Pacman Jones Suspended For 2007
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It was a long time coming, but it finally happened on April 10: Pacman Jones was suspended for the 2007 NFL season for his ongoing off-the-field issues. Chris Henry was also suspended eight games.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell wrote letters to Jones and Henry, explaining his decision.
"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."
"We must protect the integrity of the NFL," Goodell said in a separate statement. "The highest standards of conduct must be met by everyone in the NFL because it is a privilege to represent the NFL, not a right. These players, and all members of our league, have to make the right choices and decisions in their conduct on a consistent basis."
Last Thursday, I argued in my column that Jones should be suspended (after having seen this video of Chris "Mad Dog" Russo). What do you think? Were the suspensions long enough, too short, just right ... or should they have been suspended at all? With the NFL expected to announce a code of conduct and the NBA code of conduct, are leagues regulating their athlete too harshly, not harshly enough, just the right amount ... or should they even do it at all?
Pacman Jones
I hope people don't overlook the fact that Pacman Jones has contributed much to his community despite the off-the-field problems he is currently facing. We as human beings all cherish our personal time, and for Pacman Jones to contribute his personal time and money as he has I think says a lot about his personal character. This kid was raised in the projects, he's not going to ever forget his upbringing....he may be associating with those that are less fortunate, not as gifted, and not financially as stable as he is....bottom line, he may be hanging with gangster thugs for all we know....but should we expect him to just forget those that helped him become the person he is today? Of course not....I'm not saying that Pacman has a right to go out and cause trouble, but I am saying that it takes a village to raise a child....and if the village raising a child happens to be the projects of Atlanta....then so be it. People may or may not know, but Pacman has done much for his community....even bought new uniforms for the police department. I think its important that we understand that HE IS A GOOD PERSON who didn't have all the things growing up that most of us take for granted.