Kudos To Costas

Lately, whenever you see a journalist interview someone about a volatile subject, there is always that feeling after the interview that the journalist was too soft; they didn’t ask the right questions. That was laid to rest when I saw Bob Costas’ interview with Roger Goodell about the Patriots’ illegal taping of the New York Jets defensive signals.

The question on a lot of people’s minds was why was Wade Wilson’s penalty more severe than Bill Belichick’s? Wade Wilson was fined $100,000, one-third of his salary and suspended for five games, for acquiring and taking HGH, supposedly as a treatment for his diabetes. Wade was not involved in any type of trafficking the HGH to any players. It was a personal undertaking. He is not a player; his taking HGH wouldn’t make Tony Romo be a better quarterback, so many felt his fine and consequence excessive.

Much to my surprise, Bob Costas asked that very question to Mr. Goodell during the interview. Mr. Goodell’s response was quick, decisive and concise. He said that Wade Wilson’s violation was illegal from a criminal perspective while Bill Belichick’s was only in violation of NFL rules. Add that to the fact that he holds coaches to a higher standard than players, he tacked on an extra game of suspension to Wade’s punishment.

My hat is off to both Mr. Costas and Mr. Goodell. Great questions were asked, understandable, fair answers were given and I didn’t come away feeling that some issues were skirted or double talk was thrown at me.

Only one question went unanswered: Am I the only one in America who felt that Bob Costas was interviewing the host of The Apprentice?