their attitudes have gotten out of control. BUT, fining 85 $20,000 for this is ridiculous. Chad has been a model citizen of the NFL lately. Yes, he’s had his past issues, but he’s been nothing but fun and great to watch this year. He’s having a career year and showing how fun the game can be. His post game interviews have been great, his celebrations have been creative and not at all offensive, he’s turned around his game and his outlook on football. And with that he’s turned around the Bengals.
So Rodger Goodell, you need to chill out. Don’t look too much into this. No one took his $1 bribe of an official seriously. It did not make the NFL look bad at all, if anything it would have shown how fun loving the league can be. It was just a joke and everyone knew it. There are plenty of players around the league who deserve fines more than Chad… Deangelo Hall for trying to fight a head coach, Matt Millen and the NFL Network for their terrible broadcasts, Jay Cutler for throwing 5 picks against the 49ers, etc… Chill out Rodger.
How legit is Ochocinco? He not only is going to pay the fine without any problems, he is also going to match the 20k by donating the same amount to two charities: hillview.org and feedthechildren.org.
I hate how cool he is because I am a Brown’s fan and I really don’t want to like him.
shoulda fined him $1. that would have been cool as crap on goodell’s part.
Please…no praises for Ocho-stinko. Next you will tell me that Dionne Sanders deserves to be in hall of fame.
The Commish is doing a good job cleaning up the thug factor in the NFL. The harsh and sometimes unreasonal reactions are a deterent for many others. The unfortunate thing is that in 2 years ESPN will hire this guy and I’ll have to wear out my mute button.