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5 Times NFL commissioner Roger Goodell flexed his power with player suspensions

Roger Goodell at the 2022 Draft
Roger Goodell at the 2022 Draft

Since being named NFL commissioner in 2006, Roger Goodell has split opinions amongst fans. Some appreciate how far the league has advanced during his tenure, while others question some of the actions he has taken. One such action is the suspensions he hands out to players across the league.

Plenty of players have avoided suspensions for things you'd expect them to be suspended for, while others have had the harshest suspensions for virtually nothing.

As the NFL commissioner, Goodell has the power to suspend anyone, regardless of the severity of their actions, a power he isn't afraid to use.

Here are five times NFL commissioner Roger Goddell flexed his power with player suspensions:

#1 - Terrelle Pryor

Indianapolis Colts v New York Jets
Indianapolis Colts v New York Jets

Coming out of Ohio State, Terrelle Pryor was suspended by Goodell before his pro career had even begun.

Pryor was involved in a "cash-for-memorabilia" scheme at OSU, violating multiple NCAA rules and leading to many Ohio State coaches losing their jobs.

Pryor entered the NFL Supplemental Draft and, after being selected by the Oakland Raiders, was met with a five-game ban by Goodell before he had even played a down in the league.

Goodell said of his decision:

"This smacks of a calculated effort to manipulate our eligibility rules in a way that undermines the integrity of, and public confidence in, those rules."

#2 - Jerrell Freeman

AFC Championship - Indianapolis Colts v New England Patriots
AFC Championship - Indianapolis Colts v New England Patriots

While not setting the world alight during his career, Chicago Bears linebacker Jerrell Freeman was hit with a mammoth suspension by Goodell. After playing 12 games for the Bears in 2016, in late 2017, Freeman was suspended for 10 games for violating the NFL's performance-enhancing drug policy for the second time in his career.

Freeman apologized and announced his retirement from the NFL in May 2018. However, just a week later, he was suspended by the league for an additional two years for failing a third drug test.

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