Did Henderson help Zeke?

[robjay04]

Most of us rightfully believed that the NFL was purposely dragging their legs on the Zeke appeal since their whole case last night was based around the lack of appeal results.

Does anyone else find it ironic that the decision leaked during the hearing effectively wiping out the NFL's entire argument while court was still in session? Legally speaking---wouldn't the NFL been better off if this information leaked today instead of 8PM EST the night of the trial?

If the information leaked today, the NFL's argument would have been valid that Zeke did not wait for the appeal process to complete before the seeking further litigation...the fact that it leaked during the trial at an odd time is ironic to me. I am not a lawyer but the timing could've been better. After all...Henderson's reasoning was petty short and basic and he even admitted to not looking at all the evidence.

Maybe Henderson or someone in the NFL office purposely leaked this information to Mort while then trial was in session to hurt the NFL's entire argument.

 

[ActualCowboysFan]

No. If he wanted to help Zeke he could have done his job. His decision exposed the entire appeal process as completely meaningless.

 

[Silver Surfer]

In determining whether to attribute someone's actions to intelligence or stupidity, its safer to pick the latter.

 

[big dog cowboy]

No. If he wanted to help Zeke he could have done his job. His decision exposed the entire appeal process as completely meaningless.

Perfect summation.

 

[Bleedblue1111]

I don't think so. The report I read, said the Judge was grilling NFL about their play/suspension deadline for the week, then all the sudden Zekes lawyer recieved an alert on his blackberry informing him of Henderson's ruling.

 

[ActualCowboysFan]

I don't think so. The report I read, said the Judge was grilling NFL about their play/suspension deadline for the week, then all the sudden Zekes lawyer recieved an alert on his blackberry informing him of Henderson's ruling.

The freaking lawyer for the NFL hemming and hawing about Week one was named in Henderson's decision. The idea he didn't know is laughable. Dollars to donuts he wrote the thing.

 

[jwitten82]

If im Jerry, I invite him to one more party and then bust Henderson in the mouth. After that, no more invites

 

[jazzcat22]

If I read it right...so someone leaks this from the NFL to damage it's own case? Maybe if so, they know they screwed up, or screwed up on purpose. So they say hey look, we tried to get a DV case, but the screw ups, made it get overturned.
So instead of doing the right thing and getting the backlash from pro DV people. They screw up a top players life to try to make it look good.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

I guess I just have a really difficult time understanding the bitterness towards the NFL. I mean, the process is one sided to be sure. However, the players knew all of this when they voted for the new CBA. The NFLPA allowed them to do this so it's really the fault of the players and the NFLPA IMO. I remember discussing this when the CBA was signed. Now the NFL is the problem and the Commissioner is the problem. Well, this is the deal they signed up for. How do you fault the NFL for using the power the players voted to give them and the power they, basically, bought and paid for? If it were me, I would take advantage of every benefit any given contract provided for me. I think that most people would. sucks for the players but honestly, they were just interested in the money.

I don't understand why fans don't have more outrage over the Players or the NFLPA.

 

[robjay04]

I guess I just have a really difficult time understanding the bitterness towards the NFL. I mean, the process is one sided to be sure. However, the players knew all of this when they voted for the new CBA. The NFLPA allowed them to do this so it's really the fault of the players and the NFLPA IMO. I remember discussing this when the CBA was signed. Now the NFL is the problem and the Commissioner is the problem. Well, this is the deal they signed up for. How do you fault the NFL for using the power the players voted to give them and the power they, basically, bought and paid for? If it were me, I would take advantage of every benefit any given contract provided for me. I think that most people would. sucks for the players but honestly, they were just interested in the money.

I don't understand why fans don't have more outrage over the Players or the NFLPA.

It's my understanding that after the Ray Rice fiasco, the league made changes and turned down the NFLPA input.

I just read that the other day so it could be wrong...but that could explain a lot.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

It's my understanding that after the Ray Rice fiasco, the league made changes and turned down the NFLPA input.

I just read that the other day so it could be wrong...but that could explain a lot.

I would have to understand what the NFLPA suggested but honestly, I probably would not follow those recommendations either, if they were in favor of the players. The Owners are always going to create policy they think will help the shield because that translates into money in their pockets. JMO

 

[Cowboys22]

I guess I just have a really difficult time understanding the bitterness towards the NFL. I mean, the process is one sided to be sure. However, the players knew all of this when they voted for the new CBA. The NFLPA allowed them to do this so it's really the fault of the players and the NFLPA IMO. I remember discussing this when the CBA was signed. Now the NFL is the problem and the Commissioner is the problem. Well, this is the deal they signed up for. How do you fault the NFL for using the power the players voted to give them and the power they, basically, bought and paid for? If it were me, I would take advantage of every benefit any given contract provided for me. I think that most people would. sucks for the players but honestly, they were just interested in the money.

I don't understand why fans don't have more outrage over the Players or the NFLPA.

They did not know that the Commissioner was going to go so far against the players like he has. Who would have ever thought that the league would become so openly hostile to its star players and for what reason? To appease the far left activist whackos they are surrounded by in NY? No one could see how unfair of a discipline process Goodell would enact and he has done it all because of the heat he took over botching the ray rice case.

 

[Miller]

He helped him by being incompetent. Agree with this tweet chain because, as someone mentioned in the comments, the judge was told the decision would include issues of "fundamental fairness"

 

[Tenkamenin]

I guess I just have a really difficult time understanding the bitterness towards the NFL. I mean, the process is one sided to be sure. However, the players knew all of this when they voted for the new CBA. The NFLPA allowed them to do this so it's really the fault of the players and the NFLPA IMO. I remember discussing this when the CBA was signed. Now the NFL is the problem and the Commissioner is the problem. Well, this is the deal they signed up for. How do you fault the NFL for using the power the players voted to give them and the power they, basically, bought and paid for? If it were me, I would take advantage of every benefit any given contract provided for me. I think that most people would. sucks for the players but honestly, they were just interested in the money.

I don't understand why fans don't have more outrage over the Players or the NFLPA.

Zeke's reputation is on the line, and it doesn't sound like the NFL handled the investigation properly, so yes, the bitterness is justified.

 

[HankC]

But the DV policy change without NFLPA concurrence strengthens the NFLPA's case in the appeal very considerably. It may not be enough to overturn the suspension but without it there was almost no chance at all.

 

[ABQcowboyJR]

I guess I just have a really difficult time understanding the bitterness towards the NFL. I mean, the process is one sided to be sure. However, the players knew all of this when they voted for the new CBA. The NFLPA allowed them to do this so it's really the fault of the players and the NFLPA IMO. I remember discussing this when the CBA was signed. Now the NFL is the problem and the Commissioner is the problem. Well, this is the deal they signed up for. How do you fault the NFL for using the power the players voted to give them and the power they, basically, bought and paid for? If it were me, I would take advantage of every benefit any given contract provided for me. I think that most people would. sucks for the players but honestly, they were just interested in the money.

I don't understand why fans don't have more outrage over the Players or the NFLPA.

I think it simply boils down to the more dedicated fan, the entire board here, hates that the NFL is trying to be a judicial entity.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

They did not know that the Commissioner was going to go so far against the players like he has. Who would have ever thought that the league would become so openly hostile to its star players and for what reason? To appease the far left activist whackos they are surrounded by in NY? No one could see how unfair of a discipline process Goodell would enact and he has done it all because of the heat he took over botching the ray rice case.

How did they not know? I mean, when it was discussed on this board, we knew that the agreement basically gave the Commissioner virtually unlimited power, in terms of judgements etc. I find it very difficult to believe that the players didn't know this. But, for the sake of discussion, lets say that they didn't know. Isn't that the fault of the NFLPA? I mean, that's the only reason the NFLPA is there, to explain what legalities mean for the players and to advise and protect them from poor decisions. Either way, I see no way you can fault the NFL here. They paid dearly for this power.

 

[BlindFaith]

I guess I just have a really difficult time understanding the bitterness towards the NFL. I mean, the process is one sided to be sure. However, the players knew all of this when they voted for the new CBA. The NFLPA allowed them to do this so it's really the fault of the players and the NFLPA IMO. I remember discussing this when the CBA was signed. Now the NFL is the problem and the Commissioner is the problem. Well, this is the deal they signed up for. How do you fault the NFL for using the power the players voted to give them and the power they, basically, bought and paid for? If it were me, I would take advantage of every benefit any given contract provided for me. I think that most people would. sucks for the players but honestly, they were just interested in the money.

I don't understand why fans don't have more outrage over the Players or the NFLPA.

The expectation was the the NFL would review these cases under good faith and a comprehensive evaluation of the facts.

Zeke was not charged and certainly not convicted of anything. The evidence is lacking and the accuser is a liar. But the NFL still found him guilty.

What is to prevent the NFL from suspending anyone for anything at this point? Say someone is pulled over for speeding. They have been drinking but are not legally intoxicated. The NFL could easily suspend the player x number of games simply because they want to. The rule of law should prevail. If that was the understanding of the NFLPA at the time the agreement was signed, then they have a right to be upset.

Thats why this needs to be stopped and stopped now. Yes, the process was not fair. But the ruling was not fair either. If a person is not found guilty in a court of law for any criminal offense, they should not be subject to suspension by the league. Period.

Now there could still be discretionary suspensions handed out for detrimental conduct. Zeke pulling down the girls top could certainly fall into that category. I would have had no problem with them suspending him a game for that. But they also have to be consistent with all players and all similar conduct. I don't care if she thought it was ok or not. Its not something that looks good for the league and not a message they want to endorse.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

But the DV policy change without NFLPA concurrence strengthens the NFLPA's case in the appeal very considerably. It may not be enough to overturn the suspension but without it there was almost no chance at all.

That may be but according to the terms of the CBA, the NFLPA doesn't have to agree. The League has the authority to do this. I think that a lot of people thought that this might be what happened. It was discussed here. I mean, a lot of people pointed this out and what it could and probably would mean, down the line. I honestly don't know how you wouldn't expect it. At the time, the NFL was dealing with players killing people, all kinds of abuse situations, DWI and substance abuse issues and the Press basically nailing them to the wall for not taking an aggressive enough on these issues. Honestly, a person would have to be blind to not expect it IMO. The NFL was very, very concerned about the image of the league, at the time. That is why they basically gave up so much profit, in exchange for the power. JMO

 

[Cowboys22]

He helped him by being incompetent. Agree with this tweet chain because, as someone mentioned in the comments, the judge was told the decision would include issues of "fundamental fairness"

I think not letting Zeke's lawyers have access to the interview notes is the issue that goes to fundamental unfairness. Not having TT there isn't as big an issue because I don't theink the NFL can compel her to come and face Zeke but not letting his lawyers examine the notes and then ask questions based on those notes goes right to the fairness issue. Add in the way they excluded Robert's views and there is a strong case for Zeke to make. He has the best chance yet to prevail.