Brandon Spikes Video

[Calciumee]

It's him, Spikes admitted it.

Well, he could have easily denied it! At least he has the balls to admit it (no pun intended)

 

[upstater1]

But you can get "mixed up with the law", while not being arrested, not being charged with anything and still wind up with a 6 game suspension. That is enough to show us exactly what the personal conduct policy is all about. (I happen to agree with that particular suspension, if only from the perspective that he probably did it and deserved to be punished somehow.) Also, I'm sure that if a player gets too political in a TV interview he'll get a talking too. Something like that happened a while back in the NBA and involved a fine, IIRC. Sure, it is a huge slippery slope. But the more the league can influence player behavior to their benefit, within the law and the CBA, it appears that they will try to exert that influence.

Who was ever given a suspension for non illegal actions? I can't recall one, can you? Most drugs, illegal. Domestic assault, illegal. Sexual assault, illegal.

As for the NBA, they had Charles Barkley on. He was constantly talking politics, lots of football players talk politics.

If a team ever hurt a player based on his lawful actions, you'd have a lawsuit. The team gets to control you when you are at work, your physical appearance even, but they have absolutely no right to suspend you for your lawful private behavior or appearance.

 

[Pats726]

Who was ever given a suspension for non illegal actions? I can't recall one, can you? Most drugs, illegal. Domestic assault, illegal. Sexual assault, illegal.

As for the NBA, they had Charles Barkley on. He was constantly talking politics, lots of football players talk politics.

If a team ever hurt a player based on his lawful actions, you'd have a lawsuit. The team gets to control you when you are at work, your physical appearance even, but they have absolutely no right to suspend you for your lawful private behavior or appearance.

I agree...but there are OTHER companies etc..that are also stringent..Disney..one can not have facial hair at all IF you work for them...I KNOW one who had a big job with them..traveled around teh world..BIG position...no facial hair allowed..

 

[apple strudel]

Who was ever given a suspension for non illegal actions? I can't recall one, can you? Most drugs, illegal. Domestic assault, illegal. Sexual assault, illegal.

As for the NBA, they had Charles Barkley on. He was constantly talking politics, lots of football players talk politics.

If a team ever hurt a player based on his lawful actions, you'd have a lawsuit. The team gets to control you when you are at work, your physical appearance even, but they have absolutely no right to suspend you for your lawful private behavior or appearance.

In the eyes of the law Roethlisberger did nothing wrong and did not break the law. Not charged, not convicted. Yet he's holding a 6 game suspension.

 

[Sicilian]

In the eyes of the law Roethlisberger did nothing wrong and did not break the law. Not charged, not convicted. Yet he's holding a 6 game suspension.

And he was suspended for being in a position where something illegal may have occurred. The law may not have pursued it, but the image of illegal activity was there.

With Spikes, you don't even have the illusion of an illegal activity.

 

[apple strudel]

And he was suspended for being in a position where something illegal may have occurred. The law may not have pursued it, but the image of illegal activity was there.

With Spikes, you don't even have the illusion of an illegal activity.

See, it's a PR issue. That is exactly my point. If it wasn't, why would Goodell even bother bringing Spikes in for a face to face? Like you say, there is nothing illegal taking place. It's all about league PR.

 

[upstater1]

I agree...but there are OTHER companies etc..that are also stringent..Disney..one can not have facial hair at all IF you work for them...I KNOW one who had a big job with them..traveled around teh world..BIG position...no facial hair allowed..

That's understood. Your boss can dictate how you look and and how you act at work, but if you had animal hormones and grew a beard after 5 pm, went about town with your full beard, your boss has no say.

 

[upstater1]

In the eyes of the law Roethlisberger did nothing wrong and did not break the law. Not charged, not convicted. Yet he's holding a 6 game suspension.

I never said committed a crime. I said, got in trouble with the law. Clearly, Ben was implicated and accused.

 

[Kontradiction]

Listen, I really don't have a problem with this. I just wish he would have been blasting "Pretty Boy Swag" by Soulja Boy in the background...

YouTube - (Prod By G5Kids @YoungShay & Murph) Soulja Boy - Pretty Boy Swag (MUSIC VIDEO)

 

[upstater1]

See, it's a PR issue. That is exactly my point. If it wasn't, why would Goodell even bother bringing Spikes in for a face to face? Like you say, there is nothing illegal taking place. It's all about league PR.

There's a big difference.

OJ Simpson is no John Holmes

One has not been found guilty of a crime, while the other engages in activity that is not criminal.

Two different things.

 

[Sicilian]

There's a big difference.

OJ Simpson is no John Holmes

One has not been found guilty of a crime, while the other engages in activity that is not criminal.

Two different things.

That might be the best example I've heard in this thread. One is implicated for something illegal (though not convicted) while one did something that gives people the heebie jeebies.

 

[cmasspatsfan]

I cant believe the overreacting and holier than thou attitudes from some on this board. He had consensual sex with an adult (at least it appears and maybe what the league is verifying).
They'll probably give him a talking to and he'll probably say I was young, dumb and stupid and that will be the end of it.
You cant take the guys livelyhood away for a dumb moment a few years back before he was in the NFL where nothing illegal occured and no one got hurt, jeesum crowe

 

[alamo]

I don't recall players being suspended for off-field non-potentially-criminal activity. Fines but no suspensions.

And I recall a report earlier this year where something that happened in college (an arrest I believe) was stated by the NFL to be outside its concern. I think either entering the draft or actually being drafted is the dividing line.

But if Spikes/his agent has lied about the "it happened in college" part, then I would expect suspension due primarily to the attempted coverup more than the event itself. Though it depends on what they tell the league when the league asks them about it.

 

[RobertWeathers]

That might be the best example I've heard in this thread. One is implicated for something illegal (though not convicted) while one did something that gives people the heebie jeebies.

Wasn't John Holmes involve in a murder or burglery or something?

The jist of the point is understood. However if Spikes decided the embark on a career in porn I GUARANTEE Kraft and Goodell would have a problem with it.

 

[alamo]

If it's him, I think there's a good chance he gets cut.

I am assuming you've seen the video, and the girl is wearing some jewelry or has very long fingernails which look very sharp?

Because that's the only type of "cut" which makes any sense at all in this context, unless you've been napping continuously since 1996...

 

[IcyPatriot]

Over-react much?

Over react ... your opinion.

Mine is that children have access to the internet ... and he has contributed to the porn on the web.

You call that over reaction then so be it.

Has Vince Wilfork, Tom Brady or Tedy Bruschi ever whacked off on the web?

 

[TheGodInAGreyHoodie]

Wasn't John Holmes involve in a murder or burglery or something?

The jist of the point is understood. However if Spikes decided the embark on a career in porn I GUARANTEE Kraft and Goodell would have a problem with it.

Kraft can do what he wants.

But if Goodell decided to ban players from engaging in a side career of porn, in which no laws were broken or alleged to be broken than I can GUARANTEE the Union would have a problem with it.

 

[IcyPatriot]

Only if you and others are banned from the board for being over reactive...just as silly

So it's okay if you have young kids who can access the internet to see Spikes spanking it?

he wears a uniform that is supposed to have some bit of honor to it. A uniform that is used to raise money for charities. It brings shame to the uniform IMO ... if I were Kraft I'd dump him in a heartbeat.

BTW ... he looks wasted ... have you watched it ... perhaps you should.

 

[Sicilian]

Mine is that children have access to the internet ... and he has contributed to the porn on the web.

Not to get into a parenting debate, but if you allow your children unfettered access to the internet, you have no one to blame but yourself for what they're exposed to.

 

[apple strudel]

I never said committed a crime. I said, got in trouble with the law. Clearly, Ben was implicated and accused.

I understand that, but my entire point is that is a very fine line for the NFL to draw and is an essentially slippery slope. What is the NFL's interest in drawing that line and, if it can get away with it, extending that line? PR, obviously. Goodell is obviously interested in extending that line otherwise Spikes wouldn't be having a visit with the commissioner. Goodell probably won't punish him but he likely will give him a stern warning. Why would he warn Spikes or even talk to Spikes about this issue? To preserve the league's image. It's pretty simple.