NFL Suspends "Pacman" Jones For A Season
Adam "Pacman" Jones of Tennessee was suspended for the 2007 season Tuesday and Chris Henry of Cincinnati for eight games — both for numerous violations of the NFL's personal conduct policy.
"It is a privilege to represent the NFL, not a right," NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement announcing the suspensions. "These players and all members of our league have to make the right choices and decisions in their conduct on a consistent basis."
Jones' off-field conduct has included 10 incidents in which he was interviewed by police. The most recent took place during the NBA All-Star weekend in Las Vegas. Police there have recommended felony and misdemeanor charges against Jones after a fight and shooting at a strip club paralyzed one man.
Henry was arrested four times in a 14-month span, resulting in two benchings by coach Marvin Lewis and a two-game league suspension. He was one of nine Bengals arrested in nine months.
Both the Titans and the Bengals said they supported the suspensions.
"While we regret the circumstances that called for it, it's good for both Chris and the Bengals to have the matter resolved," said Lewis. "Our team will move forward, and now it is up to Chris to acquire a more mature understanding of his responsibilities as a player for the Bengals and a representative of the NFL."
Goodell, who replaced the retired Paul Tagliabue seven months ago, also announced the new, tougher personal conduct policy that will include larger fines and longer suspensions.
The suspensions came under the current NFL policy on player conduct.
"It is important that the NFL be represented consistently by outstanding people as well as great football players, coaches and staff," Goodell said in announcing the new policy.
"We hold ourselves to higher standards of responsible conduct because of what it means to be part of the National Football League. We have long had policies and programs designed to encourage responsible behavior, and this policy is a further step in ensuring that everyone who is part of the NFL meets that standard."
Jones, the sixth overall pick in the 2005 draft, starred on the field but has had nothing but trouble off it during two seasons with the Titans. He had four touchdowns last season, three on punt returns and one on one of his four interceptions.
He could be reinstated before season's end if he adheres to a strict set of conditions set by the NFL that include no further involvement with law enforcement; counseling, education and treatment under league and court-ordered programs; follows restrictions on his activities agreed to with the Titans; and a community-service program submitted to the league for review and approval.
"We appreciate the Commissioner's thoughtful decision today and the discipline plan imposed on Adam Jones," the Titans said. "We respect this decision and are confident this is in the best interest of the league and the team. We are hopeful that it will achieve the goals of disciplining the player and eventually enabling him to return to the field of play. Our goals for Jones are consistent with the league's in that regard."
Jones' attorney, Manny Arora of Atlanta, was in a meeting and did not immediately return a message left by The Associated Press.