Yesterday NFL commisioner, Paul Tagliabue, announced his retirement in July. Now his biggest job is to name his successor. Mr. Tagliabue, just wanted you to know I’m available. I’m the perfect candidate, lifelong football fan, smart, driven, young. How could the league not want me?
Unfortunately, I’m guessing the league isn’t going to come knocking on my door. There have been some names thrown around already, the most notable of which is Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice. Dr. Rice currently is stating she’s not interested in the position. Dr. Rice,if you are reading, take my advice. Take the job. You are going to be Secretary of State for what, three more years max. Tagliabue was commisioner for 16. I know, I know, you’re thinking about running for president. Unfortunately, the Republican party probably isn’t ready to nominate you. On the other hand, think what you could accomplish as commisioner. You would be the ACTUAL most powerful person in the world, not just some poser like the president.
So, before Dr. Rice reads this I want to make a couple suggestions for the new commisioner:
- Stop only playing the Super Bowl in nice weather.
Forcing the Super Bowl to only be played in warm weather stadiums, or in domes is just not what football is all about. I want to see Dallas play Miami in New England. Just rotate around the league and whatever stadium is up is the city that hosts the game. - Get rid of the whiners
The NFL is quickly emulating the NBA. We have players like Terrell Owens that are making a mockery out of the sport. Let’s crack down on some of these spoiled kids and get some respect back in the league. - Change the draft
Obviously having good picks in the draft don’t generally make a team better. A team the is in the cellar often stays there, despite high draft picks year after year. Look at the Bengals, until recently, the Texans, the Cardinals, etc… Let’s change the draft to some type of lottery system so the best college atheletes at LEAST get a chance to play on a competitive team. - Stop focusing so much on the money
During Paul Tagliabue’s tenure as commissioner league revenues went through the roof. He has done a fantastic job at making the league more profitable. While this is a good thing for business, I’m not sure it’s a good thing for the game. Too many times the league comes across as greedy. Let’s get back to what’s really important, the competition and spirit of the game and let’s move away from the desire to make everyone a billionaire.
Hopefully Tagliabue will pick a good successor. Personally, my preference would be an outsider like Rice, someone actually involved with a team as a coach or GM like Rich McKay. Let’s hope for the best, and remember, if anyone asks who you would like to see, nominate me!!!