TEAM
When should the team suspend a player? Since he has not been proven guilty, a team should suspend with pay until there is a guilty plea.
The players sign an ambiguous morals clause. The players have accepted this. So, they can certainly be fired for being arrested, or for having violated the morals of the team.
I guess each team can have its own standards of when they will exact punishment in addition to those given by the police and court system. Obviously, we can turn the other way when a player uses drugs or is involved illegally with those who are. Each team can decide whether a player who has served a sentence should be cut. Of course, another team can sign such a player.
After the appeal, I suspect that Rice will be playing for someone in the NFL, this year or next.
THE NFL
The players do NOT work for the NFL. The NFL is NOT the police. The NFL is NOT judge and jury. The NFL has a narrow set of responsibilities having to with game itself, safety and specific item negotiated with the union. Drugs is the best example of this. Setting rules for concussions is another.
The CURRENT NFL policy for spousal abuse is 6 games for the first offense. Posters here would seem to want to change this to a lifetime ban. Offense is defined as anything the NFL wants it to mean. There is no requirement of action by the police. There are rules with regard to sentencing by both the league and the team.
In any case, this is very slippery slope. When someone is accused of a crime, what should happen? Should the NFL really exact punishment with no police action at alL, or because they didn't like the police action?
IMHO, the NFL is not going to be able to be court of law. Should it ban a child abuser for life if the courts give the player 90 days in jail. If someone kills someone while under the influence, MUST the NFL act, if the court sentence isn't enough.
BOTTOM LINE
What should the NFL penalties be for various crimes? And just BTW, what other organizations in our society should have the right to try, convict and punch individuals?
What should the team's penalties be for various crimes? Should all felons be banned for life? Should all who are convicted of any crimes be banned for life.
Apparently, we have moved to a country where private organizations have taken the place of the legislature, police and courts. And the mob decides what actions should be taken. IMHO, this is very, very wrong. At best the NFL and/or teams should suspend with pay, pending court action, and then have clear penalties that DO NOT require their own police force.
