NFL Suspends Players, Beefs Up Conduct Policy

Multiple Arrests Spur Strengthened Stance

Tennessee's Adam "Pacman" Jones faces possible felony charges and will be barred from the 2007 season. (AP)

The National Football League yesterday delivered the crackdown on criminal conduct by its players that it had promised. Commissioner Roger Goodell suspended Tennessee Titans cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones for the entire 2007 season and Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chris Henry for the first half of it. The league also announced a strengthened conduct policy that empowers Goodell to banish a player permanently for repeated offenses and punish a team for misbehavior by its employees.

"We have long had policies and programs designed to encourage responsible behavior, and this policy is a further step in ensuring that everyone who is part of the NFL meets that standard," Goodell said in a written statement issued by the league. "We will continue to review the policy and modify it as warranted."

The issue became a priority for the NFL after at least 35 players were arrested in the first 11 1/2 months of last year, bringing waves of negative publicity for the country's most popular sport and making the game's leaders wary that sponsors and business partners could look for other places to spend their money. The trend of off-field misconduct has continued since, with approximately 15 more arrests.

Jones, 23, has been arrested or cited by police for assault, vandalism, marijuana possession, obstructing police, disorderly conduct and public intoxication in a series of incidents since he was drafted two years ago. Henry, also 23, has been arrested on gun, drug and drunk driving charges over the same period.

Goodell pledged to act but first sought the input of franchise owners, coaches, players and NFL Players Association chief Gene Upshaw. "We believe that these are steps that the commissioner needs to take and we support the policy," Upshaw said in a written statement yesterday. "It is important that players in violation of the policy will have the opportunity and the support to change their conduct and earn their way back."

Goodell already had the power as commissioner to punish players for off-field misconduct. But no player previously had been suspended for longer than four games; Goodell and Upshaw wanted to craft a new policy that had the players' support and gave Goodell a set of guidelines under which to deal with offenders.

Jones and Henry were suspended without pay, costing Jones his $1.29 million salary for next season and Henry about half of his $435,000 salary. Both must apply for reinstatement, the league said, and Goodell threatened to impose a lifetime ban on either player for further misconduct.

"I must emphasize to you that this is your last opportunity to salvage your NFL career," Goodell wrote in a letter delivered to each player. "I urge you to take full advantage of the resources available to support you in that effort."

Jones and Henry had separate hearings before Goodell eight days ago in New York. The same day, Goodell discussed the issue with Upshaw and a six-player advisory council.

Neither Jones nor Henry was available to comment yesterday. Jones's mother, Deborah Jones, told the Associated Press that her son's suspension was "just not fair."

Titans and Bengals officials expressed support for Goodell's action. Titans owner Bud Adams said in a written statement that the team appreciated and respected Goodell's "thoughtful decision," adding that the club must receive assurances from Jones "on a number of issues" before allowing him to return.

"Until we see a change in behavior through his actions and until he shows the ability to avoid controversy off the field, we will move forward with the possibility that he may not return to this team," Adams said .

Jones has spoken to police in 10 separate incidents since the Titans selected him in the first round of the NFL draft in April 2005. He has not been convicted of charges stemming from any of the incidents. He is facing possible felony and misdemeanor charges stemming from a brawl at a strip club in Las Vegas on Feb. 19 during the National Basketball Association's All-Star Weekend.

Henry was arrested four times in a span of 14 months and was suspended for two games by the league last season under the personal conduct and substance abuse policies. Last September, he was placed on probation after pleading guilty to a concealed weapon charge. In January, he pleaded guilty to providing alcohol to minors and was jailed for two days. He also pleaded guilty to a reduced charge in a drunk driving case.

"We support the commissioner's ruling, and while we regret the circumstances that called for it, it's good for both Chris and the Bengals to have the matter resolved," Bengals Coach Marvin Lewis said in a written statement. "Our team will move forward, and now it is up to Chris to acquire a more mature understanding of his responsibilities as a player for the Bengals and a representative of the NFL."

Jones's playing status is to be reviewed after the Titans' 10th game next season and his suspension could be adjusted at that point, the league said. He is barred from the Titans' headquarters through the end of May, and can visit once per week after that to meet with the team's player development director and participate in conditioning and film study. To be reinstated, the league said, he must have "no further adverse involvement with law enforcement" and must cooperate with all required counseling and education programs.

Henry was given similar conditions for reinstatement, but he can participate in offseason practices, training camp and preseason games. He cannot participate in regular season practices while suspended.

The four-page conduct policy says that any employee of the league or a team can be disciplined without being convicted of a crime. Employees, the policy says, are subject to being disciplined for criminal offenses; any violent or threatening behavior toward another employee; possession of a gun or other weapon in any workplace setting; or any conduct that puts another person in danger or tarnishes the league's reputation. A first-time offender must undergo a formal clinical evaluation and perhaps counseling but generally will not face discipline, the policy says. A repeat offender is subject to a fine, suspension, or banishment from the league by the commissioner and might have to apply for reinstatement. A player can appeal a punishment to the commissioner.

The league announced that teams also can be disciplined. It did not specify how, but Goodell said at last month's annual league meeting that punishment could come in the form of a fine or the loss of draft picks. The new policy also contains provisions bolstering education and support programs for players.