There’s much to like about NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. Maybe the fact he installed NFL’s player conduct policy that jettisoned fun in from a multi of player’s standpoints.'
Maybe the fact he eliminated touchdown celebrations that taunted the opposing team, staring bitterly.
Or maybe you like the fact that he dumped out havoc, improvising peace on earth, friendliness among peers and even maturity on the professional level.
Better suggestions than predecessor Paul Tagliabue, allowing too much fun to enrich national disturbance of player’s repulsive lifestyles.
You don’t have to like Goodell for addressing a problem worst than A-Rod’s steroid storm. And you don’t have to like him for suspending players who didn’t abide by the guidelines.
But you must credit his recent discipline accountability on a troubled Donte’ Stallworth, the Cleveland Browns wideout who’s in trouble with the law.
Following guidelines must be treated equally, and must be enforced to the fallen star, sabotaging respectability, perhaps with too much to drink and appointed on taking it to a higher level and failed to realize troubles would elicit eventually.
By making one wrong turn when he leaped behind the wheel, it changed Stallworth’s life, presumably ending brief stint as a Brown.
On a night Stallworth wasn’t thinking of the trauma and infractions, which could hunt him for the rest of his life, he traumatized an anguishing family, mourning the death of Mario Reyes, the 59-year old man that an intoxicated Stallworth hammered and almost fled the scene in his black Bentley.
He pled guilty on manslaughter charges and agreed to a financial settlement with Reyes family, which results in a sentence of 30 days in jail.
And to add more harsh mortifications and punishment, Goodell, the stern boss who doesn’t condone off-the-field misconduct, suspended Stallworth indefinitely Thursday.
It took the commissioner to body slam him harder than the justice system. But either way sanctions were handed to the contemptible Browns’ star, might have seen the last of the NFL.
So the justice department might as well give Goodell a badge and police hat for issuing a punishment harder than the court system in Miami.
It took Goodell to enforce more time out of the league than it takes for the court system to throw Stallworth behind bars for committing a horrific crime, worst than Pacman Jones’ strip club fetish or Michael Vick’s gruesome dogfighting.
Assuming that Stallworth committed manslaughter, more time in jail would have made it seem more like a fair punishment. His infractions are worst than Vick’s, yes he killed man’s best friend, but Stallworth killed a man, walking across the street.
Understand that I’m not saying dogs deserve to be beaten, tortured or killed, but I’m saying a human is worst.
For two years, Vick served time in prison for dogfighting charges, not nearly as horrific as a drunk driver hatching a baleful tragedy.
It’s fatality that has a family bitter, angry and grieving a loss, upsettingly receiving justice, just not as harsh.
At the right time, Goodell cracked down, handing justice that wasn’t served as anticipated, when the Miami court system should have followed Goodell’s conduct policy, understanding the correct way of punishing someone of negligence.
Whether it’s ignorance of the law, or senseless complexion of values, Stallworth got off too easily, only having to serve a light sentence of DUI charges that involved death.
For killing someone while driving under the influence, usually results in a 15-year maximum sentence, but offering a plea deal saved him from serving punitive time.
Still, it's letting him off too freely, and assuming that the commissioner knew of the mild results, he stepped up and did a favor for the Reyes’ family. That’s stripping him of his livelihood, and privileges of appearing ready by training camp.
Goodell quickly declared fair punishment, taking down an ill-mannered receiver. If he followed the Budweiser beer ads that encourages drinkers to drink responsible, which includes no drinking and driving, in likelihood Stallworth wouldn’t be stuck in such an unknown predicament.
His life is now in someone else’s hands, having no control of what will transpire in the near future, and shouldn’t after driving in the wee hours with a .126 blood-alcohol level.
By learning this disturbing story, I call it sinful and mind-boggling, a horrific crime enough to make you numb and damn-near shed tears, feeling sorry for the victim's family.
In the meantime, Stallworth must serve two years of house arrest and probation for eight years. Still, I don’t consider that as harsh as Vick’s two-year lockup or even as much as I don’t want to state this O.J. Simpson, who’s serving his sentence for stupidity that catches him on camera stealing his personal belongings.
In likelihood, Vick may never hurl another pass in the pros, but Stallworth stunningly may have a second chance of redemption, though he’s suspended until the commissioner reinstates him, only of course if he decides to give him a second chance.
I would assume, just as he told Vick, he must present true remorse. But his suspension may last through the entire 2009 season, of which the Browns are looking to move on without the stellar receiver, and might even release him.
If so, the Browns could lose out on a $4.5 million, after he was given a $4.5 million bonus.
But sadly, Goodell had to banish Stallworth’s misbehavior of DUI manslaughter, better than the amenable judge and court system in Miami.
Understand there’s no other judge around; Goodell is the judge.
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