Thursday, March 1, 2007

Pacman in trouble?

Adam "Pacman" Jones, the Tennessee Titans' first round draft pick in the 2005 NFL draft is making headlines again. Unfortunately for the Titans it's because once again, he has ended up on the wrong side of the law. Since joining the Titans in 2005, Jones has been arrested five times and been considered a "person on interest" 10 times. Yikes!

The most recent incident occurred at a Las Vegas strip club where a shooting on Feb. 19 left three people injured and one paralyzed. Jones was questioned by police for his involvement and released.

Some of his proudest moments have been a felony arrest for obstruction of justice, charges of marijuana possession and assault. After all of this, it makes you wonder. What is the NFL supposed to do? Well, according to NFL spokesman Michael Signora, the league is reviewing Jones' behavior under the player conduct policy.

His behavior is under review? In how many other professions could you be arrested five times, including arrests for marijuana and assault and not face termination?
The only punishment he has served was a one-game suspension handed down by the Titans, not the NFL. The league is yet to make a decision on what to do with Jones. It makes it difficult when a top player in the league spends more time talking with police than he does communicating with his head coach.

This past year was the NFL named a new commissioner to fill the shoes of Paul Tagliabue. Roger Goodell, the new top-gun in the NFL, has a chance to flex some muscle and show the league he means business. He has a chance not just to make an example of a young player, but maybe to do some good in his life. Sit him down and explain to him the dangers and consequences of his actions - that is, if there are any consequences. This sure is a great way to start. And he comes from a Public Relations background, beginning his NFL career as a PR intern. I would have thought somewhere along the way he would have been taught how to handle a situation like this.

nice job...

all the best,

ben