NFL Taking Public Relations Hit For Off-Field Controversies
NORTH TEXAS (CBS 11 NEWS) - With the Ray Rice video, Adrian Peterson's child abuse charges, the lawsuit against Jerry Jones, and the league's evolving drug policy -- the NFL is taking a big public relations hit.
Football fan Tamara Green says the controversy is overblown. "Everyday people go through the same problems. Just because he's an athlete, he shouldn't be going through this thing, they should try to end his career."
Other North Texans, like Rodney Hester, think the league isn't doing enough to tackle the problem. "I still think they could have jumped out in front of I think they could have said we know what's going on and this is how we're going to be consistent."
Merrie Spaeth worked in the Reagan Administration and has run Spaeth Communications, a crisis communications firm in Dallas, for nearly 30 years. "I think the flip-flops are enormously embarrassing," she said.
Spaeth believes the NFL's reputation isn't necessarily damaged in the long-term. "I think the damage depends on how they handle it not just in these coming days, but this time next year."
But Spaeth thinks the league still has to be careful. "You can say 'we don't like the act,' but you can't suspend due process. It's very important the rules be followed, and it's a really good point to pay attention to."
The NFL she says needs to listen to the four women who are now helping shape the league's policies - and make the necessary changes. "If they follow through with that, then this time next year, we'll say they did a really good job."
The question many are asking, will NFL commissioner Roger Goodell be able to stay on the job? Spaeth said she believes he will because he's honest and because he's a creature of his bosses -- the team owners.
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