NFL Fines Shanahan $25K for Opening Mouth Regarding Henry Case

I’m like Santa Claus, I’m always watching.

Do not test the wrath of Roger Goodell.

Straight from the “WTF” Department, the NFL has fined Mike Shanahan $25,000 for his comments a few weeks ago supporting Travis Henry in his appeal case. [Full story – ESPN] Shanahan apparently went outside the league’s appeals process by commenting on the hair follicle and polygraph tests, which stands as a violation of the NFL’s conduct policy.

The fine furthers the case that this is the weirdest NFL appeal, ever.

Most people, including myself, were already left scratching their heads after the comments the NFL made following the news Henry had passed. The league said that his evidence of a hair follicle and polygraph test were both “irrelevant and unconvincing.”

Now this fine against the coach has me thinking the NFL execs are writhing mad that they granted Henry’s appeal. Doesn’t this sound like a pissed off sore loser to you?

Let’s take a look at Shanahan’s dreadfully harmful comments in closer detail, shall we? [After the jump]

“All the tests except the one has come back negative… Let’s give him a chance to have his day in court.”

How dare you quote tests of which the NFL did not approve or administer, Mr. Shanahan! And to think, a man would be innocent in the NFL until proven guilty!

Here’s another gripping example of Shanahan’s criticism of The Shield:

“We’ll let due process take care of itself … but if the test was positive, after what he promised me, he would not be on this football team.”

Shiver me timbers! Due process! How dare you!

No, this quote here is the most likely candidate for the fine:

Regarding the amount required to test positive – “If you went to any business in this town, they would not look at it as a valid test.”

It’s official, folks. The NFL is a Dictatorship. Question the rules of the league in any way and you shall be punished. Too bad Goodell and company are too thick to realize that Shanahan wasn’t questioning the league; he was trying to paint a better picture of his player. He was simply standing by his man.

The league is doing a horrible job with this Henry appeal. First they take 3 weeks to return a decision; then they grant his appeal; they follow that up with comments about Henry’s appeal being unconvincing, leaving everyone’s heads scratching; finally they fine Shanahan for doing nothing more than supporting the guy he believed was innocent.

Sore losers indeed. If you’re trying to get the egg off the NFL’s face after the appeal, Mr. Goodell, you’re only making yourself look like an insufferable asshat.