A disturbing trend, NFL team cuts players after arrest, apperantly trials mean nothing.

[RB TexLa]

Why wait to see if the person is guilty or not?



CINCINNATI (AP)—Running back Quincy Wilson has been waived by the Cincinnati Bengals.

It is the second time in the past five days the Bengals released a player who had been arrested.

The second-year running back from West Virginia was arrested last June 17 in Huntington, W.Va., and charged with disorderly conduct for failing to disperse after a weekend wedding party. The Bengals waived him Monday.

Wilson was the 10th Bengals player arrested in a 14-month span.

The Bengals recently released receiver Chris Henry, another former West Virginia star, after he was arrested last week on an assault charge, his fifth arrest while he was with the team.



http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ap-bengals-wilson&prov=ap&type=lgns

[Yael]

1. A lot of them have morality/legality clauses in their contracts

Because they are highly paid and considered role models.

[RB TexLa]

2. They need to get past that shit, just score.

:)

[Yael]

19. Most affected by this have records from their college days

The teams make them sign the clauses as a condition of their signing bonuses.

I can't remember the guy's name a few years back (Lawrence Phillips maybe?) that every scout wanted and every coach was scared to death to add. Classic case.

[XOKCowboy]

3. Maybe it was a 5 and out clause?

Of course it also depends on his value to the team also. If a promising young rookie is his backup this could have been the last straw.

[Yael]

20. Exactly -- and don't forget caps

Fastest way to find yourself without a contract.

The teams simply don't want/need the drama. The players being drama queens is enough of a headache. Problem children need not apply.

(TO comes to mind and I hope Dallas is happy with him)

[depakid]

4. Sentence first, trial later!

~Queen of Hearts.

[PeaceNikki]

5. Losing your job a "sentence"

They have morality clauses in their contracts.

[depakid]

9. So, any old trumped up charge violates the contract?

and, yes -I think reasonable people would agree that losing one's job is equivalent to a sentence....

[PeaceNikki]

13. No. Us "reasonable people" see a very large separation

between any "punishment" imposed by our employer vs. criminal sentencing.

I don't know the details of the contracts, nor what is considered a "trumped up charge" vs a valid criminal investigation. Private employers have a right to determine what is included in a morality clause and what constitutes violation.

[depakid]

22. Doesn't sound very reasonable to me

You're actually saying that losing one's livelihood isn't a punishment (i.e. a sentence?).

It also sounds like you're willing to relegate written contracts to "at will" employment, which of course is an invitation to discriminate and denigrate due process.

Same would be true in any field.

[PeaceNikki]

25. I am saying it IS a punishment - not a sentence. Big difference.

Those athletes are free to find employment elsewhere.

The athlete breeched a contract that includes a morals clause.

[depakid]

43. Perhaps you can eloborate

because I don't see much difference,

[cloudbase]

6. I don't find it all that disturbing.

That's life in the big leagues.

[PeaceNikki]

8. I think other professional sports organizations should do the same

Like maybe the NBA?

[RB TexLa]

11. Sure, if the police arrests someone, they're probably guilty, right?

[PeaceNikki]

16. Absolutely not. Losing your job is not the same as a guilty verdict.

I don't know the details of their contracts, but private employers have a right to determine what is included in a morality clause and what constitutes violation.

[Richard Steele]

People who TELL THEIR EMPLOYER THAT THEY'RE GUILTY are probably guilty.

And their employer, at that point, has every right to take their word
for it and respond appropriately.

You're digging for controversy where none exists.

[againes654]

28. Who in the NBA exactly are you refering to?

[PeaceNikki]

30. Gosh, I dunno, take your pick.

http://sports-law.blogspot.com/2005/07/nba-players-that-get-in-trouble-with_20.html

Here are just a few...

NAME
CHARGE
EDUCATION
AGE WHEN ARRESTED

SEASON IN NBA WHEN ARRESTED

Greg “Cadillac” Anderson
Possession of Cocaine and Intent to Distribute
4 Years of College
33
10th

Gilbert Arenas
Unlawful Possession of Firearm
2 Years of College
21
3rd

Darrell Armstrong
Battery of Female Police Officer
4 Years of College
35
10th

Ron Artest
Assault and Battery
2 Years of College
25
6th

Tony Battie
Battery of Police Officer
3 Years of College
23
2nd


Kobe Bryant
Sexual Assault
0 Years of College
24
7th

Jason Caffey
Assault Causing Bodily Harm
4 Years of College
30
8th

Sam Cassell
Assault Causing Bodily Harm
4 Years of College
33
11th


Derrick Coleman
Driving While Under the Influence
4 Years of College
35
13th

Tony Dumas
Assault on Pregnant Woman
4 Years of College
23
2nd

Richard Dumas
Crack Cocaine Possession
3 Years of College
29
3rd (was retired)

Dale Ellis (1)
Domestic-Violence Assault and Resisting Arrest
4 Years of College
29
7th

Dale Ellis (2)
Domestic-Violence Assault
4 Years of College
41
17th (was retired)

Marcus Fizer
Unlawful Possession of Firearm
3 Years of College
24
3rd

Joe Forte (1)
Marijuana Possession and Unlawful Possession of Firearm
2 Years of College
23
2nd

Joe Forte (2)
Driving While Under the Influence
2 Years of College
23
2nd

Gary Grant (1)
Assault, Battery, and Disorderly Conduct
4 Years of College
35
12th

Gary Grant (2)
Drunk Driving
4 Years of College
36
13th


Eddie Griffin (2)
Assault with a Deadly Weapon
1 Year of College
21
3rd

Darvin Ham
Battery of Wife
3 Years of College
28
5th

David Harrison
Assault and Battery
3 Years of College
22
1st

Alan Henderson
Unlawful Possession of Firearm
4 Years of College
32
11th

Dennis Hopson
Domestic Violence
4 Years of College
35
5th (was retired)


Allen Iverson (1)
Marijuana Possession and Unlawful Possession of Firearm
2 Years of College
22
2nd

Allen Iverson (2)
Assault
2 Years of College
27
7th

Stephen Jackson
Assault and Battery
1 Year of College
26
5th

Anthony Johnson
Assault and Battery
4 Years of College
30
8th

Dennis Johnson
Assault and Battery
4 Years of College
43
14th (was retired)

Shawn Kemp
Drug Possession and Unlawful Possession of Firearm
1 Year of College
35
14th (was retired)

Jason Kidd
Domestic Abuse
2 Years of College
27
7th

Voshon Lenard
Reckless Endangerment and Illegal Use of Firearm
4 Years of College
27
6th

Brad Lohaus
Domestic Assault and Felony Theft
4 Years of College
40
11th (was retired)

Sam Mack
Marijuana Possession
4 Years of College
29
6th

Anthony Mason
Battery on Police Officer
4 Years of College
33
10th

Vernon Maxwell (1)
Unlawful Possession of Firearm
4 Years of College
29
7th

Vernon Maxwell (2)
Drug Possession
4 Years of College
30
8th

Vernon Maxwell (3)
Failing to Pay Child Support
4 Years of College
34
12th

Roshown McLeod
Battery of Pregnant Woman
4 Years of College
24
2nd

Terrance Morris
Driving with a Suspended License
4 Years of College
23
1st

Tyrone Nesby
Battery
4 Years of College
26
4th

Michael Olowokandi (1)
Cohabitant Abuse, Robbery, and False Imprisonment
3 Years of College
26
4th

Jermaine O’Neal
Assault and Battery
0 Years of College
26
9th

Chris Porter
Marijuana Possession
4 Years of College
23
1st

Vitaly Potapenko
Disorderly Conduct
2 Years of College
24
4th

Ruben Patterson (1)
Assault
4 Years of College
25
2nd

Ruben Patterson (2)
Attempted Rape
4 Years of College
26
3rd

Ruben Patterson (3)
Assault of Spouse
4 Years of College
28
5th

Scottie Pippen
Battery of Woman
4 Years of College
29
8th

Olden Polynice (1)
Assault
3 Years of College
32
10th

Olden Polynice (2)
Impersonating a Police Officer and Disorderly Conduct
3 Years of College
36
13th

Olden Polynice (3)
Assault
3 Years of College
37
14th

Zach Randolph
Driving While Under the Influence
1 Year of College
22
3rd

Eldrige Recasner
Assault
4 Years of College
32
6th

Jason Richardson
Domestic Violence
2 Years of College
22
2nd


Glenn Robinson (2)
Battery and Unlawful Possession of Firearm
3 Years of College
29
8th

Dennis Rodman (1)
Battery
4 Years of College
38
14th

Dennis Rodman (2)
Obstruction of Justice
4 Years of College
41
14th (was retired)

Dwayne Schintzius
Driving While Under the Influence
4 Years of College
35
8th (was retired)

Charles Smith
Vehicular Homicide and Driving Under the Influence
4 Years of College
23
2nd

Leon Smith
Criminal Mischief
0 Years of College
19
1st

Michael Smith
Assault and Drunk Driving
4 Years of College
29
8th


Jerry Stackhouse
Assault
2 Years of College
28
8th

DeShawn Stevenson
Statutory Rape
0 Years of College
20
2nd

Rod Strickland (1)
Driving While Under the Influence
3 Years of College
31
10th

Rod Strickland (2)
Unlawful Entry
3 Years of College
33
12th

Kurt Thomas
Assault of Spouse
4 Years of College
29
7th

Robert Traylor
Receiving and Concealing Stolen Property
3 Years of College
23
3rd

Gary Trent
Assault
3 Years of College
22
2nd

John Wallace
Harassment
4 Years of College
23
2nd

[againes654]

34. You must have spent alot of time putting that list together

is that based on arrests or convictions? I believe that Kobe was falsely accused, so I am assuming that it is based solely on arrests. In which case, are you suggesting that all of those people should have lost their job based solely on an arrest and no trial?

[PeaceNikki]

35. I spent a HUGE amount of time copying and pasting from the link I posted.

:eyes:

[againes654]

38. Ok, so I will ask you again

are you suggesting that athletes should loose their job based solely on an arrest?

[PeaceNikki]

39. Of course not. I am saying that organizations have the right to release a player when they breech a

contract.

[againes654]

40. Not all of the people on your "list"

breeched a contract, so why would you post their name in response to my original question?

[we can do it]

42. Sounds To Me Like They All Need A Job Picking Up Trash

The spoiled babies and their supporters make me sick.

[proud2BlibKansan]

7. I would get fired from my job if I was arrested

Why should pro athletes be any different?

[depakid]

10. actually, you should be asking the converse

Why should you be fired from your job based on an unproven allegation?

[proud2BlibKansan]

31. There is a morals clause in my contract

I would imagine the same is true of pro athletes.

[depakid]

36. And what does it say?

for instance, if you were pulled over and arrested for "driving while white" or if you wore the wrong T-shirt to a rally and were charged with disorderly conduct- would it apply?

Should it?

[proud2BlibKansan]

44. Not sure of the exact wording

And no it probably shouldn't be there. But I guess what I am trying to say is it doesn't really matter if it SHOULD be there or not. It is.

I am an active anti-war activist and I NEVER do any civil disobedience. Yes, they can fire me. My union would probably get me a lawyer and I would fight it and maybe win my job back. But why mess with it? The job is stressful enough as it is.

As soon as I retire, I will go out and get arrested. Gives me something to look forward to. lol

[MadMaddie]

12. Inmaturity and the big one.....Liability, Liability, Liability

One of these guys kills someone while an employee of one of these organizations guess who pays.

These guys are getting chance after chance...they make big bucks and they can't keep their shit together.

I have no sympathy for them, they have dream jobs where they work half they year and make ridiculous salaries. They are grown men and are responsible for their actions.

[RB TexLa]

14. A murderer's employer is responsible for the murder?

[MadMaddie]

18. The employer will not be responsible for the murder,

however; if the employer continued to ignore certain behaviors and didn't address the behaviours and/or remove the employee...then the employer could be liable.

So the real question is are these guys responsible for their actions or not? Do they keep getting chance after chance just because they play a professional sport? Why are they on a pedestal?

They deserver to have their day in court but I am guessing their is more to these stories then we are seeing. The organizations would not let them go if they were on shakey legal ground. These players have signed contracts and if they don't meet their contractual obligations then it falls back on them doesn't it?

[RB TexLa]

23. So if an employee of mine murders someone, should I be held criminally or civilly responsible for

murder? Or both? Should I get the death penalty?

[MadMaddie]

27. Don't be ridiculous...of course you are not responsible.

These are multi-million dollar organizations that we are talking about. Are you saying that no one would sue if one of these guys who has a record happened to kill someone? I am not justifying it but that is the environment we live in.

Do you have you have your employees sign morality clauses in their contracts? These players did and they had lawyers with them they know what their obligations and responsibilities are.

The bottom line is are they responsible for their actions or not?

[natrat]

15. no sympathy for humans acting like bad animals

[kestrel91316]

17. They have some sort of contractual agreement that allows this,

otherwise I'm sure we'd hear the shrieking from the attorneys coast to coast.

Contracts. Hmmmmmm.......consenting parties and all that.......

[MikeNearMcChord]

21. The NFL is selling a product and a image, they don't want it tainted.

They took big hits because of the Rae Carruth and Ray Lewis scandals, that is why the NFL dealt with the likes of Tank Johnson, Pacman Jones, and when he gets out, Michael Vick.

[Dorian Gray]

24. He's been in trouble with the law

a few times, hasn't he? Maybe they're just sick of his unpredictability.

[-..__...]

26. Chris Henry

Some role model...

* December 15, 2005 - Chris Henry was pulled over in Northern Kentucky for speeding and marijuana was found in his shoes. He was also driving without a valid driver's license, and without auto insurance. On January 30, 2006, he was arrested in Orlando for multiple gun charges including concealment and aggravated assault with a firearm<11>. He was reported to have been wearing his Number 15 Bengals jersey at the time of his arrest. Henry pleaded guilty in both cases and avoided jail time in both cases.

* May 4, 2006 - Cincinnati media reported that Henry is being investigated by Covington police in connection with a sex crime, which allegedly occurred in a hotel room in Covington, Kentucky early on April 30, 2006. No charges have yet been filed, and on May 24, 2006, Covington police reported that there is no proof anything happened and that the alleged victim might now face charges for filing a false police report.

* June 3, 2006 - Chris Henry was pulled over outside on Interstate 275 at 1:18 a.m by Ohio Highway Trooper Michael Shimko. At 2:06 a.m. Henry voluntarily submitted to a breathalyzer test at Milford Police Department and registered a .092 blood-alcohol level, .012 above the level permitted by Ohio law. <12> These charges have since been dismissed as it was proven that the breathalyzer used to test Henry at the scene was faulty. <13>

* September 25, 2006 in the early morning, Bengals linebacker Odell Thurman was pulled over for a DUI. The truck Thurman was driving belonged to rookie Reggie McNeal. Neither McNeal nor Chris Henry were charged with any wrongdoing by authorities, however, Bengals Head Coach Marvin Lewis benched Henry for the Bengals loss against the New England Patriots.

* October 6, 2006 - Henry was suspended by the NFL for two games for violating the league's personal conduct and substance abuse policies. NFL policies forbid Henry from taking part in practices, however, he was allowed to attend any team meetings. Henry missed the Bengals' October 15, 2006 game at Tampa Bay Buccaneers and their October 22, 2006 game against the Carolina Panthers. <14>

* January 25, 2007 - Henry pleaded guilty to charges of providing alcohol to minors, an incident that occurred at a hotel in the spring on 2006. He was sentenced to 90 days in jail, with all but two of those days being suspended. <15>

* April 10, 2007 - Henry was suspended for the first eight games of the 2007 NFL season for violations of the NFL's personal conduct policy<16>. His suspension comes with a stern warning that future misconduct may result in the end of his career with the NFL. Henry has since been allowed to begin practicing fully with the Cincinnati Bengals by NFL Commissioner, Roger Goodell. <17> His suspension was lifted and he played in the November 11, game versus the Baltimore Ravens, amassing 4 catches for 99 yards.

* May 18, 2007 - Henry allegedly failed a court-mandated drug test, where a field tested resulted in a false positive for taking an opiate, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. The failed drug test would have been the third violation of the NFL's substance abuse policy. A third violation, per league rules, results in a one-year suspension. In addition to having his suspension increased to 24 games, he would have had to serve an 88 day jail sentence.<18> As of May 23, 2007, the State of Kentucky has reported that Henry in fact did NOT fail a drug test, and that earlier reports to the contrary are erroneous.

* June 12, 2007 - Henry allegedly assaulted a 16 year old boy with teammate Reggie McNeal. The claims were later reported to be unfounded <19> and Henry and McNeal have been exonerated.

* November 6, 2007 - Henry allegedly assaulted a valet attendant at Newport on the Levee<20>.

* December 3, 2007 - Henry arrested again in Orlando Florida for violating his probation he was on from a January 30, 2006 arrest in Orlando. On February 21, 2008 he was found not guilty of violation of probation. On February 26, 2008, a motion to terminate probation in Orange County Florida was denied.

* April 2, 2008 - Henry was charged with misdemeanor assault and property damage. Henry allegedly threw a bottle shattering the victim's car window and punched him in the face, however Henry said it was a case of mistaken identity. He claimed he thought it was somebody else that owed him money.<21> Henry was waived by the Bengals a day after this arrest.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Henry_%28wide_receiver%29

[davidinalameda]

29. as a WVU grad

good!

these bozos shouldn't be in a position to be role models

and yes, their contracts probably do have some sort of morals clauses

[MadHound]

32. Don't let the headlines do your thinking for you

I seriously doubt that the Bengals released Wilson because of a petty charge like DO, especially one that's nearly a year old. No, the likely reason is because Wilson isn't a shaky player at best, and Cincy is cleaning out space before the draft.

Henry on the other hand did need to be released, he's a one man crime wave, and even though he's already on probation, he went out and fucked up again.

Lewis also needs to rein in his program before it rides him out of town. What with so many of his players getting arrested and convicted, with Johnson calling him out, the Cincy program is looking more and more like a sinking ship.

[depakid]

37. The devil is usually in the details...

;-)

But interesting discussions also happen in the abstract.

[Richard Steele]

33. They don't need to "wait for a trial" when Henry ADMITTED that he committed assault. nm

[we can do it]

41. Good Riddence To the OverPaid Assholes

Waaaaaaa, I'm a rapist, but I play football. WAAAAAAAAAAAAA, I'm so misunderstood, nobody's made me follow any rules my whole life what do you expect. WAAAAAAAAA, I took up space on a free ride to college and my IQ is 70.......