Part 4/12:

• Lack of Transparency: Goodell's defense often involves dismissing social media theories as exaggerated or unfounded, but evidence suggests that league officials are reluctant to address transparency openly.

The NFL Films Hit Piece and Institutional Shaming

A particularly egregious incident was the release and subsequent deletion of an NFL Films video targeting Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch. The video mocked him for mistakes during a game, framing him as weak and flawed — ultimately weaponizing league media against its own player. Public backlash forced NFL Films to remove the video, yet the damage had already been done, highlighting how the league uses its media platforms to control narratives and humiliate players.