Roger Goodell is the NFL's judge, jury, and executioner. At least, that's how it seems in regard to how he hands down punishments and has helped make the majority of the league's most important decisions. The 63-year-old assumed the position in 2006 after former commissioner Paul Tagliabue decided to retire.

RELATED: 5 Ways Madden NFL 23 Is Better Than Last Year's Game (& 5 Ways It Isn't)

Since he became the commissioner 16 years ago, Roger Goodell has become one of the most hated figures in the entire sport. That reputation has mostly come about due to his controversial decision-making and moves that he has made. Let's take a look back at the most controversial decisions, which led to him being the most hated man in football.

10 Supporting The Washington 'Redskins'

NFL: Washington Commanders Minicamp

© Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

For years, the Washington Commanders went by the Washington Redskins. While the name of the team was mostly supported for a long time, the tide began to turn in the early 2010s, and it was clear the organization couldn't keep the name forever.

While Roger Goodell likely can't force a team to change their name on his own, his clear and outward support of the name, as well as Daniel Snyder, left a lot of fans upset. His decision to support the team name was controversial and aged poorly given their recent name change.

9 Ray Rice Suspension

Ray Rice with the Baltimore Ravens

In 2014, former Super Bowl champion Ray Rice was arrested for domestic violence. He would later admit to Roger Goodell, and the NFL as a whole, that he did indeed strike his wife. In response, the commissioner gave him a mere two-game suspension.

However, the video was released of the incident after the two-game suspension was handed down. In the clearest sign ever that the NFL and Goodell only care about optics and not accountability, they then gave Rice an indefinite suspension, which was supposed to be a year. That was quickly overturned by a judge.

8 Sean Payton Suspension

Sean Payton and Drew Brees

The New Orleans Saints 'bountygate' scandal is one of the biggest black marks on the league in a long time. In 2012, the NFL found that the team's defense, anchored by head coach Sean Payton and defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, was being paid by the team to injure their opponents on offense.

In response, Payton was suspended for a full year and lost almost all his pay. The move was seen as fair by some, and too harsh by others. The biggest criticism by those who disliked the punishment was due to the fact that many other teams also had bounty programs at the time.

7 Closing NFL Europe

NFL Europe

One of Roger Goodell's first decisions as NFL commissioner was to close the NFL Europe league. The league was used as a spring league to develop players, similar to the NBA G-League. It also helped boost football interest in the U.K.

However, the league didn't make much money, and Goodell decided to cut it. This controversial decision killed a lot of fan interest in Europe, although, it seems the commissioner has realized his mistake and has tried to bring a franchise to London.

6 Spygate

Bill Belichick Tom Brady

Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

In 2007, the New England Patriots were in the midst of a perfect season when they were investigated for recording New York Jets defensive signals. Fans would later learn that this was standard practice for the team, and they did it for nearly a decade.

RELATED: 10 Current NFL Superstars Who Were Late-Round Draft Picks

In response, Goodell fined Bill Belichick, and the Patriots, and docked them a first-round draft pick. Many argued that the response wasn't strong enough, while others said that it was too harsh, given that other teams reportedly did a similar thing in years past.

5 Replacement Referees

NFL Seahawks and referees

In 2012, the NFL was in the midst of a labor dispute with the NFL referees association. After not being able to settle the dispute by the start of the season, they decided to hire replacement referees, and just try and wing it in regard to officiating.

Yeah, that decision by Goodell and the NFL did not work out. After just three weeks of horrific refereeing, with the last straw being the infamous 'Fail Mary', the league decided to settle with the association and move on from the replacement officials.

4 Punishing Celebrations

NFL: Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals

© Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

When Roger Goodell took office as commissioner of the NFL, he made a couple of big moves. One of the first was closing down NFL Europe, and the other was to try and improve the "image" of the league. The way he decided to go about this, was coming down on players for having fun.

Yes, the 'dreaded' touchdown celebration was met with a penalty and a fine from 2008 onward. That led the NFL to be dubbed the No Fun League by many fans and players. Luckily, in 2017, the rules on touchdown celebrations were lifted.

3 Ezekiel Elliott Suspension

Ezekiel Elliott

Ezekiel Elliott was suspended in 2017 for allegedly violating the NFL's personal conduct policy. The suspension was due to an allegation made from an ex-girlfriend that the star running back had abused her on several occasions.

RELATED: 10 Fantasy Football Players You Should Avoid Drafting

The suspension was deemed very unfair and unjust by many players and fans. The reason is that no charges were filed in connection with the crime. Many believed that the suspension was too far due to the lack of evidence, but Goodell still hit him with six games.

2 Deflategate

Tom Brady vs Colts
credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

In 2014, the New England Patriots once again got into trouble. This time, it was for under-inflated footballs that the team had used in their AFC Championship win over the Indianapolis Colts. At the crux of the controversy was Tom Brady, who the league alleged had instructed the balls to be under-inflated.

In response, the team was fined, lost draft picks, and Brady was suspended for four games. The response is still controversial today for a variety of reasons. While the Patriots have been in scandal after scandal for a long time, there's still debate on if they were at fault in this situation. It seems that Brady was punished mostly because he refused to work with the league on the investigation, even destroying his cell phone instead of giving it to the NFL.

Also, the Patriots defeated the Colts by 38 points. It's likely that the balls had very little impact on the result.

1 Deshaun Watson Suspension

Deshaun Watson
Jeff Lange / USA TODAY NETWORK

Roger Goodell's handling of the ongoing Deshaun Watson situation is one of the most controversial moments in league history. The star quarterback has been accused of sexual misconduct by upwards of 30 women. It's worth noting that he has settled civil cases with many of these women, but some cases are still open.

Judge Sue Robinson found that Watson broke the NFL's personal conduct clause, and recommended six games. However, with the NFL's agreement with the player's association, once a judge has found that the conduct clauses have been broken, the league and Goodell can assign whatever punishment they see fit.

Roger Goodell and the NFL stated the punishment was far too light. Despite the strong stance, the league handed the quarterback just 11 games, just in time for him to return against his former squad, the Houston Texans in prime time. Safe to say, fans weren't happy.