Former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick was released from prison in May, and his case has sparked discussion over whether young lawyers would tolerate the disciplinary system in the National Football League. Over the past three years, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has suspended several players indefinitely for “conduct detrimental to the NFL,” even though the offenses were totally unrelated to football. The NFL’s Personal Conduct Policy prescribes that “[a]ll persons associated with the NFL are required to avoid ‘conduct detrimental to the integrity of and public confidence in the National Football League.’” If a player violates that policy, pursuant to his powers under the NFL constitution and bylaws and the NFL collective bargaining agreement, “the Commissioner [has] full authority to impose discipline as warranted.”
According to the collective bargaining agreement between the NFL and the NFL Players Association, any appeal of the decisions must be directed to the commissioner, and either the commissioner himself or his designee will preside over any appeal. Thus, ultimately, it is the commissioner who decides on the discipline.
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