News: NFL Network suspends Brian Baldinger for suggesting bounty on Zeke

[CalPolyTechnique]

Wow, pretty shocked.

I haven't heard the actual audio though.

 

[Jenky]

Six months is harsh but they should have never hired the guy.

Why? They suspended Greg Williams indefinitely..

 

[theebs]

Why? They suspended Greg Williams indefinitely..

he is a coach. Baldinger was on a half *** terrible radio show.

 

[gimmesix]

Maybe the soft part of society is the one who wants to let everyone off with a slap on the wrist when they choose to do or say something really stupid.


Don't get me wrong I think it's pretty rough that they went that hard at him but oh well. If you are going to open your mouth and say something stupid then be prepared for the consequences of saying something that stupid.

I think we're too easily offended. All Baldinger did was say some meaningless words. It's not like he put a bounty on Elliott or did something illegal. The NFL Network should have said it does not condone suggesting that a bounty be put on a player and left it at that.

What Baldinger said bothers me less than the rumors that get spread by so-called media without any factual basis. At least his comment was simply his opinion, as stupid as it was. This suspension just shows what a hypersensitive society we live in.

 

[Direwolf63]

nope. But what baldinger did on the radio had nothing to do with his TV work.

Oh yes it does. He works for them.

 

[CowboyStar88]

I think with "bounty" stuff being highly illegal the NFLN didn't find it in good taste. I am sure they would' done the same if he said somethings about drugs or DV. Nobody wants to be associated with those type of remarks.

 

[Doomsday]

So he deserves to be suspended without pay for 6 months for a stupid comment?

Yea, it is better than being fired and it isn't like he is living pay check to pay check

 

[SweetRevenge]

nope. But what baldinger did on the radio had nothing to do with his TV work.

Doesnt matter. He works for the nfl therefore represents them. The beat dallas or die is a figure of speech whereas baldinger was talking about putting a bounty on a specific player. Baldinger shouldnt have said that plain and simple.

 

[Jenky]

he is a coach. Baldinger was on a half *** terrible radio show.

I'd have to hear context. A bounty on someone back in the Greg Williams days meant that you'd be rewarded with monetary incentive for taking out or injuring another player.

I know this was on some small talk show, but he's in an industry where you have to monitor what you say and his parent employer wants no part of that.

 

[Risen Star]

Had to do it. The league has to protect its own backside when it comes to player safety. He's lucky he wasn't fired.

I figured since I reported it they'd take action.

 

[CalPolyTechnique]

I think we're too easily offended. All Baldinger did was say some meaningless words. It's not like he put a bounty on Elliott or did something illegal. The NFL Network should have said it does not condone suggesting that a bounty be put on a player and left it at that.

What Baldinger said bothers me less than the rumors that get spread by so-called media without any factual basis. At least his comment was simply his opinion, as stupid as it was. This suspension just shows what a hypersensitive society we live in.

Yeah, that's kind of bizarre thinking to be arguing FOR the thought police and act like that's not in itself being a "soft society." I haven't heard it, but I'm sure it was done tongue-in-cheek.

 

[lkelly]

Expecting accountability is not being soft.

Being a member of the media, especially as an employee of the league's media arm, carries some responsibility when it comes to on-air behavior. Had he uttered a racial remark (well, something other than saying the name of the team in Washington) there would likely have been severe punishment. It comes with the job most of the time and I'm sure his employers were clear on that via training and contract language.

Finally, you can count on the fact that this was done for a reason. The league has its ears perked up for liability concerns in the last few years following the concussion debacle. If a player decides to sue down the road after what appears to be an intentional injury, you can bet that his lawyers would consider using statements by a league employee suggesting such tactics as evidence.

Baldinger's probably not happy, but he's also either very dumb or just learned a good lesson about his current profession. I'm fairly confident he will be able to put food on the table. He's welcome to get another job to supplement his income in the interim. Perhaps he can go to work for any number of Philly media outlets or blog sites and keep up the angry bounty rhetoric. He'd be popular.

 

[Cowboys22]

nope. But what baldinger did on the radio had nothing to do with his TV work.

Sure it does. When you are an on air talent, everything you do in public has to do with your reputation and thus your job on TV. When he isn't on the NFL Network, do you think they would be okay if he gave hate speeches at KKK rallies dressed in the full attire? Could he join a 1%er motorcycle gang as long as he showed up for his spots? Could he start staring in adult films and keep his job?

 

[The Quest for Six]

PC police at it again.....

 

[slomoxn]

Considering owners want to add more games, the concussion protocol, and the recent bounty gate of New Orleans plus problems with the patriots cheating over the years; being sued by families of players for past injuries and post traumatic stress (whatever its called) from head hits and concussions and injuries he said one of the stupidest things he could have. Even more so he is supposedly in character saying basically take a cheap shot at a running back already being hit 100 times a game and now youre telling someone to try to hurt him. Worse at the end of the game someone hit him in a play he wasn't even really a part of.

 

[LandryFan]

Yea, it is better than being fired and it isn't like he is living pay check to pay check

Just in case, maybe he can file for unemployment...not sure.

 

[T-RO]

So he deserves to be suspended without pay for 6 months for a stupid comment?

Even if you limit this to PR and legal ramifications for the league...this was probably as modest a penalty as the league could do.

NFLPA lawyers can run miles with this...an official NFL employee celebrating Romo's injury and encouraging the injury of Elliott.

Doesn't matter at all if it was "tongue in cheek" It certainly wouldn't be received as just a joke by some players and by many fans.

 

[Risen Star]

The people sticking up for Baldinger do so at their own ignorance. The league's not about to go to court in the future and allow this situation into evidence. Hey, we're serious about player safety. Really? Then why did you allow one of your own employees advocate a bounty on a player without any repercussions?

No lawyer on the planet would advise the NFL to let this slide. He could have easily been fired. 6 months is plenty of time to get that pinky fixed and rehabbed. It's win/win.

 

[LandryFan]

I'd have to hear context. A bounty on someone back in the Greg Williams days meant that you'd be rewarded with monetary incentive for taking out or injuring another player.

I know this was on some small talk show, but he's in an industry where you have to monitor what you say and his parent employer wants no part of that.

I guess another way to look at it is: What if an eagle player had taken Elliott out (even though it would very likely have had nothing to do with Baldinger)? I can just hear the fans howling now. He really should have thought more about what he was going to say before he actually said it.

 

[Risen Star]

I feel like I took him down.

Another chapter in the book.