09-15-2014, 05:18 PM
I don't understand why the NFL is so muddled up on the issue. Yeah, professional football is entertainment, but the NFL is an entertainment business organization/employer.
I think the NFL should have a cross-team policy similar to mine and other employers of all sizes:
1. You gotta felony conviction on your record, then you don't qualify to be hired.
2. You gotta felony or misdemeanor conviction for a violent crime, then you don't qualify to be hired.
3. You get a felony conviction or a misdemeanor conviction for a violent crime during your employment, your employment is terminated -- no ifs, ands, or buts.
I don't think that professional athletes should be hailed as role models by default, simply based on the jobs they perform (for which they're typically very well-paid). The fact that a lot of people apparently hold them to an unrealistic expectation is part of the problem, IMO.
Just like in every profession, some pro athletes are effin' assholes that happen to excel at their jobs. But, they're far from role model material. And, some pro athletes are incredibly admirable human beings who would be worthy role models no matter what they did for a living, Shouldn't matter if they're role model material or not when it comes right down to it, IMO.
If they're the best qualified candidates to do the job and they don't have any felony or violent offense convictions, then they should take the field and do it like they need the money; play like badass mofos -- period. Otherwise, they don't qualify to play. Cut and dry.
When it comes to criminal allegations, the NFL should let LE handle it. If a conviction or guilty plea is secured against an NFL player, then the NFL unwaveringly bounces the player, per policy (if they choose to bounce him for cause before a conviction/guilty plea is secured, that's fine -- so long as the player's actions clearly violated the league's employment "code of conduct" clause).
I don't think the NFL needs criminal consultants. I think it needs clearer and more consistent employment policies and enforcement practices -- across all of its teams. And, I think that some of the public needs a reality check.
I think the NFL should have a cross-team policy similar to mine and other employers of all sizes:
1. You gotta felony conviction on your record, then you don't qualify to be hired.
2. You gotta felony or misdemeanor conviction for a violent crime, then you don't qualify to be hired.
3. You get a felony conviction or a misdemeanor conviction for a violent crime during your employment, your employment is terminated -- no ifs, ands, or buts.
I don't think that professional athletes should be hailed as role models by default, simply based on the jobs they perform (for which they're typically very well-paid). The fact that a lot of people apparently hold them to an unrealistic expectation is part of the problem, IMO.
Just like in every profession, some pro athletes are effin' assholes that happen to excel at their jobs. But, they're far from role model material. And, some pro athletes are incredibly admirable human beings who would be worthy role models no matter what they did for a living, Shouldn't matter if they're role model material or not when it comes right down to it, IMO.
If they're the best qualified candidates to do the job and they don't have any felony or violent offense convictions, then they should take the field and do it like they need the money; play like badass mofos -- period. Otherwise, they don't qualify to play. Cut and dry.
When it comes to criminal allegations, the NFL should let LE handle it. If a conviction or guilty plea is secured against an NFL player, then the NFL unwaveringly bounces the player, per policy (if they choose to bounce him for cause before a conviction/guilty plea is secured, that's fine -- so long as the player's actions clearly violated the league's employment "code of conduct" clause).
I don't think the NFL needs criminal consultants. I think it needs clearer and more consistent employment policies and enforcement practices -- across all of its teams. And, I think that some of the public needs a reality check.