Image and conduct have been a long-standing problem within professional sports. Every time a television is turned on or a newspaper is opened there is a story involving the arrest, conviction, or suspension of another sports figure. However, the punishment for these athletes never seems to match the extent of the crimes. Sports fans are growing weary of the message today’s youth continues to witness time and again as professional athletes behave unprofessionally with minimal repercussions. The increasing dissatisfaction has become so significant that the NFL, the leader in professional sports conduct enforcement, has decided to implement a new league conduct policy. With the structure of teamwork between the Commissioner and Players Association, increased education, and strict discipline, this new policy promises to effectively decrease the misconduct in the NFL.
The greatest downfall of most conduct policies in professional sports today is the constant disagreement between a league commissioner and the players’ association. It would seem that the NFL has already overcome this problem. With Commissioner Roger Goodell’s recognition of the ineffectiveness the current and long-standing policies have had, he has taken it upon himself to expand and improve the system with the full support of the NFL Players Association (NFLPA). After the announced implementation of the new policy, the NFLPA executive director Gene Upshaw showed his support, acknowledging, “We believe that these are steps that the commissioner needs to take and we support the policy” (“NFL Strengthens”). As if the approval of the NFLPA wasn’t sufficient, a Player Advisory Council has also been established to expand the ruling body for the purpose of addressing future issues. Made up of active players from various teams, this council will serve as the voice of the athletes beyond that of the NFLPA. Unlike other professional sports, where arguments and disagreements between commissioners and association result in bitter negotiations and often escalate into strikes, the NFL has unified and expanded to assure that everyone is taken into account when working toward upholding the integrity of the League.
A key component in the new conduct policy is the expanded education that will be put into practice to help first-year players transitioning into the league as well as to help veterans deal with their lives in the spotlight. Most first-year players that enter into the NFL are young adults who have only recently graduated from college and, frequently, are making the transition immediately after their junior year. These young adults will largely be college students that have struggled with finances through their college careers. The sudden shift into the spotlight can be overwhelming and exciting as they almost immediately find themselves on television, fawned over by adoring fans, and taking on more financial income than ever before. The new NFL conduct policy has mandated several educational functions that will help these players adjust. An annual rookie symposium of all drafted players followed up with year-round orientation has been established for rookies, and all employees will benefit from an expanded annual life-skills program, annual briefings pertaining to law, and club implemented law compliance programs (“NFL Strengthens”). Even with all the new programs being initiated for educating players, the NFL understands that problems will still arise. To address these issue, the policy will also include expanded counseling and treatment programs.
Although many steps are being taken to prevent any future disciplinary problems, the NFL conduct policy has also instituted higher fines and suspension for players that still display conduct inappropriate for the NFL image. In the 2006 calendar year alone, there were 36 individual players arrested or brought up on charges (“NFL Players”). Of these 36 individuals, Chris Henry of the Cincinnati Bengals and Adam “Pacman” Jones of the Tennessee Titans were involved in multiple incidents. In response to these incidents, and in conjunction with the installment of the new policy, Commissioner Goodell addressed them as bringing “embarrassment and ridicule upon yourself, your club, and the NFL” and enacted an eight game suspension for Henry, while ending Jones’ season for 2007 (Battista). Although the conditions of the suspension vary slightly between the two players, both players must exhibit model behavior during their term of suspension to avoid further disciplinary actions, and neither is guaranteed reinstatement upon the end of their leave. At the conclusion of their suspension, they must both apply for reinstatement, at which time they will be reviewed to determine whether the NFL feels they have earned the right to return. “You have put in jeopardy an otherwise promising NFL career,” Commissioner Goodell wrote to both Jones and Henry (
With fan tolerance reaching its threshold, the NFLPA has published the rules and regulations of the conduct policy for anyone who wishes to review its contents. The policy has been written for any “Covered Persons” within the NFL establishment and includes all full-time employees, players, rookies selected in the Draft, as well as undrafted rookies, unsigned veterans and any other prospective employee commenced in negotiations (“Rules and Regulations”). This conduct is not only limited to crimes that end in arrest. The NFL has established its right to enforce this policy on any Covered Person that is involved in any conduct deemed detrimental to the image of the league, whether or not they are charged, convicted, or engaged in any criminal activity. It is also clearly stated within the regulations that all arrests or criminal charges that are not public knowledge must be reported to the individual’s Club or NFL security immediately and that failure to report will result in consideration of higher penalties when determining disciplinary action (“Rules and Regulations”). Although the policy does inform all employees of their right to appeal any disciplinary actions brought up against them, it seems perfectly clear that the NFL has no intention of taking any conduct that is ruled detrimental to the game lightly.
Although it has seemed that a majority of NFL players are in agreement with all the new conduct policies, there have been individuals who have announced their doubt or dissatisfaction. Keyshawn Johnson, a former receiver for the Carolina Panthers, expressed some of his doubts and concerns when he said: “I hope it doesn’t backfire. What happens if a coach, GM or owner gets a DUI? Then what? What if an ex-NFL player throws himself through a window in
Another player who has spoken out openly against the new conduct policy has been Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Warren Sapp. Sapp’s concerns have been directed more toward the recent suspension of “Pacman” Jones. “What the hell rule did he break?” Sapp questioned. “Oh, that ‘we can do whatever we want’ rule. Believe me, you don’t want to be there. Some people said that Pacman might want to appeal. To who? God?” (
Although no policy will ever eradicate all occurrences involving individuals who surround themselves with inappropriate crowds and surroundings, the new conduct policy enforced by the NFL has opened a doorway for better education and support for its employees. The disciplinary repercussions are greater and offer a larger deterrent for individuals that insist on continuing to pursue inappropriate behavior, and the Commissioner’s option to refuse reinstatement can remove repeat offenders from the presence of the NFL. The policy promises to better control the image of professional football and allows openings for adjustment as new problems arise. It’s time for players to start behaving like professionals. It’s time they realize their positions for what they are. As Commissioner Goodell has been quoted saying across all forms of media, “To play in the NFL is a privilege, not a right.”
Works Cited
Battista, Judy. “NFL Suspends 2 Players for Personal Conduct.” The New York Times. 10 Apr. 2007. 26 Apr. 2007. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/10/sports/football/11cndnfl.html?_r=2&hp&oref=slogin&oref=slogin
“NFL Players Arrested This Year.” 2006. The
“NFL strengthens personal conduct policy.” NFL.com. 26 Apr. 2007. 14 Apr. 2007. http://www.nfl.com/news/story/10119182.
“Rules and Regulations: Conduct Policy.” NFL Players Association. 26 Apr. 2007. http://www.nflpa.org/RulesAndRegs/ConductPolicy.aspx.
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