Goodell was able to accomplish that mission. He took office in September of 2006 and quickly got to work revising some key policies across the NFL. Notably, he introduced a beefed-up personal conduct policy to the league in April of 2007, and that policy allowed the NFL to take more control over player discipline than ever.

The policy has been far from perfect. It contains within it plenty of vagaries and gray areas that haven’t been addressed even in the 15 years since Goodell rolled it out. This has created some muddled precedents that make it difficult to predict exactly how long suspensions will be.

IYER: Why NFL’s Deshaun Watson, Calvin Ridley suspensions can’t be compared

We saw that firsthand with the Deshaun Watson case. While the NFL pushed for a full, year-long suspension after 24 women accused him of sexual assault and misconduct, Watson’s representatives argued that Watson hadn’t done anything wrong and thus deserved no suspension.

That put arbiter Sue L. Robinson in a tough spot, but ultimately, she chose to trust the personal conduct policy that the NFL has in writing to inform her punishment. As such, Watson will be suspended for the first six games of the 2022 NFL season, barring an appeal from the NFL.

Watson’s suspension has drawn a lot of attention, as it is shorter than some other recent suspensions under the personal conduct policy, the NFL’s substances of abuse policy and the suspension the league gave to Calvin Ridley for gambling.

How does Watson’s suspension compare to other suspensions levied by Goodell and the NFL? Here’s a look back at some of the longest suspensions during Goodell’s 15-plus year tenure.

MORE: Sue L. Robinson explains why she suspended Deshaun Watson six games

NFL personal conduct policy suspensions under Roger Goodell

Below is a list of the notable suspensions that Goodell has levied for personal conduct policy violations during his time as the NFL’s commissioner. Included are all suspensions of at least four games for off-the-field transgressions as well as some other suspensions that contain within them “aggravating factors” that impacted the length of Watson’s suspension.

DeCOURCY: Why Sue L. Robinson fumbled decision in Deshaun Watson case

NFL substance abuse suspensions under Roger Goodell

Goodell has been somewhat harsh about players violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy, but he has brought the hammer down harder on those that violate the NFL’s PED and substance abuse policies.

Since becoming commissioner, Goodell has suspended 360 players for violating those league policies. Below is a list of all the four-plus game suspensions that Goodell has amassed over the years.

  • Denotes suspension was later overturned.

MORE: Timeline of the Browns’ starting QBs since 1999

Gambling suspensions under Roger Goodell

Only five players in NFL history have been suspended for gambling. Two of those suspensions came under Roger Goodell with the most notable one being Calvin Ridley.

Below are the two gambling suspensions that Goodell has overseen over the last few years. Each has lasted — or is slated to last — at least a year before the suspended player will be able to apply for reinstatement.