What Crimes Should The League Punish By Lifetime Suspension?

There is a lot of public sentiment for the league to take action over and above the legal system for lost of different crimes.

So, what crimes should be punished by lifetime suspension by the league? Do the actions (conviction and punishment) of the legal system relevant?

I am NOT meaning to discuss what the legal system should do, or what the teams should do. They have their own set of functions and priorities.

Also, for what actions should the league suspend a player, pending action by the legal system (which obviously could take years)?

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We might start with murder. When should a player be suspended by the LEAGUE (if at all)?

Upon arrest?
After the player is charged with murder?
After conviction? (is a plea bargain relevant since this is often the result)?

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I don't think any of this is clear. The patriots had a situation that, in the judgement of the TEAM, was clearly guilty. The team fired him, taking an additional cap hit compared with waiting. The team did not wait for charges to be filed. I'm not questioning Kraft's actions. I'm just bringing up the most extreme situation.

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VIOLENCE, DRUGS and GAMBLING

These three issues seem important to the league. Should they be? If so, what should the league do? So many here have criticized the league for being inconsistent. Others take the opposite approach, suggesting the league should have extreme latitude to make decisions on a case by case basis.

The league is re-visiting its drug policy. IMHO, it needs major changes. I see no reason for the league to have penalties for use or abuse of alcohol or marijuana. These matters can be left for the legislatures and courts to deal with.

The league should be punishing only for infractions against play, and a level playing field (i.e. off-field PED usage). Fixing games for money would seem to be worthy of a lifetime ban. That's probably it.

General criminality should not be of any concern to the NFL.

Deus Irae said:

The league should be punishing only for infractions against play, and a level playing field (i.e. off-field PED usage). Fixing games for money would seem to be worthy of a lifetime ban. That's probably it.

General criminality should not be of any concern to the NFL.

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IDK, BB handled the Aaron Hernandez perfectly....

There is a fine line between letting the legal process take its course, and keeping a legal process interrupt your season.

anditsgood said:

IDK, BB handled the Aaron Hernandez perfectly....

There is a fine line between letting the legal process take its course, and keeping a legal process interrupt your season.

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Team v. League

Deus Irae said:

Team v. League

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I still think there are individual circumstances that a player should be banned indefinite, Ray Lewis, should have been one

Deus Irae said:

The league should be punishing only for infractions against play, and a level playing field (i.e. off-field PED usage). Fixing games for money would seem to be worthy of a lifetime ban. That's probably it.

General criminality should not be of any concern to the NFL.

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I agree. Think about the consequences if all businesses would refuse to hire ex-cons. Absent legal alternatives, they would be driven to recidivism.

anditsgood said:

I still think there are individual circumstances that a player should be banned indefinite, Ray Lewis, should have been one

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Ray Lewis pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor. There's no way in hell he deserved a lifetime ban over that.

Wrong socks length.

anditsgood said:

IDK, BB handled the Aaron Hernandez perfectly....

There is a fine line between letting the legal process take its course, and keeping a legal process interrupt your season.

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As DI pointed out, you are discussing the actions by the TEAM. I meant the thread to be about league actions.

With regard to patriot TEAM action, my personal view is that Hernandez could have been suspended without pay, pending his being charged. He would not have been allowed to be present at any patriot facilities. I don't see how this would have interrupted the season in any way. Personally, I don't understand why a team should fire an employee for being arrested. In any case, this is a team decision. The team has every right to cut a player at any time.

And just BTW, such action would have saved cap money.

The league should ban any team for lifetime that fits this criteria...

existence detrimental to the health and credibility of the league

or, in other words, the New York Jets

Toe sucking

mgteich said:

Personally, I don't understand why a team should fire an employee for being arrested. In any case, this is a team decision. The team has every right to cut a player at any time.

And just BTW, such action would have saved cap money.

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When the profitability of an organization can be significantly affected by public sentiment, it makes sense for a team to fire a player. If the Pats kept Hernandez on the team after his arrest, there is a good chance it would have a significant effect on the bottom line.

Murder, Rape, Child Abuse... all good starts. Might be time to stop making millionaires out of scum. Good luck with that, though. Heaven forbid a corporation be accountable for the actions of its representatives and... gasp... act accordingly.

how about excessive stupidity. a recent example would be rex ryan and his "we have two great quarterbacks" comment.

anything that is a felony in the state you are convicted in

Deus Irae said:

Ray Lewis pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor. There's no way in hell he deserved a lifetime ban over that.

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Pretty sure the suggestion was due to Ray Lewis being a murderer. Pretty sure you knew that and were trying to make an obtuse point skirting the fact we all know he's a murderer. League or Team doesn't have to wait for conviction- AHern case proved that.

Infractions that deserve Lifetime Bans....

1) "The Manning Face"
2) Owners that provide transportation and fine dining to game day officials and their superiors
3) Any NFL management/committee that gives Bill Polian more than 30 seconds of ear time
4) Anyone who roots for Jests. I will grant immunity to Jests fans under six because they don't know better. At age seven or older.........gone for life

mgteich said:

There is a lot of public sentiment for the league to take action over and above the legal system for lost of different crimes.

So, what crimes should be punished by lifetime suspension by the league? Do the actions (conviction and punishment) of the legal system relevant?

...
Also, for what actions should the league suspend a player, pending action by the legal system (which obviously could take years)?

===============================

We might start with murder. When should a player be suspended by the LEAGUE (if at all)?

Upon arrest?
After the player is charged with murder?
After conviction? (is a plea bargain relevant since this is often the result)?
...

VIOLENCE, DRUGS and GAMBLING

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I'll save the reader some time. My answer to all is No (or none). The business of football is football not justice. Individual teams may or may not care about their brand but if, say Ziggy Wilf needs the league to protect him from himself, um, screw him. Another owner when he drives the Vikings brand down will get the franchise on the cheap.

If, say the Patriots cut a murderous TE who gets off on a technicality he should be free to sign with anyone. If the Patriots do not want him back, that is their business. If, say the Bengals, want him Goodell should not stop them.

Deus Irae said:

The league should be punishing only for infractions against play, and a level playing field (i.e. off-field PED usage). Fixing games for money would seem to be worthy of a lifetime ban. That's probably it.

General criminality should not be of any concern to the NFL.

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I did not think of PEDs and/or point shaving. Good point.
(Could a mobster get to a trainer and bribe him to give the star steroids so he fails a PED test and is suspended? )

Deus Irae said:

The league should be punishing only for infractions against play, and a level playing field (i.e. off-field PED usage). Fixing games for money would seem to be worthy of a lifetime ban. That's probably it.

General criminality should not be of any concern to the NFL.

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I agree with you but it can become a public relations nightmare.