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— CH. 1 · BORN INTO POLITICS AND ATHLETICS —

Roger Goodell

~5 min read · Ch. 1 of 6
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  • Roger Stokoe Goodell entered the world on the 19th of February 1959. He was born in Jamestown, New York to United States Senator Charles Ellsworth Goodell and his first wife Jean Rice. His father served as a senator from New York while his mother hailed from Buffalo. This political family background set an early stage for public service and leadership expectations. Goodell attended Bronxville High School where he excelled across three sports. He captained the football team, basketball team, and baseball team during his senior year. The school named him athlete of the year after his final season. Injuries prevented him from playing college football despite his athletic prowess. He graduated from Washington & Jefferson College in Washington, Pennsylvania in 1981 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics.

  • Goodell began his professional life within the National Football League office in 1982. He started as an administrative intern under then-Commissioner Pete Rozelle. He secured this position through a letter-writing campaign sent to the league office and all twenty-eight teams at that time. By 1983 he joined the New York Jets as an intern before returning to the main league office in 1984. There he worked as an assistant in the public relations department. In 1987 he was appointed assistant to Lamar Hunt who served as president of the American Football Conference. Under Commissioner Paul Tagliabue he filled various football and business operations roles over the next decade. His career culminated in December 2001 when he became executive vice president and chief operating officer. As COO Goodell oversaw football operations officiating and league business functions. He headed NFL Ventures which managed media properties marketing sales stadium development and strategic planning.

  • Paul Tagliabue retired creating an open seat for the commissioner role. Goodell emerged as one of several candidates vying for the top job. The voting process involved multiple rounds among the owners. During the second and third ballots only Goodell and Gregg Levy received votes with Goodell holding seventeen votes against Levy's fourteen. Goodell increased his lead to twenty-one votes after the fourth ballot but fell one vote short of election. On the fifth round two owners swung their support to him achieving the necessary two-thirds majority. The final count showed Goodell receiving twenty-three votes while Levy received eight. The Oakland Raiders abstained from voting in every single round. On the 8th of August 2006 Goodell was officially chosen to succeed Tagliabue. He assumed office on September 1 the date Tagliabue was required to step down.

  • Goodell announced a new NFL Personal Conduct Policy in April 2007 following significant off-field scandals involving players. Tennessee Titans cornerback Adam Jones and Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chris Henry became the first two players suspended under these rules. Chicago Bears defensive lineman Tank Johnson faced suspension months later due to weapon ownership and drunk driving incidents. Dallas Cowboys quarterbacks coach Wade Wilson received a five-game suspension plus a fine of one hundred thousand dollars in late August 2007. New England Patriots safety Rodney Harrison lost four games without pay for using banned substances to accelerate healing. The league held people in authority in higher regard than those on the field according to internal communications. Ray Rice running back for the Baltimore Ravens faced a two-game suspension after being accused of assaulting his then fiancée Janay Palmer. Over one hundred thousand signatures appeared on petitions calling for action regarding domestic violence problems within the league.

  • The 2011 NFL lockout ran from March 11 to August 5 before a collective bargaining agreement was reached. Goodell worked with owners and the NFLPA to settle the dispute while holding conference calls with season ticket holders. By June 2012 labor talks failed again leading to a lockout of regular game officials. The league opened the 2012 season using replacement referees drawn from low-level college and high school ranks. None were Division I college referees at that time since the league wanted to protect them from union backlash. The inexperience of these replacements generated heavy criticism from writers and players alike. A botched Hail Mary attempt during a Week 2 game between the Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks became known as Fail Mary. It occurred on the 24th of September 2012 at CenturyLink Field in Seattle Washington. Replacement referees ruled an interception by M.D. Jennings as a touchdown completion ending the game controversially. The NFLPA issued a letter after Week 2 urging owners to end the dispute immediately.

  • Goodell disciplined the New England Patriots and head coach Bill Belichick following Spygate allegations on the 13th of September 2007. Belichick received the maximum fine of five hundred thousand dollars while the team lost a first round draft pick for 2008. League officials smashed video tapes relating to defensive signal taping under Goodell's order to ensure evidence destruction. In March 2012 he revealed evidence of a bounty program run by Gregg Williams involving up to twenty-seven Saints defensive players. Head coach Sean Payton received a season-long suspension while general manager Mickey Loomis lost eight games. On the 30th of August 2013 the league reached a seven hundred sixty-five million dollar settlement with former players over head injuries. This created a six hundred seventy-five million dollar compensation fund for conditions like Lou Gehrig's disease. U.S. District Judge Anita B. Brody refused to accept the initial agreement in January 2014 claiming inadequate compensation for nearly twenty thousand men not named in the suit. Tom Brady faced a four-game suspension in 2015 for alleged awareness of ball tampering during Super Bowl XLIX. A federal judge vacated this suspension on September 3 citing lack of fair due process before it was reinstated by an appeals court in April 2016.

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1959 births

Common questions

When was Roger Goodell born and where did he grow up?

Roger Stokoe Goodell entered the world on the 19th of February 1959. He was born in Jamestown, New York to United States Senator Charles Ellsworth Goodell and his first wife Jean Rice.

How did Roger Goodell become the commissioner of the NFL?

The voting process involved multiple rounds among the owners with Goodell receiving twenty-three votes while Gregg Levy received eight on the fifth round. On the 8th of August 2006 Goodell was officially chosen to succeed Tagliabue and assumed office on September 1.

What major policy changes did Roger Goodell implement regarding player conduct?

Goodell announced a new NFL Personal Conduct Policy in April 2007 following significant off-field scandals involving players. Tennessee Titans cornerback Adam Jones and Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chris Henry became the first two players suspended under these rules.

Why were replacement referees used during the 2012 NFL season?

Labor talks failed again by June 2012 leading to a lockout of regular game officials. The league opened the 2012 season using replacement referees drawn from low-level college and high school ranks since none were Division I college referees at that time.

What penalties did Roger Goodell impose for Spygate and bounty programs?

League officials disciplined the New England Patriots and head coach Bill Belichick following Spygate allegations on the 13th of September 2007. In March 2012 he revealed evidence of a bounty program run by Gregg Williams involving up to twenty-seven Saints defensive players resulting in suspensions for Sean Payton and Mickey Loomis.

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All sources

78 references cited across the entry

  1. 1webRoger Goodell sent the NFL more than 50 letters pleading for an internship in the early 1980s until he finally got his chanceStuart Dyos — January 25, 2025
  2. 2bookNFL Football: A History of America's New National PastimeRichard C. Crepeau — University of Illinois Press — 2014
  3. 3newsDream job comes with challengesJoanne Korth — August 13, 2006
  4. 4newsNew Commissioner Joined NFL in 1982August 9, 2006
  5. 5newsGoodell, Smith Sign CBA at Hall of FameNate Davis — August 5, 2011
  6. 6webNFL Commissioner Goodell to Address Leadership in W&L Presentation2009-04-14
  7. 7webRoger Goodell BiographyTV Guide
  8. 8webGoodell, RogerWashington & Jefferson College
  9. 9webTagliabue to retire in July2006-03-20
  10. 10newsGoodell doesn't mention RoethlisbergerESPN — June 28, 2010
  11. 11episodeLeague of Denial: The NFL's Concussion CrisisOctober 8, 2013
  12. 12webApril 28, 2014 -- CSA's remarks at Twilight TattooRaymond Odierno — April 29, 2014
  13. 13webLeague upholds Suh's SuspensionDecember 2, 2011
  14. 14webRay Rice terminated by team, suspended by NFL after new violent videoJill Martin — September 8, 2014
  15. 15newsRoger Goodell Defends Length of Ray Rice's SuspensionKen Belson — August 1, 2014
  16. 16webSpygate to Deflategate: Inside what split the NFL and Patriots apartDon Jr. Van Natta et al. — September 8, 2015
  17. 17newsSenator Wants N.F.L. Spying Case ExplainedGreg Bishop — February 1, 2008
  18. 18inlinehttps://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/16/sports/football/16spy.html
  19. 19newsSean Payton suspended, Saints fined for bounty programRobert Klemko — March 21, 2012
  20. 20videoGoodell Talks PunishmentsESPN — March 21, 2013
  21. 21newsNFL officials: Quality of games could suffer with replacement officialsSam Farmer — July 18, 2012
  22. 22webNFL to use replacement refsDarren Rovell — August 29, 2012
  23. 23webMinnesota Vikings, NFL turning to replacement officials, for better or worseBrian Murphy — Pioneer Press — August 4, 2012
  24. 24newsA League At The CrossroadsPeter King — July 30, 2012
  25. 25newsWith Referees Out, N.F.L. Stars Throw Flag on Novice Fill-InsSame Borden — August 27, 2012
  26. 26webNFLPA accuses owners of "greed" for locking out referees2012-09-23
  27. 27news'Fail Mary' official fighting depressionESPN Internet Ventures, LLC — January 13, 2015
  28. 28newsNFL referees agree deal with league to end lockoutSeptember 27, 2012
  29. 29newsNFL and players reach $765 million settlement over head injuriesTracy Connor — August 30, 2013
  30. 30webJudge scuttles NFL's $760M concussion settlement2014-01-14
  31. 31webJudge Approves NFL Concussion SettlementJason M. Breslow — July 7, 2014
  32. 32webNFLPA appeals Patriots QB Tom Brady's four-game suspensionMay 14, 2015
  33. 33newsRoger Goodell will hear Tom Brady's appeal; no neutral arbitratorJohn Breech — May 14, 2015
  34. 34webTom Brady's 'Deflategate' appeal hearing ends after 10 hoursDon Melvin — CNN.com — June 23, 2015
  35. 35newsHighlights from Roger Goodell's ruling on Tom Brady appealJeff Howe — July 28, 2015
  36. 36newsNFL hopes to have expected Tom Brady lawsuit in New York and not MinnesotaKevin Armstrong — July 28, 2015
  37. 37webTom Brady responds to Roger Goodell's rulingConor Orr — National Football League — July 29, 2015
  38. 38webTom Brady and Patriots owner attack NFL over 'Deflategate' decisionSteve Almasy — CNN — July 29, 2015
  39. 39newsRoger Goodell's manipulation of Tom Brady's testimony leaves NFL on slippery slopeDan Wetzel — August 5, 2015
  40. 40webTed Wells, "independent" investigator in name onlyMike Florio — ProFootballTalk — August 6, 2015
  41. 41webJudge nullifies Tom Brady's four-game suspensionConor Orr — National Football League — September 3, 2015
  42. 42newsThe arrogance of Roger GoodellDan Wetzel — September 3, 2015
  43. 43webHurley: After losing Deflategate, Roger Goodell should be embarrassedMichael Hurley — CBS Boston — September 3, 2015
  44. 44webNFL officially appeals Tom Brady decisionKevin Patra — National Football League — September 3, 2015
  45. 45magazineDeflategate is back in court: Preview of NFL's appeal hearingMichael McCann — March 1, 2016
  46. 46newsBrady's lawyer feels pressure from judgesBen Volin — March 3, 2016
  47. 47newsBrady must serve 'Deflategate' suspension, appeals court rulesBen Volin — April 25, 2016
  48. 48newsWhy the NFL Won its 'Deflategate' AppealJacob Gershman — April 25, 2016
  49. 49webIn trying to restore his authority through DeflateGate, Roger Goodell undermined his credibilitySally Jenkins — May 21, 2015
  50. 50newsNFL expected to enact national anthem policy for '18Austin Knoblauch — NFL Enterprises, LLC — May 23, 2018
  51. 51newsRoger Goodell's statement on national anthem policyNFL Enterprises, LLC — May 23, 2018
  52. 52webAmerica Protests Police Brutality and Systemic Racism The Daily Social Distancing Show
  53. 53webRoger Goodell on state of the NFL: Officiating, 18-game schedule, Tom Brady and moreMike Jones — The New York Times Company — February 3, 2025
  54. 54webRoger Goodell revels in annual boos at 2026 NFL Draft2026-04-24
  55. 55webWhy does Roger Goodell get booed at NFL Draft? Explaining draft-day tradition between fans, NFL CommissionerNick Brinkerhoff·2 min read — 2026-04-22
  56. 56webChautauqua Conversations: Foundation board vice chair Karen Goodell talks new approaches to fundraisingJohn Ford — 2017-08-01
  57. 57webInside the Chautauqua Institution’s summer assemblyMark Goshgarian Chautauqua County
  58. 58web'NFL 100' commercial: Breaking down everything you saw in epic adVinnie Iyer — February 16, 2019
  59. 59newsNFL Picks Goodell, Once an Intern, as CommissionerErik Matuszewski et al. — Bloomberg — August 8, 2006
  60. 60newsCommissioner Vote Was CloseMark Maske — August 2008
  61. 61newsRoger Goodell chosen to succeed Paul Tagliabue as NFL commissionerDave Goldberg — CBC — August 8, 2006
  62. 62webAction for Healthy Kids Board of Directors
  63. 63newsRoger Goodell named NFL CommissionerAugust 9, 2006
  64. 64magazineGoodell named new commissionerPeter King — August 8, 2006
  65. 65newsGoodell, from PR intern to commissionerAugust 9, 2006
  66. 66newsNFL Goodell suspends Pacman for year; Henry for 8 gamesESPN — April 10, 2007
  67. 67newsHarrison, Wilson hit with drug suspensionsLarry Weisman — September 4, 2007
  68. 68newsNFL announces Tank Johnson suspensionLarry Mayer — June 4, 2007
  69. 69newsVick Couldn't Scramble Out of This MessLarry O'Dell — August 25, 2007
  70. 70newsNFL suspends Pacman Jones indefinitelyOctober 14, 2008
  71. 71newsNFL fines Belichick, strips Patriots of draft pickNFL — September 13, 2007
  72. 72newsBelichick draws $500,000 fine, but avoids suspensionESPN — September 14, 2007
  73. 73webTitans Players React to NFL Memo on Increased Discipline for Illegal HitsCraig Peters — October 21, 2010
  74. 74newsPolamalu thinks Goodell has too much authorityMark Kaboly — November 4, 2010
  75. 75newsRoger Goodell signs 10-year CBAAugust 6, 2011
  76. 76newsNFL's Goodell to Hold Call With Giants Season-Ticket Holders Amid LockoutAaron Kuriloff — Bloomberg — April 14, 2011
  77. 77newsGoodell now comes to the forefrontAdam Schefter — NFL — August 8, 2006
  78. 78newsTV's New Religious SagaAlan Sepinwall — 2005