Pummeling the Guilty

Between the lines, Roger Goodell regulated behavior. Socks an inappropriate length? The player was fined. Jersey nameplate flamboyant? The player was fined. Excessive celebration? They player was fined. Outside the lines, Goodell observed behavior. Multiple players caroused and were arrested. Promptly, they resumed participation. Criminal calendars delayed their punishment.

Goodell has closed this revolving door.

Last week, Tennessee Titans cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones was suspended for the 2007 season. Simultaneously, Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chris Henry was suspended for eight contests. Both suspensions are sans pay. Any career resumption depends on Goodell.

This discipline establishes precedent. Previously, legal adjudication preceded league sanctions. Goodell chastised Jones and Henry as the reversal’s catalyst. "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, and have risked both your own safety and the safety of others through your off-field actions. In each of these respects, you have engaged in conduct detrimental to the NFL and failed to live up to the standards expected of NFL players. Taken as a whole, this conduct warrants significant sanction,” Goodell wrote.

During his career, Jones has been arrested on five occasions and interrogated on ten. July 2005, he was arrested on assault and vandalism charges. October 2005, Jones received probation for non-reporting to probation and not disclosing his previous arrest. August and October 2006, two incidents with women spawned disorderly conduct, public intoxication, and misdemeanor assault charges. February 2007, Jones was charged with felony coercion and misdemeanor battery and threat to life.

In 2005, Henry drove sans a valid license, speeding, and with marijuana on his person. January 2006, he was charged firearm concealment and aggravated assault. June 2006, Henry was arrested for drunken driving. October 2006, Henry and teammates were arrested. Henry was benched and suspended. January 2007, Henry plead guilty to providing alcohol to minors.

Forever, I have advocated severe punishment. Suspensions with pain. No ten or fifteen thousand dollar fines. Nothing affordable. Revoke game checks and participatory rights. Goodell has done this. I applaud him.