During a congressional hearing over allegations of sexual harassment and a toxic culture with the Washington Commanders, Rep. Jim Jordan took things to a bizarre level when he questioned Commissioner Roger Goodell about controversial Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy.
Jordan asked if Goodell believed in the First Amendment, pointing out that the “sports journalist” Portnoy says he’s banned from attending NFL games.
Goodell said he’s “not familiar” with the ban.
“Why do you ban Dave Portnoy from NFL games? He’s a journalist. In fact, he’s a sports journalist,” Jordan asked. “Why is he banned?”
“Congressman, I’m not familiar with that issue,” Goodell replied to Jordan. “I’m happy to check with my staff, but I’m unaware of that.”
In response, Portnoy called Goodell a “liar” and “Hitler” and accused Goodell of committing perjury in a series of tweets.
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Jordan then mentioned that Portnoy is an established journalist who interviewed former President Trump, saying, “Seems to me, [if you] can get into the White House, you should be able to get into a football game.”
The lawmaker then turned his attention to grilling Goodell over the treatment of Commanders defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio, who was fined $100,000 by the team this month after he called the deadly riots at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, a “dust-up.”
“Do you agree with the Washington Redskins decision to find Jack Del Rio $100,000?” Jordan asked Goodell.
“That was a decision that was made by coach Rivera,” Goodell replied, referring to Commanders’ head coach Ron Rivera. “Again, as I stated earlier, they are responsible for monitoring and managing their own workplace. He made that decision on his own.”
