Almost ten years ago, I made a list of 11 New Year’s resolutions for the NFL.
Most of these proposals were relatively simple to adopt and should’ve been implemented immediately.
Not surprisingly, they were not. But two were, which is two more than I thought would happen.
- Digitize NFL tickets. The fact that NFL ticket holders must have a physical ticket on game day to gain access to the stadium is ridiculous.
DONE! - Play at least one NFL game on Christmas Day, regardless of the day of the week.
DONE! - Play at least one NFL game on New Year’s Day, regardless of the day of the week.
FAIL. This day is still reserved for college bowl games. - Broadcast two 1:00 games and two 4:00 games every Sunday without exception. Why this isn’t happening already is beyond me.
FAIL. It’s still beyond me why we don’t get a doubleheader at 1:00 and 4:00 PM EST. - Increase the height of the goal post by at least 20 feet. Someday soon, an important playoff game will be decided by a questionable field goal kicked higher than the current goal posts and misjudged by the referees. Field goal kicks above the posts are also not reviewable.
FAIL. Coaches have advocated for this, but so far, nothing has happened. - Expand NFL rosters by at least 10 players. Injuries play too important a role in the fates of NFL teams. Mitigate this impact as much as possible with expanded rosters.
FAIL. Owners are unwilling to fund the salaries needed to expand the rosters. - Build a tunnel under Route 1 or a footbridge over Route 1 adjacent to Gillette Stadium at least three times so pedestrians from the parking lots can cross the road without stopping traffic. (Apologies. I know this is very New England Patriots specific.
FAIL. - Allow NFL fans to vote out one NFL commentator per year if he or she receives at least 25% of the vote.
I NO LONGER SUPPORT THIS IDEA. TOO MANY NFL FANS ARE OVERLY CRITICAL JACKASSES. - Cease all mention of the preempting of 60 Minutes during the 4:00 CBS telecast. NO ONE IS EVER WONDERING WHY 60 MINUTES HASN’T STARTED.
FAIL. BUT DAMN! - Cease all commercial breaks immediately following a kickoff.
FAIL. - Cease all indoor football games. Football is meant to be played outdoors. If they can play football outdoors in Green Bay, Wisconsin, they can play it anywhere.
FAIL. But I’m willing to reconsider this one. If Gillette Stadium, where I am a season ticket holder, added a roof, I don’t think I’d complain. - Modify the pass interference penalty. Pass interference penalties shall no longer be spot fouls. The subjective nature of this penalty too often flips the field and completely changes the game based on a referee’s opinion. Pass interference should be penalized as half the distance of the intended pass, with a minimum of 10 yards and an automatic first down.
FAIL. - Offer Super Bowl tickets to the fans of the Super Bowl teams first.
FAIL.
