Goodell dishes out punishment to Pacman and Henry

by Tom V.

The NFL has suspended Adam “Pacman” Jones for all of the 2007 season and Chris Henry received an eight-game suspension — both for numerous violations of the NFL’s personal conduct policy.

“It is a privilege to represent the NFL, not a right,” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement announcing the suspensions. “These players and all members of our league have to make the right choices and decisions in their conduct on a consistent basis.”

These are Goodell’s first two major suspensions and the beginning of what will be a firm and zero tolerance, though just, policy of punishment.

Fans expected Pacman to be punished through a major suspension, and a full season away from football without pay can definitely be considered “major.” But Jones’ total disregard for his reputation put him in this situation, one where he only brought punishment upon himself. Hey, he was present during a shooting, and he has been questioned by police on 9 different occasions — no one is so unlucky that they can’t avoid that many circumstances.

Henry has also had his run-ins with the law, but not to the extent of Jones. He being arrested 4 times in a 12 month span is totally inexcusable and his 1/2 season punishment will set a clear example to the rest of his Bengals teammates, some of which have been acting in a similar manner as he.

Both teams will miss their players but they won’t miss the distractions. And kudos to Goodell who laid down the law. Because of him, we are one leap closer to a crime-free and thug-less NFL.