Chick Ludwig covers the Cincinnati Bengals. He also writes about his other passions: college football, basketball and golf.Home > Blogs > Chick Ludwig At Large > Archives > 2008 > April > 30 > Entry
Holding NFL accountable for ‘problem’ players
SHOULD ‘BAD ACTORS’ BE ALLOWED TO INVADE NEW CITIES?
Now that the NFL draft is complete, a whole new crop of players are headed to new cities.
Some of the players have questionable character, shady backgrounds and plenty of “baggage” or “luggage” in the form of brushes with the law.
The question is: Should the league be responsible, liable or — at the very least — held accountable if a problem player terrorizes his new city?
What’s more, should players with arrest records be certified or registered as potential risks to their new cities?
A man on the street, John F. Robinson, broached this interesting subject in an E-mail to me titled, “The NFL and Corporate Responsibility.”
It makes so-o-o much sense — in light of ex-Bengal Chris Henry’s numerous arrests from 2005-2008 — that I feel compelled to share it with NFL fans on “Ludwig At Large.”
Here’s to you, Mr. Robinson:
In his words:
“I would hope that (Bengals president) Mike Brown, (head coach) Marvin Lewis and the NFL understand the concept of “Corporate Responsibility.”
“I consider each NFL team a mini-corporation and every year these teams bring players into their area who in most cases would not ever consider coming to these areas except for the fact that they can find employment with an NFL team. The problem arises when these player have displayed in the past socially risky behavior that poses a threat to the health, safety and well-being of the citizens of the new area where they come into.
“I believe in redemption. However, part of that redemption must be that problem players must be certified by a professional treatment facility for their past problem behavior that they are capable of entering an area without endangering the health, safety and well-being of the law-abiding citizens who are currently living in that area. Thus, no team would be able to draft or otherwise bring a player into their area without first meeting this standard.
“I just hope and pray that no problem player with the apparent loose standards that are now in place by the NFL comes into an area and seriously injures or kills an innocent resident of that area.”
I’d love to hear from readers about how they feel on this subject.
Let the debate begin …
Permalink | Comments (4) | Post your comment | Categories: NFL
Comments
By Doug
April 30, 2008 11:20 AM | Link to this
Absolutely stupid idea. What if the same person decided to move here for any other reason, they wouldn’t have this nanny state type of attention. Why do you single out an NFL team? Why not any Corporation that brings in employees to an area? NFL players aren’t going around killing people. Gosh, talk about fear mongering.By Dave
April 30, 2008 11:29 AM | Link to this
Doug, I suspect the difference is that NFL “badboys” are paid millions of dollars to come to a given city rather than stay where they are. That’s a pretty strong incentive the NFL is giving them.By null
April 30, 2008 11:49 AM | Link to this
Do you hold the McDonalds down the street responsible when one of their employees does something against the law during their off-hours; the employee being new to the area? Case closed.By Ft. Myers Foursome
May 1, 2008 12:46 AM | Link to this
How about holding the athlete responsible? Suspend, suspend longer, and ban. Three strikes and you’re out. It’s also time to hold the athlete responsible for fulfilling his contract. Playing in the NFL is a privilege, not a right. It’s time to let the Owens and Ocho Stinco’s of the NFL sit and see what life is like in the real world.