NFL Misdirection

September 26, 2014

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell did something I really respect; and then he didn’t.

On Aug. 28, the commissioner sent a letter to the NFL’s 32 owners in which he admitted that he “didn’t get it right” when he assessed a mere two-game suspension for a player who was seen on videotape to be involved in domestic abuse. I admire his admission. (The player later would be suspended indefinitely from the league following additional evidence in the incident)

Unfortunately, the commissioner accompanied his mea culpa by describing a series of initiatives the league will undertake, one of which – once again – attempts to deflect a public relations disaster upon high schools.

When the NFL was under attack for the head trauma its players were experiencing, the league responded with a state-by-state campaign to impose youth concussion laws which, in most places, were mostly unfunded mandates that are more about symbolism than substance.

Now, again under attack for malfeasance by a workforce with more money than maturity, the league’s leadership is deflecting the blame to college, high school and youth football programs by planning educational efforts aimed at those levels.

Commissioner! Clean up your mess, but leave us alone. You are gutting public support of school sports with one televised game Thursday, three on Sunday and another on Monday, and adding Saturday games in December. Don’t have this out-of-control league lecture our level about restraint and responsibility.

Ours is the level that prohibits sack dances and end zone prances. We insist that our interscholastic players demonstrate maturity that the NFL’s players do not.

Unforgettable 5ive: 2021 Football Playoff Week 4

By Jon Ross
MHSAA Director of Broadcast Properties

November 26, 2021

Here's a look at our Playoff Week 4 "Unforgettable 5ive" from MHSAA.tv and MHSAA media partner broadcasts:

► Brent LaBonte throws the 48-yard touchdown pass to Luke Gorzinski as Powers North Central wins a second-straight 8-Player Division 2 championship, beating Colon 63-0. 

► Adrian Lenawee Christian's Ashur Bryja scores on an 11-yard run to give his team the lead in its 8-Player Division 1 championship win. The Cougars defeated Suttons Bay 31-20. 

► Hudson came back from 22 down to defeat Ottawa Lake Whiteford 28-22. Bronson Marry scored the game winner.   

► Lawton's Landon Motter converted the two-point conversion with 46 seconds left to give his team a 21-20 win over Jackson Lumen Christi. 

► Teshawn Thomas scores on a 46-yard run for Warren Michigan Collegiate in its 36-29 win over Michigan Center.