League Conduct Policy Appears Arbitrary

Vick is guilty - it was his property that this activity was transpiring
a federal grand jury doesn't just pass out random indictments (there has to be indisputable evidence to forward the case) Vick has alread been summoned ... this is not an investigation
it's pretty cut and dry

regardless of whether or not he had any knowledge of dogfighting on his property is beside the point - it was on his property. possession is 9/10 of the law (or haven't you heard?)
if you owned a large parcel of land and someone was growing marijuana on it - you'd be the one liable for criminal charges. why? because it's your property

 

The policy further states that each situation is basically handled on its on merit, and other circumstances come into play. There isn't a hard and fast rule for every player. The nature of the "crime"...how his team is handling the matter, the intances of offenders on a team, etc., etc.

http://www.nflpa.org/RulesAndRegs/ConductPolicy.aspx

There is the entire policy.
I took the blurbs from these links.

http://www.prostaronline.com/nfl_conduct_policy.html

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/10119182

 

Right- which is the source of contention. The policy appears arbitrary and especially how it has been enforced when reviewing its application to Pacman versus Vick, Joey Porter and others.

 

Much of the same. Goodell feeling the heat.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/F/FBN_PETA_FALCONS_VICK_NFL?SITE=TNMEM&SECTION=SPORTS

"Goodell met with officials from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

The leaders of the demonstration focused on Goodell's one-year suspension of Tennessee's Adam "Pacman" Jones under the NFL's personal conduct policy, although Jones has not been convicted of any crime.

"We think they should do the same with Michael Vick," said Dan Shannon, an assistant director of campaigns for PETA. "We don't think their 'wait and see' attitude goes far enough. If they suspended Pacman Jones, they can suspend Vick.""

"In Washington, Sen. John Kerry said he would introduce legislation aimed at eliminating dogfighting and sent a letter to Goodell asking him to immediately suspend Vick."

 

That article was dated the 21st. I think Goodell has already responded by suspending him with pay.

 

Odell Thurman out for 2007.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2949872

Several substance abuse policy transgressions and assault charges pending. He gets a full year. That does seem consistent and appropriate.

 

I am surprised you are saying that. I actually feel this is pretty harsh..but I don't know what goes on behind the scenes. According to the story the assault charges were never filed, but again it's a case of getting the headlines. NFL players are literally going to have to avoid being blackmailed now. What's to keep anyone from accusing a player and saying pay me off or I will go to the cops and file charges? This could keep lawyers busy for a long time.

 

Guy was a 4 time substance abuse policy offender AND he had the assault issues. It is consistent with the strictness applied to Pac. (But not vick or porter). It is appropriate IMO, becuase it is the 3rd time he was reprimanded (found in violation of the policy) by the league.

 

TNThunder is right though. There is a real risk here. If an accusation is enough to get a guy suspended, people will be reporting alleged crimes all the time, just to get revenge or take a player down or whatever. I think it should have been tied to convictions all along. Goodell's whole "hurts the image of the NFL" policy is misguided. You can't start punishing people for being accused of crimes.

Now Pacman actually failed to report an arrest, which makes his case different (I thought a year's suspension was still too harsh though).

 

That is one reason why many people, myself included, have taken great exception to Goodell actually starting to use the "charges" clause in the personal conduct policy.

I think one of the differences is that a person goes to the police with a complaint and the police then decide whether or not there is enough evidence to file charges. Unfortunately, there are some opportunistic officers so this is by no means an ideal system. Many celebrities have been unfairly targeted as you have suggested might occur.