[AvengerRam]

I've got to ask: is Roger Goodell guilty of NEPotism (the NEP, of course, standing for New England Patriots)?

He has demonstrated the ability to take firm and severe action against players who have strayed: Tank Johnson, Pacman Jones, Michael Vick. For that, he has been, and should have been, praised.

At first, it seemed like he was taking the same approach with Belichick and the Patriots after "Spygate I." Now, however, a different conclusion can be reached. At this point, there seem to be more questions than answers. Did he know about the allegations regarding Super Bowl 36 back in September? Why has the league not contacted Matt Walsh to find out what he knows? Why has the league not contacted ex-Patriot players who might be willing to talk? Why did he destroy the evidence of the Jets Spygate incident?

Goodell has only one shot at this. If he does not act quickly and decisively, many (myself included) will perceive a double-standard:

Bad behaving players = severe action.
Golden team tarnished = sweep under the rug.

And, on top of that... there is a 700 pound gorilla in the room that nobody (at least nobody I've heard or read) is talking about... yet. How long is it before someone assigns a racial angle to this?

I am certainly not one to automatically presume that every disparity is motivated by race, but when you look at it at face value... the players who have been suspended sure look different from the leaders of the Patriots.

Does that mean that Goodell is racist?

No.

Does that mean some might accuse him, and by extension, the league of acting with a racial bias? That could very well occur. And, in situations like this, the appearance of impropriety is often indistinguishable from an actual improper motive.

This is it, Roger. This is your historically significant moment. Do the right thing by conducting a thorough and impartial investigation, and you will make your mark preserving the best sports league in the world.

If you ignore this... you may damage the league more than you know.