Adam 'Pacman' Jones Fined $35,000 For Helmet Slam: 'I Can't Promise It Won't Happen Again'

BOSTON (CBS) -- Adam "Pacman" Jones has a history and reputation around the NFL, both on and off the field, and it's not one to be proud of as a player or person. His latest incident, when he ripped off the Raiders' Amari Cooper's helmet then slammed his head against it, may be his most egregious offense yet.

Yet somehow, even though just about everyone who saw the play agrees that it warrants a suspension, the league decided instead to fine Jones $35,000 instead of making him miss any games. And incredibly, he plans to appeal.

And not only does he disagree with the NFL's punishment, he doesn't plan on changing anything about himself or learning anything about it.

So Jones basically admitted he is insane. Of course there's nothing wrong with being an "emotional player" in and of itself, and sometimes you lose control of your emotions in the heat of the moment. We're all human, after all. But there's a difference between losing control of your emotions and deliberately trying to inflict physical harm on another person.

Jones ripped Cooper's helmet off then used Cooper's own helmet as a weapon. It's borderline sociopathic behavior not to see anything wrong with that. It's possible to be an aggressive, emotional, physical player without committing assault & battery, which is essentially what he did. His blatant disregard for the well-being of his fellow player should be enough to permanently keep him out of the league. And this is in a league that preaches player safety.

But as it goes in the NFL, if you can play you will get jobs, regardless of your off-field troubles or disturbing on-field behavior (unless it involves, you know, murder). Pacman Jones can still contribute on NFL teams, so he's not getting banned any time soon. We know he would have fit right in with the BountyGate-era Saints.

I wouldn't expect "Pacman" or anyone else to completely take their emotions out of their game, or not be physical or play hard. But you can do all of those things without getting blatantly violent. There's no place for what Pacman did, and his comments prove he will never learn.

Matt Dolloff is a digital producer for CBSBostonSports.com and protector of his brain whenever near 'Pacman' Jones. His opinions do not necessarily reflect that of CBS or 98.5 The Sports Hub. Read more from Matt here and follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff.