Knew I read this on ESPN ... just had to look a bit.
Two articles, both highlighting Goodell's quick action against black players and his slow, lazy stroll to some action against a white, 2-time Super Bowl, MVP QB.
The first:
Quote:
Certainly there were factors with Adam "Pacman" Jones and Michael Vick -- the most high-profile measuring sticks of how the NFL can enforce its code of conduct -- that prompted the commissioner to dole out punishments before they were convicted in a court of law. For openers, Jones had a long history of previous arrests and other run-ins and Vick had already been indicted in his dogfighting case; Roethlisberger hasn't been charged yet. But the only factor that matters to those African-Americans keeping close tabs on the Roethlisberger case is this: The commissioner didn't wait to meet with Jones and Vick when they had criminal investigations hanging over their heads. Every time a prominent black athlete is involved in a legal situation, it seems as if the long, lawful arm of Goodell is ready to react.
Quote:
The commissioner announced Jones' season-long suspension in 2007 less than two months after he was allegedly involved in an altercation and shooting outside of a Las Vegas strip club -- which was two months before Jones was officially charged by Vegas police and a week after Goodell brought Jones into his office for one of his infamous sit-downs. Jones accepted a plea deal for the Vegas incident in November 2007, which resulted in a suspended one-year prison sentence, probation and community service.
Goodell is going to face even more scrutiny for his handling of the matter. He's been known to punish players in the past without the legal process running its course -- such as Adam "Pacman" Jones and Larry Johnson -- so he needs to show consistency in how he wields his personal conduct policy in this matter. It would be one thing if Roethlisberger had only one issue hovering over his head. Two claims of sexual assault should put him squarely within Goodell's crosshairs this time.
The longer this drags on without an announcement, the worse it looks for Goodell. Regardless of a charge or the absence of such, clearly Ben has issues that need to be addressed and at minimum a seat on the bench for a few games - not just preseason games, either.
Knew I read this on ESPN ... just had to look a bit.
Two articles, both highlighting Goodell's quick action against black players and his slow, lazy stroll to some action against a white, 2-time Super Bowl, MVP QB.
The longer this drags on without an announcement, the worse it looks for Goodell. Regardless of a charge or the absence of such, clearly Ben has issues that need to be addressed and at minimum a seat on the bench for a few games - not just preseason games, either.
The situations:
Pacman Jones was arrested on 2 separate occasions before he was suspended, once for assault and felony vandalism in 2005 and once for disorderly conduct and public intoxication in 2006. He was placed on probation by a judge in each case. He was involved in an altercation in a Las Vegas strip club in February of 2007. He was charged with two felonies, but pled it down to a misdemeanor. So yeah, in June of 2007, after his 2ND altercation in a strip club in less than 5 months, there needed to be swift action taken.
Michael Vick pleaded guilty to federal charges in a dog fighting investigation in August 2007 and was suspended hours later.
Both cases involved players ALREADY CHARGED AND SENTENCED.
Roethlisberger's case involves two cases in which no charges were filed. He has counter-sued the first claim, so that would indicate that there might be something fishy about that claim.
Everyone already assumes that Goodell is going to suspend him, and the Rooney's have said that they will discipline him if Goodell doesn't go far enough.
Maybe, and this is a crazy idea, punishment should be thought out more for people that have not been charged with anything than it should for people that have already been convicted, regardless of race.
ESPN is reporting that Goodell is going to suspend big Ben.
Goodell in his own words "you dont have to be convicted or even indicted to be guilty of violating the leagues conduct policies."
I'm just wondering what conduct policy they absolutely know for sure, he violated? What would it be, going to a nightclub? That seems to be the only thing, so far, that is undisputed.
I'm just wondering what conduct policy they absolutely know for sure, he violated? What would it be, going to a nightclub? That seems to be the only thing, so far, that is undisputed.
Hey Ferd, aren't you a Cowboy fan?
I am a cowboys fan!
Did you hear the police talking about the incedent in GA? Evidently they think Ben is a bad guy.
__________________ If I do something stupid blame the Lortab!
There was one policeman who resigned after the GA incident. He was there at the club, got his pic taken with Ben and admitted talking bad about the girl to Ben and others.
The problem with comparing Ben to Vick and PacMan is multifaceted.
It is a matter of public record that Vick was warned by more than a few people to get out of dogfighting.
Didn't PacMan already have a record BEFORE anything ever went down?
This isn't matter of race at all.
Some people do things that are clearly immoral.
Somep people do things that are clearly illegal.
Some people do both, but our justice system is designed to prosecute people guilty of illegal actions, not immoral actions.
Personally, I think taking advantage of drunk girl is FAR MORE IMMORAL than dog fighting, but the facts show that Ben was immoral and Vick was illegal and immoral.
Of course both of them think (thought) they are untouchable anyway....
__________________
"The choices we make reveal the true nature of our character."
my thoughts? They havent changed in 15 years. My team has the worst General Manager in football.
your point?
Now we totally agree!! I was raised a huge Cowboys fan. Then the college roommate of Jimmy Johnson bought the team and fired my hero, Tom Landry. The next day, I became a 49er fan! Now our team has the second worst GM in football. Wait a second.....we actually don't have a GM at the moment and the draft is Thursday. Uh oh.
Now we totally agree!! I was raised a huge Cowboys fan. Then the college roommate of Jimmy Johnson bought the team and fired my hero, Tom Landry. The next day, I became a 49er fan!
Now our team has the second worst GM in football. Wait a second.....we actually don't have a GM at the moment and the draft is Thursday. Uh oh.
Linear Mode
