Roger Goodell is now facing the most momentous decision of his career. Will he invoke Article 46, Section 2 (b), or will he not?
That’s the portion of the collective bargaining agreement with the NFL Players Association that gives Goodell the unassailable right to lateral Tom Brady’s appeal to someone else or keep the ball — deflated or not — in his court.
“Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Comissioner may serve as hearing officer in any appeal under Section 1(a) of this Article at his discretion,’’ the article reads. What Goodell does might well determine his long-term future in the NFL.