Heel Turn: Joe Thomas supports Tom Brady, compares Roger Goodell to WWE’s Vince McMahon

Cleveland Browns All-Pro left tackle Joe Thomas is not the most outspoken player in the NFL. Roger Goodell’s treatment of Tom Brady in the so-called Deflategate controversy, however, inspired No. 73 to offer his two cents, which included comparing the NFL commish to WWE boss Vince McMahon.

From ESPN’s Pat McManamon:

“It’s turning into the WWE really. It’s like the Vince McMahon stuff. Basically Goodell is like Vince McMahon.”

McMahon, the real-life owner of professional wrestling outfit WWE, has appeared on screen numerous times over the years as a storyline villain, often abusing his power in the name of antagonizing his foes.

If you’ve been stuck in a cave without wi-fi, Brady and the New England Patriots have been accused of using underinflated footballs in their 45-7 win over the Indianapolis Colts in last season’s AFC Championship game. The NFL commissioned an investigation of wrongdoing, which was conducted by attorney Ted Wells.

The Wells Report has been widely criticized, in part because the findings were less than definitive. Part of the report read, “Based on the evidence, it also is our view that it is more probable than not that Tom Brady … was at least generally aware of the inappropriate activities … involving the release of air from Patriots game balls” — yet Goodell has hit Brady with a four-game suspension, which the 10-time Pro Bowler is contesting.¹

Thomas does not think the pending punishment fits the crime.

“I would equate what [Brady] did to driving 66 [mph] in a 65 speed zone, and getting the death penalty,” Thomas said.

While Thomas said the ongoing saga is seen as embarrassing for the NFL by some, he also said that it has helped to keep the league relevant during the offseason.

“I’m not sure if [Goodell] realizes what he’s doing is brilliant, but what he’s doing is brilliant because he’s made the NFL relevant 365 [days] by having these outrageous, ridiculous witch hunts,” Thomas said. “It’s made the game more popular than ever and it’s become so much more of an entertainment business and it’s making so much money.

“That’s why I’m sure there’s plenty of people saying this is embarrassing for the league. But it’s an entertainment business when it comes right down to it. When the game gets eyeballs in newspapers and on TV, that’s what in the end is the goal for everyone. And that’s what this controversy is giving them.

“I’m glad that [Brady] is fighting [it], because it’s good for the game. It’s an entertainment business.”

Thomas noted that quarterbacks have long been allowed to rub down and break in footballs, and doesn’t understand the sudden outcry about the pigskins’ condition during games.

“If you want [quarterbacks] to play with a brand new football that comes out of the box, then make that the rule,” Thomas said. “If you’re going to allow them to break it in because you want more passing yards, then let them do whatever they want.

“Who cares if they throw a football that has no air pressure? What does it matter? Why don’t we let the quarterbacks do whatever they want to the football? I don’t understand why there’s any rules.

“We know [quarterbacks] already doctor [footballs] 99 percent, why do we care about the one percent in the air pressure? Why does that matter? Nobody’s even explained why that even matters.

“I think he’s trying to do everything he can to gain a competitive advantage to help him do his job better, which is to throw the football. Why should we be punishing a guy that wants to do his job better?”

Thomas said that Goodell is granted plenty of disciplinary power by the collective bargaining agreement. He said that players may have overlooked that in negotiating the CBA, in part because the previous commissioner, Paul Tagliabue, did not exert that power so much.

“But it was probably an oversight by the players because they didn’t expect [Goodell] to act so unreasonably because his predecessor did not act unreasonably,” Thomas said. “But I think we’re talking about a different NFL now. Like I said, before it was more about the game. Now it’s such an entertainment business. It’s almost like the Kim Kardashian factor that any news is good news when you’re in the NFL.”

“If the even thinks somebody is sort of guilty of some level of crime, [the NFL will] just try to destroy him,” Thomas said.

Fingers crossed that Thomas doesn’t get a suspension of his own for speaking out against Goodell.

1. Italics mine, for emphasis. [↩]