Jeffrey Walker: Former NFL Players Still Give League Black Eye

If current NFL commissioner Roger Goodell had his way with former player Jeffery Walker, I'm sure he'd probably suspend him for a good amount of time.

Of course this is just speculation based off of Goodell's history dealing with troubled players, being that he seems to come down pretty hard on even the smallest of infractions.

The NFL under Goodell has been nicknamed many things, the most common being the "no fun league."

Since taking over for Paul Tagliabue in 2006, Goodell has ruled with a short leash and a long arm of justice.

He's started by cracking down on player celebrations and sideline interactions, which caused him to be very unpopular among many players and fans.

To be fair to Goodell, though, he has faced some of the hardest off-the-field moments in sports. He had to make decisions regarding troublemakers Adam "Pacman" Jones, Donte Stallworth, Plaxico Burress and Michael Vick, who all faced legal action or jail time during his tenure.

Not only that, but he will be forever linked to the 2011 NFL lockout, which came close to robbing NFL fans of their favorite Sunday afternoon pastimes.

All this being said, I'm sure Goodell has a lot to say regarding the news that former Charger and Saint, Jeff Walker, is facing wire fraud and tax evasion charges. The Associated Press reports the story:

"

A former National Football League player and Mississippi businessman has pleaded guilty to wire fraud and tax evasion charges, admitting he used investors' money for a planned resort area in China and to buy himself a luxury van, boat and other items.

Electronic court records show 48-year-old Jeffrey L. Walker pleaded guilty Thursday in federal court in Jackson. He remains free pending his Dec. 20 sentencing.

Walker, an offensive lineman for the San Diego Chargers and New Orleans Saints in the late 1980s, admitted to two of 12 charges. The others will be dismissed.

Walker -- accused of fraudulently obtaining at least $2.2 million from investors in Mississippi, Tennessee, Florida and Arizona -- faces up to 23 years in prison, but will likely get less time under federal sentencing guidelines.

"

Unfortunately for Walker, it looks like any potential scolding that he would receive from the current commissioner would be the least of his worries.

In fact, that would actually be getting off extremely easy compared to the potential 23 years in prison.

It's a sad story, but it happens all the time. Walker is just getting the press on it because of his ties to the NFL.

Once again, yet another association that the NFL doesn't want.

Goodell has worked so hard to clean up the image of his league. He's worked so hard to make it safer, more family friendly and also more profitable for the owners.

There are plenty of bad things that you can say about Roger Goodell, but you can't deny that the man is trying to  do is job the right way.

His league has come under attack many times under his command, and it will continue to do so.

As much as he may want to fix everything and maintain a squeaky clean image, that's just not the reality of the world that we live in.

This story with Walker will come and go, but the association will always remain.

It's unfortunate on many levels, and it's yet another black eye on a league famous for giving them out.