Has the NFL gone too far?
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Much has been made of Roger Goodell being the new sheriff of the NFL. He has banned Pacman Jones for the entire season, and both Chris Henry and Tank Johnson for 8 games each. Of course he also banned a sicko dog-hater from Falcons training camp. We can all expect that Goodell will give He-Who-Does-Not-Deserve-To-Be-Named a long suspension. Today it was announced that Goodell has denied reinstatement to Bengals linebacker Odell Thurman. Thurman already missed an entire season and the denial of his reinstatement means that he is banned from the NFL for the second straight year. Thurman's wrong doing included missing a drug screening (4 game suspension) and being arrested for DUI (made the 4 game suspension and entire season). Most recently Thurman was accused of roughing up some party-goers, but those charges were dropped.
I am neither a fan of the Bengals nor a defender of Odell Thurman's behavior. However, I must ask what Thurman did that deserved a 2 year suspension? Did he commit a heinous vilent act against another player like Marty McSorley, Chris Simon or Michael Westbrook? Did he acknowledge using performance enhancing drugs like Jason Giambi? Did he commit a heinous crime against innocent animals like He-Who-Does-Not-Deserve-To-Be-Named? If Thurman's actions effectively resulted in a 2 year ban, then I would imagine that Michael Vick would not be playing football for another 5 years (assuming he is not in jail).
I have to imagine that the NFLPA is going to get involved here. What possible justification could Goodell have for such a draconian punishment? While Thurman seems like a pretty bad dude, I don't see anything in his thug report that would justify preventing Thurman from working at his occupation for two complete years.
There are two main repercussions of Goodell's action. First, as I just mentioned, is that this time the Union might interfere. Pacman Jones did not make a compelling case, and 8 games for repeat offenders Chris Henry and Tank Johnson seemed to be pretty fair punishment. However, I expect the this case is going to give the Union the ammunition that they need to hit back and put Goodell in his place. Secondly, the bar is set so high that punishment is going to be difficult in the future. If Thurman gets 2 years for missing a drug test, DUI, and being accused, but neither tried nor convicted, of getting into a fight, what is a fairpunishment for someone who does worse? What is the punishment for someone who kills dogs? What is the punishment for a player who commits an intentional season-ending injury on a star player?
I respect the need to control the behavior of professional athletes and Roger Goodell's attempts to do so. In denying Thurman's reinstatement, I think that a power-drunk man has gone too far.
