What is the deal with this gestapo arm of the NFL?
No charges filled. No arrests made. Criminal case closed.
But here comes the federal bureau of the NFL to request videos and investigate. Seriously?
I thought their business was football?
Meanwhile Robert Kraft still owns a franchise.
NFL investigations should never surprise anyone at any time.
https://webcache.***BROKEN***/searc...ap3000000828506.pdf+&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us
NFL Personal Conduct Policy
Blah blah blah.
Everyone who is part of the league must refrain from “conduct detrimental to the integrity of and public confidence in” the NFL. blah blah blah times a million more pages.
What does this mean in my opinion?
1. For players: it means those who say or do or are accused of
anything that can be interpreted in the slightest negative way will most likely be investigated. Exceptions will be made for those players whom the league believes it can weather negative public perception.
2. For owners: it means those who say or do or are accused of
anything that can be interpreted in the slightest negative way will not be investigated if-and-until their real or implied involvement has reached a level that makes the majority or certain other owners nervous in how the public's interpretation.
3. Investigations vary for anyone else associated with the league.
Investigations are conducted or not conducted to 'verify' real or falsely accused behavior. They are public relation mechanisms that the league believes will minimize or negate ill-will among all or certain aspects of its consumer base. The league will not investigate its owners unless the threat of outside enforced oversight develops into a real threat towards its internal independent control.
How does anyone avoid being investigated?
Simple.
- Do not get caught.
- Do not visit real world or social media venues where their words or actions can be recorded.
- Do not act or speak in a fashion that will be interpreted by someone else as atypical of accepted norms.
- Avoid others who will take advantage of their fame, notoriety and/or wealth.
Can every player, etc., prevent investigations while following all of the above? Nope. No way in hell. Most do though. The league will change the reasoning (and policy) behind conducting investigations when most players (in particular) say enough is enough. Personally, I do not think the majority of players care enough to make it an issue for change. The next CBA negotiations will prove how the majority actually feels.