Post by TheShadow on Apr 11, 2007 7:47:59 GMT -5
www.chillicothegazette.com
By JARRETT BELL
Gannett News Service
Tuesday was statement day in the NFL.
Commissioner Roger Goodell, embarrassed by a rash of player arrests, announced a tougher new personal conduct policy - and, under conditions of the previous policy, handed down two of the harshest suspensions in NFL history for off-the-field misdeeds.
Tennessee Titans cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones, facing felony charges in two states, was suspended for the 2007 season and given specific conditions to meet before he is reinstated.
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chris Henry, arrested four times in three states since being drafted in 2005, was suspended for the first eight games of the 2007 season. He also must comply with several conditions before returning.
The suspensions and revised policy - which mandates that repeat offenders charged with a crime can be disciplined by the league before their cases are heard in court - reflect the get-tough stance promised by Goodell.
Since the start of 2006, there have been more than 50 arrests involving NFL players.
"I hope this sends a message to people in our league for how to conduct themselves," New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft said. "We have to be very careful. People in America can't relate to over-indulged athletes who are not acting responsibly."
In issuing the suspensions, which he based on his power to rule under "conduct detrimental to the game," Goodell sent scathing letters to Jones and Henry.
Goodell wrote: "Your conduct has brought embarrassment and ridicule upon yourself, your club and the NFL and has damaged the reputation of players throughout the league. You have put in jeopardy an otherwise promising NFL career."
Jones, paid more than $9 million in bonuses since he was drafted sixth overall in 2005, has been arrested five times and questioned by police in five other cases since turning pro. He was charged in Georgia with obstructing police, stemming from an incident last offseason - which he did not report to the NFL, also a violation of policy - and gained notoriety for a February incident at a Las Vegas strip club.
According to authorities, Jones incited a melee when he showered dancers with more than $80,000 and tried to retrieve the money. A security guard was shot and left paralyzed. That case is pending.
Jones' attorney, Manny Arora, previously stated he would explore all options if the league suspended his client before court cases were resolved. Arora had no comment when reached Tuesday night.
Both players have the right to appeal the suspensions. Goodell, who held hearings with the two players last week, would hear the appeals.
Even if Jones, 23, completes conditions of his suspension, the Titans are non-committal about having him back. He was due a $1.29 million salary for 2007.
"We will need assurances on a number of issues before we are comfortable having him return to the team," Titans owner Bud Adams said in a statement. "Until we see a change in behavior through his actions and until he shows the ability to avoid controversy off the field, we will move forward with the possibility that he may not return to this team."
Henry, 23, hasn't been arrested in nearly a year, but in January he was sentenced to 90 days in jail (all but two days were suspended) for supplying alcohol to minors. He also pleaded guilty to reckless operation of a car, misdemeanor marijuana possession and a felony gun charge. The suspension will cost him half his $435,000 salary.
Said Bengals coach Marvin Lewis, "Our team will move forward, and now it is up to Chris to acquire a more mature understanding of his responsibilities."
The new policy - which has the support of NFL Players Association director Gene Upshaw and also applies to coaches and front office personnel - prompted questions and strong reactions among players.
Said Carolina Panthers receiver Keyshawn Johnson: "It doesn't really affect me, because I'm not going to be in that type of situation. I don't indulge in situations that put me in trouble."
Said Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Warren Sapp: "Some of these new jack kids act like they're walking on water. Sometimes, they need to be slapped in the face to wake up."
Johnson and Sapp, though, expressed bewilderment that Jones was disciplined before his legal cases were resolved.
"What the hell rule did he break?" Sapp asked. Told that Goodell invoked "conduct detrimental to the game" powers, Sapp said, "Oh, that "we can do whatever we want' rule. I've been there before. Believe me, you don't want to be there. Some people said that Pacman might want to appeal. To who? God?
"But let's be real: This is about patching things up with our sponsors."
Kraft acknowledges such concerns.
"You want the fans and the sponsors to feel that they can emotionally bond with you and they're not going to be embarrassed," Kraft said. "There are a lot of choices out there for people to be entertained or have business relationships with. The brand is very important."
Said Dallas Cowboys consultant Calvin Hill: "The players have to be aware that this is a business. Part of the product is image. Players have to be conscious that when they sign on the bottom line, they're buying into that."
By JARRETT BELL
Gannett News Service
Tuesday was statement day in the NFL.
Commissioner Roger Goodell, embarrassed by a rash of player arrests, announced a tougher new personal conduct policy - and, under conditions of the previous policy, handed down two of the harshest suspensions in NFL history for off-the-field misdeeds.
Tennessee Titans cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones, facing felony charges in two states, was suspended for the 2007 season and given specific conditions to meet before he is reinstated.
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chris Henry, arrested four times in three states since being drafted in 2005, was suspended for the first eight games of the 2007 season. He also must comply with several conditions before returning.
The suspensions and revised policy - which mandates that repeat offenders charged with a crime can be disciplined by the league before their cases are heard in court - reflect the get-tough stance promised by Goodell.
Since the start of 2006, there have been more than 50 arrests involving NFL players.
"I hope this sends a message to people in our league for how to conduct themselves," New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft said. "We have to be very careful. People in America can't relate to over-indulged athletes who are not acting responsibly."
In issuing the suspensions, which he based on his power to rule under "conduct detrimental to the game," Goodell sent scathing letters to Jones and Henry.
Goodell wrote: "Your conduct has brought embarrassment and ridicule upon yourself, your club and the NFL and has damaged the reputation of players throughout the league. You have put in jeopardy an otherwise promising NFL career."
Jones, paid more than $9 million in bonuses since he was drafted sixth overall in 2005, has been arrested five times and questioned by police in five other cases since turning pro. He was charged in Georgia with obstructing police, stemming from an incident last offseason - which he did not report to the NFL, also a violation of policy - and gained notoriety for a February incident at a Las Vegas strip club.
According to authorities, Jones incited a melee when he showered dancers with more than $80,000 and tried to retrieve the money. A security guard was shot and left paralyzed. That case is pending.
Jones' attorney, Manny Arora, previously stated he would explore all options if the league suspended his client before court cases were resolved. Arora had no comment when reached Tuesday night.
Both players have the right to appeal the suspensions. Goodell, who held hearings with the two players last week, would hear the appeals.
Even if Jones, 23, completes conditions of his suspension, the Titans are non-committal about having him back. He was due a $1.29 million salary for 2007.
"We will need assurances on a number of issues before we are comfortable having him return to the team," Titans owner Bud Adams said in a statement. "Until we see a change in behavior through his actions and until he shows the ability to avoid controversy off the field, we will move forward with the possibility that he may not return to this team."
Henry, 23, hasn't been arrested in nearly a year, but in January he was sentenced to 90 days in jail (all but two days were suspended) for supplying alcohol to minors. He also pleaded guilty to reckless operation of a car, misdemeanor marijuana possession and a felony gun charge. The suspension will cost him half his $435,000 salary.
Said Bengals coach Marvin Lewis, "Our team will move forward, and now it is up to Chris to acquire a more mature understanding of his responsibilities."
The new policy - which has the support of NFL Players Association director Gene Upshaw and also applies to coaches and front office personnel - prompted questions and strong reactions among players.
Said Carolina Panthers receiver Keyshawn Johnson: "It doesn't really affect me, because I'm not going to be in that type of situation. I don't indulge in situations that put me in trouble."
Said Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Warren Sapp: "Some of these new jack kids act like they're walking on water. Sometimes, they need to be slapped in the face to wake up."
Johnson and Sapp, though, expressed bewilderment that Jones was disciplined before his legal cases were resolved.
"What the hell rule did he break?" Sapp asked. Told that Goodell invoked "conduct detrimental to the game" powers, Sapp said, "Oh, that "we can do whatever we want' rule. I've been there before. Believe me, you don't want to be there. Some people said that Pacman might want to appeal. To who? God?
"But let's be real: This is about patching things up with our sponsors."
Kraft acknowledges such concerns.
"You want the fans and the sponsors to feel that they can emotionally bond with you and they're not going to be embarrassed," Kraft said. "There are a lot of choices out there for people to be entertained or have business relationships with. The brand is very important."
Said Dallas Cowboys consultant Calvin Hill: "The players have to be aware that this is a business. Part of the product is image. Players have to be conscious that when they sign on the bottom line, they're buying into that."