Why It's Time For Roger Goodell to Lay The Hammer Down on DUI's
Crush a bit, little bit, roll it up, take a hit
Feelin’ lit feelin’ light, 2 am summer night.
I don't care, hand on the wheel, drivin drunk, I'm doin’ my thang
Rollin the Midwest side and out livin’ my life getting’ out dreams
Perhaps it was Kid Cudi's "Pursuit of Happiness" that blared from the car stereo as the newly drafted rookie sensation swerved across multiple lanes on an Oklahoma highway. It was oddly enough a warm summer night, and the time was around 2 AM when Justin Blackmon saw flashing red lights in his rear view mirror.
The draft's most highly touted wideout in the 2012 class now found himself covered by the best cornerback in the world, the United States Police. He usually never had any trouble exploding off the line of scrimmage and getting open, but his lack of awareness and blood shot eyes were making this game a little harder than those past. Slurring his speech and stumbling uncontrollably, Justin exited the vehicle. "I"m literally not a drinker. I'm literally not a drinker." The former college All American and Biletnikoff award winner repeated these words over and over throughout the night, hoping someone would hear his plea.
Rollin the Midwest side and out livin’ my life getting’ out dreams
Perhaps it was Kid Cudi's "Pursuit of Happiness" that blared from the car stereo as the newly drafted rookie sensation swerved across multiple lanes on an Oklahoma highway. It was oddly enough a warm summer night, and the time was around 2 AM when Justin Blackmon saw flashing red lights in his rear view mirror.
The draft's most highly touted wideout in the 2012 class now found himself covered by the best cornerback in the world, the United States Police. He usually never had any trouble exploding off the line of scrimmage and getting open, but his lack of awareness and blood shot eyes were making this game a little harder than those past. Slurring his speech and stumbling uncontrollably, Justin exited the vehicle. "I"m literally not a drinker. I'm literally not a drinker." The former college All American and Biletnikoff award winner repeated these words over and over throughout the night, hoping someone would hear his plea.
Every game comes to its inevitable end, and this time the fourth quarter occurred in the back of a police car. The post game festivities were held in a Tulsa based penitentiary. At 10AM central standard time, Justin Blackmon found himself in shackles under federal custody.
In the face of frightening peril and inescapable evil, one light shines over the city of Gotham to comfort and protect its citizens. Hey Commisioner Gordon while you're up there, you mind turning on the Goodell Signal for us too? Things appear grim down here. Really grim.
Despite constant media coverage surrounding the bounty gate scandal, driving under the influence is the league's most vile and rampant epidemic. Almost every 90 seconds a person is injured in a drunk driving crash. Nearly half of all traffic related incidents are due to intoxication behind the wheel. One in three Americans is involved in a drunk driving accident in their lifetime. Yet it seems everyday we awake to the news of one our Sunday heroes putting not only his own life in grave danger but also the well being of others.
Lions defensive tackle Nick Fairley and New York Giants Offensive Lineman David Diehl both dominate the trenches but were recently the latest offenders of this egregious crime. Diehl decided to get loaded and nail a few parked cars with his BMW before calling it a successful night out. Fairley felt like evading the authorities before he blew a breathalyzer to the moon.
What drives legends of the gridiron to take such chances? It's extremely easy for me to sit from afar and ponder "Why don't they just hire a freaking driver. Is it just alcohol induced decision hazy decision making, arrogance, or just an exhilarating rush to put the lives of innocent women and children at risk?"
In a well written essay by Mike Freeman, the CBS sports journalist details that players do not trust car services due to "extreme paranoia." Some fear that pictures will be taken of them in car services and sold to tabloids. Others enjoy the thrill of showing off their personal cars and driving them through town.
At their very core, some NFL players believe they are invincible. These young men grow up as the pride and joy of their families, friends, towns, and communities. In a sense, some become their own Gods that can do no wrong and never face the consequences of their actions. And who could blame them for thinking so? Aren't we the ones who turn them into monsters?
Regardless of the psychological and sociological reasons behind the vast number of athletes driving drunk, something drastic must be done to protect the innocent and the NFL. And there's only one man for the job.
On June 13th amidst the DUI fever across the league, Roger Goodell sent out a memo to all 32 organizations that was forwarded to management and player personnel.
"If you drive while incapacitated, I will take every last cent you out out of your wallet. You think I fine James Harrison pretty frequently? I will make your ass more broke than Pac Man Jones after a wild night at the strip club. Bottom line, I own you. The NFL is the most dominant brand in all of sports and I will do everything in my power to make sure a player, who on average last less than 2 years in this league, doesn't put America's most powerful corporation in jeopardy. Bow before me. In the words of Mark Zuckerberg, I'm CEO, Bitch.
The Goodell Signal
In the face of frightening peril and inescapable evil, one light shines over the city of Gotham to comfort and protect its citizens. Hey Commisioner Gordon while you're up there, you mind turning on the Goodell Signal for us too? Things appear grim down here. Really grim. Despite constant media coverage surrounding the bounty gate scandal, driving under the influence is the league's most vile and rampant epidemic. Almost every 90 seconds a person is injured in a drunk driving crash. Nearly half of all traffic related incidents are due to intoxication behind the wheel. One in three Americans is involved in a drunk driving accident in their lifetime. Yet it seems everyday we awake to the news of one our Sunday heroes putting not only his own life in grave danger but also the well being of others.
Lions defensive tackle Nick Fairley and New York Giants Offensive Lineman David Diehl both dominate the trenches but were recently the latest offenders of this egregious crime. Diehl decided to get loaded and nail a few parked cars with his BMW before calling it a successful night out. Fairley felt like evading the authorities before he blew a breathalyzer to the moon.
What drives legends of the gridiron to take such chances? It's extremely easy for me to sit from afar and ponder "Why don't they just hire a freaking driver. Is it just alcohol induced decision hazy decision making, arrogance, or just an exhilarating rush to put the lives of innocent women and children at risk?"
In a well written essay by Mike Freeman, the CBS sports journalist details that players do not trust car services due to "extreme paranoia." Some fear that pictures will be taken of them in car services and sold to tabloids. Others enjoy the thrill of showing off their personal cars and driving them through town.
At their very core, some NFL players believe they are invincible. These young men grow up as the pride and joy of their families, friends, towns, and communities. In a sense, some become their own Gods that can do no wrong and never face the consequences of their actions. And who could blame them for thinking so? Aren't we the ones who turn them into monsters?
Regardless of the psychological and sociological reasons behind the vast number of athletes driving drunk, something drastic must be done to protect the innocent and the NFL. And there's only one man for the job.
Dropping The Hammer
On June 13th amidst the DUI fever across the league, Roger Goodell sent out a memo to all 32 organizations that was forwarded to management and player personnel.
"There have been several negative law enforcement incidents in recent months involving both players and non-player employees. These incidents primarily have involved alcohol or drug-related offenses, specifically driving while impaired. Clearly, operating a vehicle under the influence of any substance poses a significant risk of injury to the driver and others. These risks are underscored by well-known tragedies within the NFL family.
"The Personal Conduct Policy makes clear that we must all conduct ourselves in a manner that is "responsible, that promotes the values upon which the league is based, and is lawful." Every negative incident undermines the respect we have earned from our fans, erodes the confidence of our business partners and threatens the continued success of the league.
Sincerely,
NFL Commisioner
-Roger Goodell
This is what Goodell should have sent to all 32 teams.
Sincerely,
-Roger Goodell
NFL Commisioner
Sure, Roger might not be able to use similar verbiage, but it's time to drop the hammer like Thor. No commissioner in professional sports is given more free reign in disciplining players. The former lawyer and Rooney disciple sent one of the strongest and most controversial messages in league history regarding the New Orleans bounty gate scandal. Some feel punishments received by Saints players and coaches were too severe, but one thing is clear. No NFL team will ever set bounties against other players again. No team can afford to lose its personnel for a whole season and possibly forever. I have commended Goodell for his commitment to player safety, but now its time to further commit to player safety and citizen safety once more. If player on player crime such as bounties can result in huge penalties, how much more severe should the sanctions be when innocent people could potentially be killed? Currently, the maximum fine a player can receive for DUI's is 50,000 dollars and game suspensions. It's time to tremendously up the monetary ante so players fear the repercussions of their actions and do everything in their will to get a designated driver.
You Can't Afford It.
-Roger Goodell
NFL Commisioner
Sure, Roger might not be able to use similar verbiage, but it's time to drop the hammer like Thor. No commissioner in professional sports is given more free reign in disciplining players. The former lawyer and Rooney disciple sent one of the strongest and most controversial messages in league history regarding the New Orleans bounty gate scandal. Some feel punishments received by Saints players and coaches were too severe, but one thing is clear. No NFL team will ever set bounties against other players again. No team can afford to lose its personnel for a whole season and possibly forever. I have commended Goodell for his commitment to player safety, but now its time to further commit to player safety and citizen safety once more. If player on player crime such as bounties can result in huge penalties, how much more severe should the sanctions be when innocent people could potentially be killed? Currently, the maximum fine a player can receive for DUI's is 50,000 dollars and game suspensions. It's time to tremendously up the monetary ante so players fear the repercussions of their actions and do everything in their will to get a designated driver.
One message desperately needs to be sent to NFL
players about driving while under the influence.
You Can't Afford It.
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