Sports Q&A: NFL Discipline; Bets

Terry from Gary, IN writes, "Tennessee Titans cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones and Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chris Henry are scheduled to meet with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to discuss their vast legal troubles. What can be expected as a result of the meeting?"

Wait a minute, Goodell's discussing Jones' and Henry's legal troubles? In one day? This should at least be a three-day conference, especially if they discuss on a charge-by-charge basis. If Jones and Henry can come out of that meeting with no more than four-game suspensions each, then they should celebrate, but not in the ways to which they are accustomed (those which lead to DWIs, slapped strippers, and/or gunplay). Now, if Goodell emerges from the meeting wearing a do-rag and packing heat, then God help us all.

This may be the first time in history that players will be patted down and sent through a metal detector before meeting with an NFL commissioner. This is not your father's NFL, for sure. I doubt Pete Rozelle ever had a meeting quite like the one for which Goodell is in store, although Rozelle was probably quite uncomfortable with Raiders owner Al Davis sitting across from him. I bet they didn't talk about strip clubs, multiple DWIs, and guns, but maybe I'm not giving a young Al Davis enough credit. I hope Goodell has a huge office, because with a number of bodyguards, lawyers, advisors, rappers, posse members, and translators set to attend, it may be difficult for the three main principals to find a seat.

And once they do, how are these three going to relate to each other? I'm sure Jones and Henry will find plenty in common. But what about poor Goodell? How can he bridge the huge generational gap between his upper class upbringing and that of Jones and Henry? He can't do it alone. I'm sure the Reverend Al Sharpton will offer his help, but I think the Beastie Boys are a much more satisfactory choice. Goodell can make the two players feel right at home by speaking to them through a plexiglass window via a telephone.

And what can Jones and Henry possibly say to convince Goodell to give them the minimum suspension? Short of bribery, which I'm sure they've considered, what other option do they have except to plead for leniency? A few tears never hurt, and it's always good to classify yourself as a "victim" in cases like this. Lawyers for Jones have already indicated they'll fight any punishment the NFL sentences, which is certain to go down in history as the most futile defense in legal history. Meanwhile, Henry's hopes to impress Goodell by remaining alcohol-free from now until Tuesday. Whether or not Henry can stay out of the driver's seat of a car remains to be seen.

Goodell plans to implement a new player conduct policy by next month; whether or not the fates of Jones and Henry fall under these new guidelines is unsure. Had these new guidelines been in place upon Jones' and Henry's entry into the NFL, they probably would have been banned for life from the league, or at the very least, banished to the Canadian Football League.

Whatever Goodell decides, Jones and Henry will probably get off easy considering the number of transgressions with which they have been involved, regardless of whether or not they were convicted. They should accept their punishments with humility and realize that, were they not professional athletes blessed with the money to afford the best lawyers, they would probably be in jail. Which is, quite possibly, where they belong.

Oscar from Ramer, AL writes, "Washington Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas was recently reprimanded by the NBA for making bets with fans during a game on March 21st. Is this really such a bad thing, compared to the behavior of other NBA players?"

In case you missed the details, Arenas admitted after the game that he bet a fan $10 that he would make the winning shot in a game against the Portland Trail Blazers. He failed, shooting an airball, then later posted on his blog that he had the fan's email address so he could pay the bet off. NBA spokesman John Acunto spoke to Arenas about the issue, and said Arenas assured him he "wouldn't do anything like this again." A skeptical Acunto added, "Although I wouldn't put money on it." NBA commissioner David Stern also weighed in, tersely stating that "I bet he doesn't do it again." Baseball great Pete Rose pledged his support by purchasing season tickets to the remainder of Wizards games, and Michael Jordan wants his old job back.

I say the NBA should embrace this kind of honor in the league. Arenas is not a troublemaker, he's an ambassador of goodwill for the NBA. I'm sure he's not the first player to make a bet with a fan during a game, but he's got to be the first to make a serious effort to make good on a losing bet.

It's too bad this incident didn't happen after November 19, 2004, the infamous date of the Indiana Pacers/Detroit Pistons brawl in Detroit. It was an incident that tarnished the league, but what better way to offset the image of Ron Artest rushing into the stands to throw punches at fans than Arenas racing into the stands to pay off a $10 wager. Now, if said fan welshes on that bet, then send Artest to get him, or at least make that fan defend a Kobe Bryant fallway jumper and face smack. I think the fact that the NBA just reprimanded Arenas and didn't fine him shows that they don't see his behavior as that egregious.

What's a little good-natured banter amongst fans and players if all it leads to is a friendly $10 wager? It's not like Arenas looked to purchase a table dance, a dime bag, or a few rounds of ammunition, all common $10 purchases made by NBA players, and also items readily available in the stands at most NBA games, particularly those of the Clippers.

It's likely the fan was heckling Arenas, and Arenas chose his unique response in lieu of returning trash talk, which is what most other NBA players would have done. Arenas lost a heckler and gained a fan, a fan who happens to be $10 richer, assuming Arenas actually paid him, which I'm sure he did. Arenas just didn't report it on his blog, which is what got him in trouble in the first place. That's got to be an appealing scenario for fans who have just spent $50 to get in to a game: the ability to recoup $10 on that purchase.

Simply put, the NBA has enough on it's plate (global expansion, Rasheed Wallace, Clyde Drexler's dancing) to quietly overlook Arenas' small bet, and others that are sure to follow. And it's the players responsibility to remain discreet about their transactions with fans sitting courtside, especially those with gambling addictions. If you're going to bet, Gilbert Arenas, you have to do it responsibly.

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