Jones Suspended For Season; Henry, 8 Games

The post that was quoted here has been removed

WHAT? This seems a bit harsh to me although someone had to be made the example, I suppose. Man, there's been a history of felons and criminals in the NFL. As far as I know, Pacman has never even been charged with a felony but he got a season-long suspension. That's madness.

Originally posted by darvlay
WHAT? This seems a bit harsh to me although someone had to be made the example, I suppose. Man, there's been a history of felons and criminals in the NFL. As far as I know, Pacman has never even been charged with a felony but he got a season-long suspension. That's madness.

About time someone got some intestinal fortitude (new commissioner) and sent the message this will no longer be tolerated. My understanding is there are several players in the league who keep their nose clean, are very professional, and feel THEY are getting a bad rap from these players who can't stay out of trouble.

I say good, good, and good.

As for Pacman, my understanding is he might end up doing time because he was caught saying something to the affect of "take care of him" referring to the bouncer who got shot.

P-

The post that was quoted here has been removed

Any player convicted of a felony should be suspended from the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MSL, etc. for life. The other day, USA Today had an article in its sports section about how the NFL was going to start cracking down on players who had brushes with the law. There were 50 mugshots of current NFL players who had scrapes last year. All but two were black. Maybe it's a cultural problem?

Originally posted by der schwarze Ritter
Any player convicted of a felony should be suspended from the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MSL, etc. for life. The other day, USA Today had an article in its sports section about how the NFL was going to start cracking down on players who had brushes with the law. There were 50 mugshots of current NFL players who had scrapes last year. All but two were black. Maybe it's a cultural problem?

Why? Who the hell cares if a sports figure has a felony conviction or not? If he's not in prison, he should be able to make his living like everybody else - I thought you were in favor of the capitalist system? Or should young blacks just be owned by white folks like the good ole days?

The post that was quoted here has been removed

From the article:

Jones' off-field conduct has included 10 incidents where he was interviewed by police. The most recent took place during the NBA All- Star weekend in Las Vegas. Police there recommended felony and misdemeanor charges against Jones after a fight and shooting at a strip club paralyzed one man.

So he's been "interviewed" by the police a bunch of times and for one incident they've "recommended" charges but apparently none have been filed yet. This is enough to deprive a man of his livelihood??? Whatever happened to that "innocent until proven guilty" stuff?

Originally posted by no1marauder
Why? Who the hell cares if a sports figure has a felony conviction or not? If he's not in prison, he should be able to make his living like everybody else - I thought you were in favor of the capitalist system? Or should young blacks just be owned by white folks like the good ole days?

Are you saying that there is something genetic that predisposes black athletes to commit felonies? Sounds like you're a racist.

Also, I'm not sure you understand what a felony is. Take a look at this list of professional athletes who have served jail time for felonies:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_professional_athletes_who_have_been_convicted_of_crimes

In many cases these are dangerous people with large amounts of disposable income and lots of free time on their hands...just like mobsters, drug dealers and terrorists. As a franchise owner, would you want to have to pay one of these lunkheads millions of dollars and hope that they can stay out of trouble with the law? The current system of fining a player doesn't get their attention. Pacman Jones was fined $50,000 and he still continues to behave in a misanthropic, homicidal manner. He evidently spends more than that on a night on the town with his "homies": http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7006555184

You start suspending these SOBs for life and that will get their attention and quit causing so many headaches for law enforcement and strippers.

Originally posted by der schwarze Ritter
Are you saying that there is something genetic that predisposes black athletes to commit felonies? Sounds like you're a racist.

Also, I'm not sure you understand what a felony is. Take a look at this list of professional athletes who have served jail time for felonies:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_professional_athletes_who_have_bee l get their attention and quit causing so many headaches for law enforcement and strippers.

No, YOU were claiming that "black culture" caused felonies! Who's the racist??? Something like 70% of NFL players are black and given the racist way laws are enforced in the US it's no surprise to me that the majority of NFL players who get accused of criminal misconduct are black.

I do know what a felony is. And I don't care if a guy has a prior felony conviction. That is not a disqualification for a job (in fact, in New York and most states it is generally against the law to discriminate against ex-felons in employment - except in certain sensitive areas). And that is all playing football is - a freaking job.

EDIT: I'd amend my statement and delete "most states" as I'm not sure if it's a majority or not. The statement is true in New York and at least some other states (though a felony conviction bars employment in many licensed professions - which playing football is not).

Originally posted by no1marauder
From the article:

Jones' off-field conduct has included 10 incidents where he was [b]interviewed by police. The most recent took place during the NBA All- Star weekend in Las Vegas. Police there recommended felony and misdemeanor charges against Jones after a fight and shooting at a strip club paralyzed one man.

So he's been "inte ...[text shortened]... an of his livelihood??? Whatever happened to that "innocent until proven guilty" stuff?[/b]

Why do I get the feeling the NFL based their decision on more than just these 3 sentences? They might even have more details about the incidents in these three sentences.

Originally posted by techsouth
Why do I get the feeling the NFL based their decision on more than just these 3 sentences? They might even have more details about the incidents in these three sentences.

And they might not have. Guilty if the NFL says so apparently.

Originally posted by no1marauder
And they might not have. Guilty if the NFL says so apparently.

Well let's hope they don't jump to conclusions as baselessly as you are.

Originally posted by der schwarze Ritter
Are you saying that there is something genetic that predisposes black athletes to commit felonies? Sounds like you're a racist.

Also, I'm not sure you understand what a felony is. Take a look at this list of professional athletes who have served jail time for felonies:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_professional_athletes_who_have_bee l get their attention and quit causing so many headaches for law enforcement and strippers.

Your wiki list contains exactly two present NFL players: Terry Johnson and Jamal Lewis, who served 60 days and 4 months, respectively. Not exactly the gang banger crime wave you describe.

EDIT: And neither was convicted of a felony. Jones got his prison sentence for violating misdemeanor probation and Lewis pled to a lesser charge with a sentence that included two months in a halfway house and 500 hours community service - not exactly provisions normally given to terrible menaces to society.

Originally posted by techsouth
Well let's hope they don't jump to conclusions as baselessly as you are.

How TF do you know? Read some tea leaves?

I haven't jumped to any conclusions.

Originally posted by no1marauder
How TF do you know? Read some tea leaves?

I haven't jumped to any conclusions.

Didn't you say "So he's been "interviewed" by the police a bunch of times and for one incident they've "recommended" charges but apparently none have been filed yet. This is enough to deprive a man of his livelihood???"

How do you conclude that this is all the NFL knows and all they are basing their decision on?

And since the NFL has no power to put a man behind bars, I don't think "innocent until proven guilty" applies the way you seem to think. He hasn't been proven guilty in a court of law, but we don't know all the information the NFL has, and personally, I'd hope they have some discretion in what is revealed.