Jim Tressel: Why Roger Goodell Must Suspend New Indianapolis Colts Consultant

The Indianapolis Colts hired former Ohio State head football coach Jim Tressel as a consultant today, according to ESPN, and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell must suspend Tressel for the same reasons he did former Buckeyes quarterback Terrelle Pryor.

Pryor was suspended a few weeks ago before he was even chosen in the NFL’s supplemental draft for his part in the NCAA violations he and other Buckeyes committed under Tressel’s tenure at Ohio State.

Goodell suspended Pryor five games for breaking NCAA rules, marking the first time a player had been suspended before being hired by an NFL team.

The commissioner must do the same with Tressel, who also was found guilty of rule violations.

Tressel was initially suspended for two games for not telling the NCAA of the rule violations some of his players were committing. He later increased his own suspension to five games to match the punishment of his players imposed by the NCAA.

There is no way that Goodell can suspend Pryor and not Tressel. They both broke the rules and each had a major part in tarnishing one of college football's most prestigious programs.

Just because Tressel has a front-office position and won't be coaching in the NFL doesn't mean he should be exempt from any punishment.

Goodell has been often criticized for his suspensions and fines handed to players for a variety of reasons, and has shown little consistency throughout his tenure of league commissioner.

If Pryor and Tressel decided to both remain at Ohio State this season, they would have served their suspensions, so if both are in the NFL now, each must get the same punishment.

If Tressel escapes suspension, the Players Association will no doubt be in an uproar and the peace between the league and the players that has been enjoyed since the end of the summer's lockout could end.

Goodell has gained a reputation for being a strict disciplinarian as commissioner, but if he chooses not to suspend Tressel he will look like a hypocrite, and look foolish in the minds of football fans everywhere.

Nicholas Goss is a Featured Columnist at Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter. Follow @NicholasGoss35