ARTICLE: NFL Code of Conduct Policy & Other Things from Commissioner Goodell

[sago1]

Code of conduct policy could snag Vick

By CHAREAN WILLIAMS
Star-Telegram Staff Writer


NASHVILLE -- Michael Vick could be punished under Roger Goodell's code of conduct policy if the Atlanta Falcons quarterback is found to be involved in dog fighting.

"We are following it very closely," Goodell said Tuesday. "I met with Michael at the draft. I am very concerned about the issues revolving around Michael. He knows that. He's pledged to me he's going to make changes in his life to address those. So we'll continue to monitor it."

Vick has been under investigation since April 25, when police in Surry County, Va., seized malnourished and injured dogs as well as items associated with dog fighting from property owned by Vick. No charges have been filed.

U.S. Rep. Tom Lantos (D-Calif.) sent a letter to Goodell on Friday, calling for the commissioner to "act swiftly and forcefully" if Vick is found to be involved.

"I do share his concern," Goodell said. "On the other hand, I want to make sure we understand the facts before we make any decision on this, and the facts are still unclear."

Goodell already has punished Titans cornerback Pacman Jones and Bengals receiver Chris Henry. Jones appealed his yearlong suspension in a hearing May 11. Goodell said a decision is not expected this week.

But Tank Johnson's case might be decided sooner. The Chicago Bears defensive tackle met with the commissioner last week after a two-month jail stint for violating probation.

Concussions a concern

The NFL announced Tuesday that it will establish a "whistle blower" system designed to protect players who report doctors or coaches pressuring them to play with concussions.

In addition, the medical staffs from all 32 teams have been called to a June 19 concussions summit in Chicago, and all players will undergo neuropsychological baseline testing, beginning this season.

"I have emphasized for several months now the importance of medical decisions overriding any competitive decisions," Roger Goodell said. "I think that's critical."

Other news

In their one-day meeting, NFL owners also heard the competition committee's suggestions for the draft. Roger Goodell is considering shortening the time it takes to complete the first and second rounds. He also could turn the first round into a prime-time event.

Goodell, who does not need owner approval, said he expects to make an announcement on the 2008 draft this fall.

Goodell also announced that the league has formed an alliance with the players union, the NFL Retired Players Association, the NFL Alumni Association, NFL Charities and the Pro Football Hall of Fame to coordinate medical support services for former players in need.

"What we're trying to do with the alliance is make sure we pool our resources and pool our efforts to make sure we're being responsible in this area," Goodell said.


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Sure will be interesting to find out what the Commissioner will do once the facts surrounging Vick's possible dogfighting involvement. It could break down into 3 areas: Vick had no knowledge/involvement at all, Vick aware dogfighting was going on but wasn't otherwise involved, or Vick himself know about it & fully participated/attended the activities. High profile football players are totally different arena then guys like Pacman, etc.

I posted the article for another reason and that's Goodell getting several NFL entities together to help deal with the medical problems former/retired NFL players are enduring. Frankly, I think it is appalling that the NFLPA isn't doing more to help those players whose past contributions made the game the star event it is.

 

[burmafrd]

You really cannot put it all on the Players Association: if the rank and file did not push for it, it does not happen. There was no serious pressure from them.

 

[Doomsday101]

The NFL announced Tuesday that it will establish a "whistle blower" system designed to protect players who report doctors or coaches pressuring them to play with concussions.

In addition, the medical staffs from all 32 teams have been called to a June 19 concussions summit in Chicago, and all players will undergo neuropsychological baseline testing, beginning this season.

"I have emphasized for several months now the importance of medical decisions overriding any competitive decisions," Roger Goodell said. "I think that's critical."


I guess we can call this the Belichick Rule. :laugh2:

 

[notherbob]

You really cannot put it all on the Players Association: if the rank and file did not push for it, it does not happen. There was no serious pressure from them.

I guess we really could not expect anything more from the "ME" generation. Of course if things do not go well for them in the future, I think we can expect a lot of complaining and demanding, because, after all, life is ultimately all about "me" and nobody else. (sarcasm)

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

I posted this in another thread earlier but if what is being reported is true, the NFL might be the least of Vick's worries.

Try racketeering, illegal gaming/gambling and probably tax evasion. You can throw in the fact that it's probably happening across state lines so it's definatly a federal deal. If I recall, there is at least one Senator hound dogging this already. This may be much more costly then just the NFL for Vick if it proves to be true.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

I posted this in another thread earlier but if what is being reported is true, the NFL might be the least of Vick's worries.

Try racketeering, illegal gaming/gambling and probably tax evasion. You can throw in the fact that it's probably happening across state lines so it's definatly a federal deal. If I recall, there is at least one Senator hound dogging this already. This may be much more costly then just the NFL for Vick if it proves to be true.

Based on what evidence? Dear lord do any of you actually look at the facts or do you just see dogfight and vick and then start coming up with outlandish scenarios.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Based on what evidence? Dear lord do any of you actually look at the facts or do you just see dogfight and vick and then start coming up with outlandish scenarios.

I imagine we probably look at the facts about as well as you read.

Clearly, in my original post, I used the preface "if" as in if what is being reported is true and "might" as in the NFL might be the least of his worries.

If what is being reported is true then you have Vick gambling and promoting gaming activities in an unsanctioned event (not to mention against the law). You have racketeering based on the fact that he is raising these dogs for illegal activities (dog fighting) and I doubt any money won in these types of activities are reported as income so you have tax evasion. It's also likely that it's going on in different states so you have laws being broken across state lines which makes it a job for the FBI as opposed to local law inforcement. Now, hopefully, this clear it up a bit.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

I imagine we probably look at the facts about as well as you read.

Clearly, in my original post, I used the preface "if" as in if what is being reported is true and "might" as in the NFL might be the least of his worries.

If what is being reported is true then you have Vick gambling and promoting gaming activities in an unsanctioned event (not to mention against the law). You have racketeering based on the fact that he is raising these dogs for illegal activities (dog fighting) and I doubt any money won in these types of activities are reported as income so you have tax evasion. It's also likely that it's going on in different states so you have laws being broken across state lines which makes it a job for the FBI as opposed to local law inforcement. Now, hopefully, this clear it up a bit.

there is a single witness saying he bet on dogs. that isnt enough. if anything he gets on the stand says he didnt bet on dogs and pleads the fifth.

there is zero evidence that any dog vick owns was used in dogfighting.

the tax evasion thing is a stretch.

although i will admit that i didnt see the whole thing from the builder. like i said that means he was probably aware but it is one thing to be aware of illegal activity and another to actually be involved.

 

[iceberg]

Based on what evidence? Dear lord do any of you actually look at the facts or do you just see dogfight and vick and then start coming up with outlandish scenarios.

i like this quote fuzzbucket:

"We are following it very closely," Goodell said Tuesday. "I met with Michael at the draft. I am very concerned about the issues revolving around Michael. He knows that. He's pledged to me he's going to make changes in his life to address those. So we'll continue to monitor it."

hmmmm....but he's innocent and *never* goes out there (despite telling a friend of mine who was his publicist he spends his entire off-season out there playing video games) - so if he never goes out there and isn't doing anything wrong - what changes does he have to make in "his" life?

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

I guess we really could not expect anything more from the "ME" generation. Of course if things do not go well for them in the future, I think we can expect a lot of complaining and demanding, because, after all, life is ultimately all about "me" and nobody else. (sarcasm)

Its amusing that the post WW2 generation would call my generation the ME generation. If you look at the acts of the post ww2 generation in the late 60s to early 70s it seems to be quite a bit of selfish indulgence and then when you look at that generations entrance into the power structure in the 80s and the acts then it gets even worse.

But were the selfish ones. im actually aware of all the debt that the postww2 generation is leaving us. yeah were real selfish.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

i like this quote fuzzbucket:

"We are following it very closely," Goodell said Tuesday. "I met with Michael at the draft. I am very concerned about the issues revolving around Michael. He knows that. He's pledged to me he's going to make changes in his life to address those. So we'll continue to monitor it."

hmmmm....but he's innocent and *never* goes out there (despite telling a friend of mine who was his publicist he spends his entire off-season out there playing video games) - so if he never goes out there and isn't doing anything wrong - what changes does he have to make in "his" life?

i never said he was innocent. i simply said that i didnt see enough evidence to prove his guilt. there is a big difference. i take the stance that it would be irresponsible to villify himn with the limited knowledge.

but youre telling me that a friend of your friend heard that he goes to that house in the offseason. Whoopety doo.

 

[iceberg]

i never said he was innocent. i simply said that i didnt see enough evidence to prove his guilt. there is a big difference. i take the stance that it would be irresponsible to villify himn with the limited knowledge.

but youre telling me that a friend of your friend heard that he goes to that house in the offseason. Whoopety doo.

no - i'm saying he told his PR agent he goes to the house in the off-season and plays video games all year cause he doesn't like hanging around people.

yet when the story "breaks" he's suddenly never there *at all*.

and back to my friend, his PR agent, to talk about what they can do now - yet for some reason a lot more...uh...open to suggestion?

i won't agree or disagree on the evidence as it's premature either way. i blame NO ONE for thinking i'm full of it - with this "friend of a friend" talk - and even that isn't evidence and yes, weak in a court of law.

but it still smells like caca.