Tom Brady

Jerry Jones backs Roger Goodell amid Deflategate controversy

Published Jul. 29, 2015 5:58 p.m. ET

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New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft made his thoughts about NFL commissioner Roger Goodell quite clear with a flame-thrower of a statement on Wednesday. Though Kraft is furious with Goodell at the moment, the commish still has the support of at least one other prominent owner.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said he still backs Goodell, even though the commissioner has been criticized for his disciplinary policies and handling of Deflategate.

“I certainly shouldn’t and wouldn’t comment about another team’s issues,” Jones said Wednesday via the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. “First of all, let me really emphasize how much I endorse our commissioner. And how strongly I feel about the job he is doing. He has got obviously a very tough job. ... You have to deal with people you are counting on to help build and to help excel the National Football League and I’m talking about the owners. You have to know that you are going to make some decisions that are very unpopular with that particular group. This is the case.”

Jones, too, has been on the receiving end of the Goodell punishment stick. The Cowboys were penalized with a $10 million reduction against the salary cap in 2012 and 2013 for violating rules during the 2010 uncapped season. Jones says he did not agree with the decision, but he sucked it up after being reminded by other league owners that he should just take the hit for the good of the league.

“We have a commissioner that is outstanding. He has to make hard calls. And more often than not you are going to have a season or you are going to have a period of time when those go against you as an owner in the NFL,” Jones said.

Perhaps Jones feels warmly about Goodell since the penalty to the Pats means Tom Brady is scheduled to miss an October game against the Dallas Cowboys. Additionally, Jones may be feeling pretty happy about his free agent signing Greg Hardy successfully having his suspension reduced to four games. Jones might feel differently if Goodell suspended Tony Romo for four games and stuck to it. Now if Goodell would just listen to Jerry’s idea about the playoffs …

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