Jamarcus Russell, Michael Vick, Vince Young, Chris Simms.
All these players have something in common and not in a most spectacular way. All have been in the press giving the NFL a bad reputation recently. They are hardly the first and most definately won’t be the last.
Russell was arrested this past weekend for possession of the painkiller codeine without a prescription. Michael Vick… Let’s just say he hangs out with the WRONG people, which includes his brother, Marcus. Vince Young was involved in an altercation at a strip club and finally, Chris Simms was arrested for driving under the influence of drugs with his pregnant wife riding shotgun.
The NFL has an image problem. It has been said that the NFL is the biggest “Thug” league, next to the NBA that is. So what’s the problem here?
Time to Revise the “Personal Conduct Policy”
Roger Goodell knows his league has an image problem, and the one thing I like about him is that he decisive and fair when he rules on issues with his players. Two years ago he created a Personal Conduct Policy but the problem with the document is that it is only two pages and it is too vague.
The current policy via ESPN (2007):
General policy
Engaging in violent and/or criminal activity is unacceptable and constitutes conduct detrimental to the integrity of and public confidence in the National Football League. Such conduct alienates the fans on whom the success of the League depends and has negative and sometimes tragic consequences for both the victim and the perpetrator.
The League is committed to promoting and encouraging lawful conduct and to providing a safe and professional workplace for its employees.
Persons covered by policy
The following persons (“Covered Persons”) shall be considered subject to this Policy: (i) all players under contract; (ii) all full-time employees of the National Football League, its Member Clubs and related entities; (iii) all rookie players once they are selected in the NFL college draft; and (iv) all undrafted rookie players, unsigned veterans and other prospective employees once they commence negotiations with a Club concerning employment.
Prohibited conduct
It will be considered conduct detrimental for Covered Persons to engage in (or to aid, abet or conspire to engage in or to incite) violent and/or criminal activity. Examples of such Prohibited Conduct include, without limitation: any crime involving the use or threat of physical violence to a person or persons; the use of a deadly weapon in the commission of a crime; possession or distribution of a weapon in violation of state or federal law; involvement in “hate crimes” or crimes of domestic violence; theft, larceny or other property crimes; sex offenses; racketeering; money laundering; obstruction of justice; resisting arrest; fraud; and violent or threatening conduct. Additionally, Covered Persons shall not by their words or conduct suggest that criminal activity is acceptable or condoned within the NFL.
Persons charged with criminal activity
Any Covered Person arrested for or charged with conduct prohibited by this policy will be required to undergo a consultation and additional counseling as directed. Failure to comply with the consultation and counseling (including being arrested for or charged with additional criminal activity during the evaluation and counseling period) shall itself be conduct detrimental to the National Football League and shall be punishable by fine or suspension at the discretion of the Commissioner.
Disposition of the criminal proceeding
Any Covered Person convicted of or admitting to a criminal violation (including a plea to a lesser included offense; a plea of nolo contendere or no contest; or the acceptance of a diversionary program, deferred adjudication, disposition of supervision, or similar arrangement) will be subject to discipline as determined by the Commissioner. Such discipline may include a fine, suspension without pay and/or banishment from the League. Any Covered Person convicted of or admitting to a second criminal violation will be suspended without pay or banished for a period of time to be determined by the Commissioner.
Persons engaged in violent activity in the workplace
Every employee is entitled to a safe and professional workplace free of criminal behavior, violence and threats against personal safety. Criminal conduct in the workplace or against other employees is prohibited. Any Covered Person who commits or threatens violent acts against co-workers, regardless of whether an arrest is made or criminal charges are brought, shall be subject to evaluation, counseling and discipline, including termination of employment.
Duty to report prohibited conduct
To ensure the effective administration of the policy, the League must be advised when a Covered Person engages in Prohibited Conduct. The obligation to report an arrest or criminal charge extends to both the person involved and to the Club or League entity for which he or she works.
When a person subject to this policy is arrested or charged with Prohibited Conduct, that information must be reported to the Club and NFL Security. Failure to report an incident will constitute conduct detrimental and will be taken into consideration in the final determination of discipline under this policy.
Appeal rights
Any person disciplined under this policy shall have a right of appeal, including a hearing, before the Commissioner or his designee. Except for the enforcement of a suspension, no other requirements set forth in the policy will be stayed pending the completion of the appeal.
The document basically says that everything is “left to the discretion of the commissioner”. I think it is time to list all the penalties in the document. The time to have a fuzzy document replaced is now. You cannot have a document that is left to the offender to decipher.
Yahoo Sports- Problem is: players didn’t stop misbehaving. Even more, the NFL’s policy doesn’t provide answers. While Goodell was wise to create the document and attack a looming image problem, it still stands today as a public relations ploy – two pages of words that mean different things depending on the profile of the offender.
What is the problem here?
When you throw crazy amounts of fame, fortune, and everything else at these young people, the core values or lack there of, eventually bubble to the service. Why is that some players are so grounded and say and do everything right, and others fall into the temptations and squander their talent.
I look at a Darrelle Revis (@revis24) and am amazed at the young mans level of maturity, focus, and professionalism. I then look at an Antonio Cromaritie @A_Cromartie31) and think that this young man has no chance. He didn’t commit a crime and didn’t break the personal conduct policy, but he’s on the edge. When you have many children with many women, your personal conduct must be questioned. Since with the Jets however; he has done everything right so far to prove he is going to be a changed man.
The CB was married this past weekend. Here is a link to his first wedding dance. I think it was the same song my wife and I danced to… NOT.
