NFL Pulls The Plug On Pacman, Henry
POSTED: 1:50 pm EDT April 10,
2007
New York, NY -- (Sports Network) - The National Football League has issued suspensions to Tennessee's Adam "Pacman" Jones and Cincinnati's Chris Henry for off-field conduct.Jones has been suspended for the entire 2007 season, while Henry will sit for the first eight games of the campaign. "We must protect the integrity of the NFL," commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. "The highest standards of conduct must be met by everyone in the NFL because it is a privilege to represent the NFL, not a right. These players, and all members of our league, have to make the right choices and decisions in their conduct on a consistent basis." The NFL has revised its player conduct policy and Goodell imposed the harsh penalties under the new provisions. Each player, according to a league release, must earn the right to be reinstated by adhering to certain conditions. Goodell wrote to each player, notifying them of the suspensions. "Your conduct has brought embarrassment and ridicule upon yourself, your club, and the NFL, and has damaged the reputation of players throughout the league," wrote Goodell. "You have put in jeopardy an otherwise promising NFL career, and have risked both your own safety and the safety of others through your off-field actions. In each of these respects, you have engaged in conduct detrimental to the NFL and failed to live up to the standards expected of NFL players. Taken as a whole, this conduct warrants significant sanction." Jones has had numerous run-ins with the law in just two NFL seasons, including some type of alleged involvement in a shooting at a strip club in Las Vegas during the NBA's All-Star weekend in February. Goodell, who met with Jones recently, said the player's status will be reviewed after the Titans' 10th regular season game to determine if he has complied with certain parameters. Jones, according to the conditions, must have no further adverse involvement with law enforcement. He must fully cooperate with all required counseling, education, and treatment assigned under league or court-ordered programs. He must adhere to the restrictions on his activities that have been agreed to by he and the Titans. In addition, he may not be at the Titans' facility through May 31 and may not participate in any practices or organized workouts during the term of the suspension. Beginning June 1, he must visit the team facility once each week to meet with the team's player development director. Also, beginning June 1, he is permitted to spend one day a week at the team facility for conditioning, film study, and other similar activities. Also, in conjunction with the team's player development director and other professionals working with him, Jones must develop with the Titans a structured program of community service or other activity. This program must be submitted to the league office for review and approval. Henry, meanwhile, was arrested four times in a 14-month span and served a two- game suspension during the 2006 season for his off-field transgressions. Goodell said Henry will be reinstated after Cincinnati's eighth game of the 2007 season if he meets certain conditions. Henry, according to the league, must have no further adverse involvement with law enforcement and must fully cooperate with all required counseling, education, and treatment assigned to him under league programs. The league said he is eligible to be at the Bengals' facilities during the rest of the offseason for customary activities and he must meet weekly with the team's player development director. If Henry fully complies with all other conditions, he may participate in the Bengals' training camp and preseason games. During the regular season, he is permitted to be at the Bengals' facility for team meetings and must meet weekly with the team's player development director, but he may not attend or participate in practice. Henry must also fully comply with all conditions imposed on him by any court, including requirements of community service. Goodell added, in his letter to both, that further penalties would be incurred if these conditions are not met. "I must emphasize to you that this is your last opportunity to salvage your NFL career," Goodell wrote to both. "I urge you to take full advantage of the resources available to support you in that effort." Possible further penalties include permanent banishment from the league.
Copyright 2007 Courtesy of The Sports Network.











