Pacman Jones Suspended for 1 Season

[kerouac9]

If you are under contract, you have to abide by the code of conduct of your employer. They could tell you to dress in a clown suit everyday and if you don't, they can do what they want with you because you broke contract. And you can't pull the union card because of the CBA.

He lied about two incidents to the NFL and his team (breaching the CBA), compounded with his history in his first two years in the league. That's all they needed to see when they pulled the trigger.

Name me ONE other player who's had 10 different run-in's with the law in their first two years in the league?

This isn't a race issue, this is an "I-repeatedly-acted-dumb-and-embarrassed-my-employer-so-now-I'm-suspended" issue. He's being made an example of to let it be known that the league won't tolerate this nonsense.

The ONLY issue that is up for debate will be Pac-Man losing his income for the entire year. That is something he (and the PA) could actually fight and have merit.

PS - I'm black.

1) I am in no way trying or alluding to the perception that being black is equivalent to committing or being involved in crime.

2) I can't believe that I'm the only one that finds it a little odd that Jones is (allegedly--funny how this story hasn't hit any wires since being alluded to two days ago) being punished for hanging out with the wrong people.

I actually don't even have a problem with him being punished for being involved in so many incidents. But what I do have a problem with is using the excuse of failing to report 2 incidents to the NFL as an excuse to suspend the player for the same amount of time as if he'd failed three drug tests or used steroids twice. That punishment doesn't seem to fit the crime.

What I see here, and I really don't understand how others aren't seeing it, is that the NFL is punishing a player more severely for acts that are more often associated with NBA players. How long did Jermane O'Neal (?) get suspended for firing a gun into the air outside of a strip club before the NBA season started?

Pacman Jones makes bad decisions. I'm sorry for him about that, and really wish that he lived his life off the field as positively as he plays on it. But I don't think he should lose 10% of his career when he didn't commit any acts hear as heinous as Albert Haynesworth did.

And I think that this would be a different story if Adam Jones didn't walk around looking like this:

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and acted like he cared what all these ticket-buyers thought about what he did.

I understand that the NFL is embarrassed. I'm embarrassed for Pacman and the NFL. But if he's being made the focus of all the other NFL players who have gotten in trouble over the past year, I don't think that's fair, and I don't think that'd be the case if Pacman looked a little more like this:

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Again, these are just my opinions. I don't really care what y'all think about them. But I'd really prefer that you don't belittle them. I back them with reasoning, and I think them out. I take care to justify my opinions and buttress them with evidence where I can. I rarely belittle other people's opinions on their faces, except to call them misinformed, and provide evidence supporting that point.

 

[BigRedRage]

You keep saying you are not pointing at race but you said in your own words that his crime life is "being black" and "the white NFL" wont let him do that. You shouldnt be surprised that your statement sounds very racist.

 

[kerouac9]

...you are an ignorant fool for saying that hes being black by commiting crimes

Take your racist BS somewhere else, I'm sorry you feel the white man wont let everyone be black.

Sorry, BRR. I didn't say this and never have. My whole point has been that Pacman Jones hasn't committed any crimes, and the racism is that people are assuming that he has before the facts are in.

I really appreciate the words being shoved into my mouth. Hard to believe that there might not be a little institutional racism in the leadership of a league where 100% of the owners are white, the commissioner is white, and all the league officials aren't accessible via the internet. Until the last decade, there wasn't a single black general manager in the NFL.

Things have gotten better, but there's still a long way to go. At both ends. I wasn't all that happy or impressed when Larry Johnson said that he perferred playing for a black head coach instead of Dick Vermeil.

But these problems don't go away if we just ignore them.

 

[kerouac9]

You keep saying you are not pointing at race but you said in your own words that his crime life is "being black" and "the white NFL" wont let him do that. You shouldnt be surprised that your statement sounds very racist.

Are you disagreeing that the NFL is, both in terms of ownership and the vast majority of fans, a white-dominated league?

I agree that maybe my original statement should have been modified to state that there's a perceived difference between "being black" and "acting black" or even "living black." This cuts across both communities, of course. A lot of black leaders are suspicious of Barack Obama for not being "black enough," and Rush Limbaugh refers to Senator Obama as "halfrican." At the same time, many white people loved--loved--Colin Powell, often remarking that he's "so well-spoken." The same holds true with Secretary of State Condileeza Rice. Contrasted with people who complain that they can't hear some Suns' players talk because it sounds like their mouths are full of marbles, it's hard not to think that they're making distinctions between "good blacks" and "bad blacks."

I've been thinking about Jones a lot, and I wonder if he hangs out with a bad crowd and allows himself to be in trouble because that's how he feels he's still "keeping it real." If his understanding of this culture is based more on what he gets from the music than anything else. I don't know. If that's the case, it's really kind of sad.

But I'm almost certain that I never equated blackness with crime. My main thesis is that we shouldn't be coming down this hard on Pacman until it's actually been shown that he's committing crimes. From the examples that I've seen, Pacman can't assuredly be said to have done anything but hang out with bad people. He should be discouraged from doing that, but I think that this is too much, too soon.

I think that might be what the NFL is thinking, too, and the NFL PA. I wonder if, when all is said and done, he gets more like 4-8 games. That seems more appropriate.

 

[MadCardDisease]

Even the guys Uncle has called him out:

"I have told him a thousand times he is no bigger than that game, and that game is going to keep going with or without him. Whether he is taking this seriously, I can't really say," Robert Jones said. "But he is going to have to change, and I don't know if he ever will.''

http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070228/SPORTS01/702280465/1002/SPORTS

The guy needs a serious wakeup call and I think the NFL is doing him a favor.

 

[BACH]

Len P at ESPN.com is reporting that Tank Johnson may only get suspended for 4 games for his gun charge. If Tank gets a month for actually being convicted of a felony and Pacman gets 12 for only being arrested, something's very much awry at the NFL offices.

I think you're missing that the main point in this case is probably that Pac-Man tried to hide his two arrests in (can't remember the state, but somewhere outside of Tennessee).

When a NFL player gets into trouble he has to report it ASAP. It's in all contracts. Trying to hide his arrests has IMO brought him in way more trouble with the NFL than his actual actions.

 

[Russ Smith]

Even the guys Uncle has called him out:



http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070228/SPORTS01/702280465/1002/SPORTS

The guy needs a serious wakeup call and I think the NFL is doing him a favor.

His own mom said it, she said maybe missing some games due to a suspension would wake him up. She has gone on record as saying he won't listen to her when she tells him he's putting his future career at risk.

I'm guessing she's black too.

 

[40yearfan]

K9, you have a lot of nerve calling anyone a racist. The only racist remarks I ever see on this board are in your posts.

 

[kerouac9]

Even the guys Uncle has called him out:



http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070228/SPORTS01/702280465/1002/SPORTS

The guy needs a serious wakeup call and I think the NFL is doing him a favor.

I agree that Pacman does need a wake-up call. I agree with everything that's in that article. But what do you really think he's going to do with 12 months off? Hang out at the library? Get the kid some help. Heck, the NFL and the Titans should require the kid wear one of those anklets for the entire offseason. But it should be obvious that Jones' head is on straight when he's playing football and he's working.

 

[Dback Jon]

K9, you have a lot of nerve calling anyone a racist. The only racist remarks I ever see on this board are in your posts.

 

[Skkorpion]

Getting close to moving this to the P&R board.

 

[jefftheshark]

K9, being an apologist for bad behavior must be a lonely and discouraging business.

But keep up the good work! I am sure that "people who are unconcerned about the company that they keep" are cheering you on, and praying for the day that they will be delivered from their oppression.

The Shark

 

[BigRedRage]

Is Pacman a guy that I'd like to put up in my house? Of course not. Does he deserve this punishment? Heck, no. This is a white league trying to send a message to its players that they can't be as black as they wanna be. The NFL is telling its players that the League will not turn into the NBA.

Sorry, BRR. I didn't say this and never have. My whole point has been that Pacman Jones hasn't committed any crimes, and the racism is that people are assuming that he has before the facts are in.

I'm sorry dude but I know what you said and no matter how you try to spin it the same reaction is going to come.

Yes I agree the NFL ownership is prodominatley white, as with the commish. What does that have to do with anything? 80% of the players are black, we dont punish them all, the guy gets in trouble non stop and we nail him and now the NFL is racist? You think if a whiteboy had 10 runins with police in 2 years and his most recent is beating strippers and accomplis to murder and the nfl would slap his wrists? Your delusional buddy. Besides, how many black americans can afford an NFL team? almost none, thats why there are no owners. This has been explained time and time again from multiple sources.

 

[BullheadCardFan]

Prison or jail?

Jail terms are all less than a year .. more than a year and its off to prison ...

Tank got 120 days of county jail time .. and will only do 60 of the 120 if he stays out of trouble .. he qualifies for the one for one on his offense .. do one day and get credit for one day .. it has to do with overcrowding in the jail system ...

But since Tank is a high profile inmate he is segregated and all alone in a lockdown cell which is called a 23 and 1 .. 23 hours in your cell and 1 hour out for shower and rec .. he can not be put in general population .. he would be a prize if anyone could put him down ..

He was being harassed while being booked by other inmates asking him to bail them out and calling him out on not winning the super bowl ..

 

[kerouac9]

Pacman Jones is not an accomplice to a murder. The guy in his posse came back to the club and started shooting it up after Jones had already left. No matter how many times you repeat that, it's not going to be any more true.

I just want to make sure that you're saying that every black person in America is too poor to afford even partial ownership in an NFL team. And that's why there aren't any black owners in the NFL while there are black owners in the NBA and MLB. Wow. Just... wow.

 

[kerouac9]

Jail terms are all less than a year .. more than a year and its off to prison ...

Tank got 120 days of county jail time .. and will only do 60 of the 120 if he stays out of trouble .. he qualifies for the one for one on his offense .. do one day and get credit for one day .. it has to do with overcrowding in the jail system ...

But since Tank is a high profile inmate he is segregated and all alone in a lockdown cell which is called a 23 and 1 .. 23 hours in your cell and 1 hour out for shower and rec .. he can not be put in general population .. he would be a prize if anyone could put him down ..

He was being harassed while being booked by other inmates asking him to bail them out and calling him out on not winning the super bowl ..

I'm honestly speaking from ignorance on this, but I'm pretty sure I remember that Jamal Lewis spent his summer in federal prison when he plead to the drug charge (for which I'm pretty sure he was suspended for 4 games only).

I also don't think that Tank is having a grand time in jail. I'm sure it's especially crappy when you're an athlete in the NFL. But from everything that I've been lead to believe, prison time is much, much worse than jail time. I think this all got started because the original poster said that Johnson was going to prison.

 

[Russ Smith]

Pacman Jones is not an accomplice to a murder. The guy in his posse came back to the club and started shooting it up after Jones had already left. No matter how many times you repeat that, it's not going to be any more true.

.

Some of the reports say after Jones was physically removed by the bouncer guy he told him to his face you will be dead by the end of the night.

Not long later a guy who had been with Jones all night, entered with him, left with him, comes in and starts shooting hitting both the bouncer Jones threatened, and another bouncer who is now paralyzed.

Is it really that far fetched to think that the shooter was acting on the suggestions of jones? As others have said he's very lucky he's not being charged for that, as an accomplice to attempted murder or whatever they're charging the shooter with.

 

[kerouac9]

He is lucky not to be being charged with that, but if the cops aren't putting that on him, I'm guessing there's a reason. The guy could have just assumed that that's what Pacman would have wanted without Pacman saying that he was just talking tough (Shades of Henry VIII remarking, "Can't someone rid me of this troublesome priest?").

I don't know how many times I need to say it: I'm not excusing Jones' actions, or the friends that he's hanging out with. Adam 'Pacman' Jones has repeatedly made bad decisions. But the one-season punishment doesn't fit the crime(s)--especially before anything's been worked out in court.

 

[BullheadCardFan]

I'm honestly speaking from ignorance on this, but I'm pretty sure I remember that Jamal Lewis spent his summer in federal prison when he plead to the drug charge (for which I'm pretty sure he was suspended for 4 games only).

I also don't think that Tank is having a grand time in jail. I'm sure it's especially crappy when you're an athlete in the NFL. But from everything that I've been lead to believe, prison time is much, much worse than jail time. I think this all got started because the original poster said that Johnson was going to prison.

You can get a prison term of any length .. short or long ... 1 month to life ...

But if you are sentenced over a year then you are going to prison not jail ...

And yes jail time is worse than prison .. in prison there are rules of respect that you learn to live by and there are more priviledges like your own TV .. county jail is just wide open and anything can happen no matter who you are .. jails have jailhouse warriors who once they go to prison are reduced to nothing by their own ignorance ... 2 completely different worlds ..

 

[AZCB34]

I am thinking about making enchilada's for dinner tonight.

Thoughts?

 

[Russ Smith]

He is lucky not to be being charged with that, but if the cops aren't putting that on him, I'm guessing there's a reason. The guy could have just assumed that that's what Pacman would have wanted without Pacman saying that he was just talking tough (Shades of Henry VIII remarking, "Can't someone rid me of this troublesome priest?").

I don't know how many times I need to say it: I'm not excusing Jones' actions, or the friends that he's hanging out with. Adam 'Pacman' Jones has repeatedly made bad decisions. But the one-season punishment doesn't fit the crime(s)--especially before anything's been worked out in court.

I think what people are telling you is the NFL suspension is NOT tied to whether or not he's convicted, it's tied to him violating terms of his contract by not reporting 2 arrests. This is just the latest one that happened but it would appear the league said that's the final straw, we know about 2 incidents he didn't report, that violates his contract, let's make an example of him?

I guess we have to wait for it to actually happen, the suspension that is.

But I think their intent is to try and send the kid a message before he actually does wind up in prison.

 

[BigRedRage]

Pacman Jones is not an accomplice to a murder. The guy in his posse came back to the club and started shooting it up after Jones had already left. No matter how many times you repeat that, it's not going to be any more true.

I just want to make sure that you're saying that every black person in America is too poor to afford even partial ownership in an NFL team. And that's why there aren't any black owners in the NFL while there are black owners in the NBA and MLB. Wow. Just... wow.

Ever watch Real Sports? or any other of the "serious" sports programs? Back when the media was making a big deal out of it they pointed out the amount of money it costs to own a team and the amount of black people who could afford it and the answer was one. I never said black people are poor or that they could not be a "partial owner" but who is selling theyr team in the first place and who can buy it? Im stating what the national media said about the situation, I am not stating my opinion. I do not know anything about fiscal averages between races nor do I care to know. This is just what was said for why we dont have a black owner in the nfl. Im sure if someone decides to sell theyr team a black guy will be the front runner because the NFL wants a black owner.

 

[Stout]

He is lucky not to be being charged with that, but if the cops aren't putting that on him, I'm guessing there's a reason. The guy could have just assumed that that's what Pacman would have wanted without Pacman saying that he was just talking tough (Shades of Henry VIII remarking, "Can't someone rid me of this troublesome priest?").

I don't know how many times I need to say it: I'm not excusing Jones' actions, or the friends that he's hanging out with. Adam 'Pacman' Jones has repeatedly made bad decisions. But the one-season punishment doesn't fit the crime(s)--especially before anything's been worked out in court.

Henry II in reference to St. Thomas Beckett

 

[CorporalCardinal]

Anyone else hear that pac-man video game death sound?

 

[ajcardfan]

He is lucky not to be being charged with that, but if the cops aren't putting that on him, I'm guessing there's a reason.

He's far from in the clear on that. They probably want someone in his posse to turn on him so they can be sure of good chance at a conviction. It might be months from now, but he could definitely still get charged.