The Writing On The Ball

NFL game balls�underwent a subtle change this season: The signature of new commissioner Roger Goodell replaced that of his predecessor, Paul Tagliabue. What does Goodell's John Hancock say about the kind of commissioner he might be? According to Bart Baggett of handwritinguniversity.com, Goodell should delight fans and reporters: He's straightforward and gabby. "The clear inner space in his O's means he's very honest," says Baggett, "and the open space at the top of the O shows that he's talkative." (That's in contrast to Tagliabue, whose signature, Baggett says, shows he is "slow to trust people.") The rightward slant of Goodell's signature indicates he is sociable, Baggett adds. But if you mock him, you'll have to deal with the consequences. "That the second L in his last name is taller than the first means he doesn't like being ridiculed," says Baggett. "He appears to be an ethical man who is friendly and loves the challenge of responsibility."