Roger Goodell makes about $40 million a year to run the NFL, so it's not like anyone is going to feel sorry for him.
But it can't be a comfortable feeling when the receptionist sends word that Vontaze Burfict is in the lobby.
Burfict of the Cincinnati Bengals was at NFL headquarters last week to appeal the three-game suspension he'd been handed for his violent spree in the playoff game against the Steelers last month.
Burfict was the guy who lined up Antonio Brown and drilled the Steelers' receiver in the helmet after he'd failed to catch a pass. That play also accounted for half of the 30 yards in penalties the Steelers were gifted by the Bengals, which allowed them to kick an easy game-winning field goal.
There's no word on how long the meeting took, but Burfict soon found out that his suspension had been upheld.
We're all left to wonder on what grounds he filed the appeal?
* "Pacman Jones said it was a smart play."
* "At least I didn't kick him when he was down, like they do in WWE."
* "Bugs Bunny blows up Wile E. Coyote all the time and nobody suspends him."
* "We gave them a damn playoff game. Isn't that enough?"
Burfict wasted his time and money traveling to New York. (Come to think of it, shouldn't a dangerous character like that be on someone's no-fly list?)
On further review, maybe Goodell should have amended his penalty.
For wasting everyone's time with an appeal of such blatant lawlessness, the commissioner should have added a few more games to Burfict's suspension.
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--CHANGE OF VENUE?
The high schools are in a tizzy because some of the WPIAL championship games will not be played at Heinz Field.
This season the high schools will be reorganized into six classifications, up from four. The Steelers have made Heinz Field available for the four-game marathon, which typically takes up most of a Saturday in November.
There's no way to play six games in a single day, and there's no way the field could hold up under the grind of six games over two days.
The result is two of the games will be played somewhere else, and that might not be a bad thing.
Heinz Field (and Three Rivers Stadium) before it has been a carrot for the high school teams. Advance to the championship round and you can play on an NFL field. The kids get to spit on the same turf that the pros do.
That's undoubtedly a thrill for most players, whose football careers will end with high school. But is it really that great?
Over the course of the long day, the WPIAL sells about 15,000 tickets. People drift in and out depending on their rooting interest.
So even under optimum conditions, the stadium is three-fourths empty for all of the games. What kind of atmosphere is that?
Would it be so bad if the games were played at one of the upscale high school stadiums with the stands packed?
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--A WONDERFUL LIFE
Lou Michaels died recently at 80. He played for the Steelers a long time ago, a burly defensive lineman who also doubled as the team's kicker.
There was a time when a kicker was expected to play another position to justify his roster spot.
This is interesting since the Steelers have re-signed long snapper Greg Warren to another one-year contract. In his 11 seasons, Warren has earned two Super Bowl rings and been paid nearly $8 million. Just for long snapping.
Specialization pays well these days.
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