Goodell Defines “Remorse”

During a Tuesday press conference that we separately chronicled in more comprehensive fashion, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell explained his position that Falcons quarterback Mike Vick must show “remorse” before he’ll be reinstated to the league. Initially, Goodell said that it will be for Vick to decide what “remorse” means. But then Goodell broke it down to three questions: (1) did he learn anything?; (2) does he regret what happened?; and (3) does he plan to try make positive changes in the future? As we’ve explained yesterday in a lengthy discussion of the case against Vick’s reinstatement, we think that Goodell believes remorse leads to trust. Absent remorse, Goodell will likely be unable to assume that Vick will behave after being reinstated. If he shows true remorse, then maybe Goodell will be able to trust him. Regardless of how it turns out, Vick and his handlers now have a clearer picture of what Goodell wants to see from Vick than they had before the press conference began.