SI Poll: Split on Goodell's Future, More...

Sports Illustrated did a "State of the Game" poll it posted on it's website today.  Issues were not limited to the Rice, Peterson, etc. issues.

Scientific poll, over 500 people asked.

• 37.8% said he should be fired for his mishandling of the issues, with about another third saying they were unsure.  Only a tick less than 30% felt he should stay.  Of female fans, only one in five said he should stay.
• When the five major names (Rice, Hardy, Peterson, McDonald, Dwyer) were listed regarding the domestic violence and child-abuse issues, those polled were first asked whether they followed these stories closely.  Of those who did, they then were asked whether that person's story diminished their opinion of the NFL.  About half of those said yes, in all five cases (high was 55% in Rice, low was 48% for Dwyer).
• But they still love the game anyway.  Less than one in ten (9%) says their interest has decreased, and, in fact, about a third say it's increased.
• 85% of those surveyed said they'd let their sons play tackle football, despite the mounting evidence the game cannot be made safe.
• The five major sports leagues were then rated as to whether their players were good role models.  Slightly less than half (46%) said the NFL players were not.  Surprisingly to the long-standing ghetto image of the league (hence, my tag taking a jab at the NBA when required), the NBA actually fared the best of all the leagues.
• Only 38% of those asked even knew what CTE was.
• Only about one in four surveryed said head injuries was reducing their interest in football.  (However, when taken as a fraction of those who knew about CTE, the former number is about 2/3 the latter.)
• An interesting question which might give some thought to the new Player Conduct Policy:  At what point should a player be suspended in the process?  Of six choices, 36% said after conviction, but 28% said only being charged with the crime should be sufficient, and another 16% said an arrest was sufficent.  The American public is getting that football players usually don't get convicted of anything.
• Fans believe about a third of the players in the league use PEDs, and 85-90% believe players should be suspended for the use of illicit drugs and PEDs, except marijuana (which is about half and half).
• Only slightly more than a third (37%) of all NFL fans support legislation legalizing gambling on the NFL.
• The exact opposite percentage (63%) have not placed bets on football or played fantasy football for money.
• Only one in four think the Washington Redskins should change their name, only one in ten believe it's very offensive.
• Two in five believe the game will not resemble today's in 20 years.  The criteria used were situations regarding contact and player equipment.
• About half (48%) actually OPPOSE an 18-game season.

So, basically, fans are completely numb to the real issues surrounding football.  Greeeeeeeeeeat...