Quote:
Originally Posted by Chip R
That's a great point. 
However, I've been concerned that the NFL is becoming almost McCarthyistic (if that's even a word) in dealing with these players. It seems that now all you need are allegations and a player can be suspended. It can get to be a slipery slope. For example, Steeler Fan could bait Carson Palmer into an altercation and even if charges were dropped or there were no charges filed at all, the NFL would have to take disciplinary action against Palmer. Now I know Carson's as clean as they come so he probably wouldn't be suspended but that's beside the point. |
Here's a statment I found on another site regarding Thurman:
The basic reality is that Thurman had been previously banished under the league's substance abuse policy. Banishment is the final step after multiple positive urine tests and/or other activities that violate the policy.
In order to be reinstated after a minimum banishment of one-year, the player must be in full compliance with all aspects of his treatment plan, and he likewise must submit to and pass any and all random urine tests imposed upon him. Even if the player complies with the treatment plan and passes all tests, reinstatement is not automatic.
Thurman was banned from the league, with the ability to apply for reinstatement after one year. I think that reads a lot different that what 99.5% of Bengal fans, including myself thought. But IMO, Thurman made his bed, now he's got to sleep in it. He's at the mercy of the commish, and this commish is trying to make bold statements about a league whose players have been way, way out of control in the past, and he's not going to put up with any of this kind of garbage right now, and quite frankly, I don't blame him. Someone has finally woken up and has seen that athletes are role models that kids and others look up to, and is holding them to the standards that many of us "commonfolk" live our lives by. Thurman pushed the envelope of the league rules, and they are pushing him back, playing hardball with him.