I am having difficulty understanding the "logic" of former National Football League Commissioner Paul Tagliabue, who has elected to void penalties dispensed to members of the New Orleans Saints organization that were involved in a despicable conspiracy to deliberately injure opposing players.

Although Tagliabue acknowledged the individuals engaged in "conduct (that was) detrimental to the integrity of, and public confidence in, the game of professional football", he is allowing them to get off scot free, ignoring the glaring fact that if they had done what they are accused of off the football field, they could have been indicted, criminally charged, and sent to prison.

I assert that it is Tagliabue that has acted in a manner which is "detrimental to the integrity of, and public confidence in, the game of professional football".

How can there be confidence in the game and how can it be a sport which is held up as a model for the many children that look up to their athlete idols when those that are involved in a sinister plot to intentionally cause physical harm are absolved of responsibility for their actions?

Tagliabue's actions serve to rebuff current Commissioner Roger Goodell, who, to his credit, tried to do the right thing. Even the penalties dispensed by Goodell were lenient, given the magnitude of the offenses, which should be an affront to civilized fans.  The case can be made that any individual who could conspire to inflict severe harm upon an opponent should permanently lose the privilege of playing the game.

It would appear to be open season on those that play professional football. A violent sport with far more than its share of miscreants has become worse as it welcomes known thugs to its ranks.