The NFL has been known for being the "No Fun League". From their frequent fines, not allowing players to celebrate on the field, and their persistent attitude towards trying to punish those who don't deserve it (cough cough Deflategate), many players and fans alike have complained that punishments levied by the league can be too strict. What is disturbing, is the punishments that aren't strict.
The NFL's drug policy has continued to change overtime, with the latest changes coming in 2014 to try to make punishments less harsh and to help players get help. That hasn't been the case for everyone. Justin Blackmon, a first round pick for the Jaguars back in the 2012 draft, hasn't played a down since the 2013 season. After being suspended for the first four games for violating the substance abuse policy, Blackmon was suspended indefinitely halfway through the 2013 season. He has continued to get in trouble with the law, with his latest arrest coming in December of this past year. He may never play football again.
.jpg)
Another example is Josh Gordon. Gordon had known drug problems before coming to school, as he had been suspended from his college team and had to enter the supplementary draft instead of the regular one. Gordon was suspended in 2013 for 2 games, yet still led the League in yards receiving. He was a first team all-pro and Pro Bowl selection. Gordon was arrested for a DUI in 2014, and only played for 5 games. Gordon was then suspended for the entire 2015 season after being found drinking alcohol on a team flight. Although Gordon will likely be reinstated and be able to play for the upcoming 2016 season, another strike could lead to him being out of the league forever.
On the other side of the coin, there have been many players who have been accused of committing acts of sexual assault. Peyton Manning was accused of it all the way back to 1996 (it recently resurfaced), Ben Roethlisberger in both 2008 and 2010 and did serve a 6 game suspension for the latter accusation, while the 1st overall pick in the 2015 draft Jameis Winston was accused in 2013. Winston had already been under scrutiny for a previous theft, and although there were no charges, the matter will continue to go into civil court in 2017. Johnny Manziel, formerly known as Johnny football, has been in the news quite a bit lately. Prior to the 2015 season, he checked himself into rehab to treat his excessive drinking. Even after rehab, he continued to skip team meetings and party. He was recently accused of assault by his ex-girlfriend, which resulted in her becoming deaf in one ear. Manziel is currently under investigation by Dallas police for the incident.
So many accusations, yet so little punishment. Sure, many can say that there wasn't much evidence to prove these claims and therefore nothing should be done. Others say it's up to the law to punish them, not the NFL. If the NFL is punishing athletes for drinking and smoking, aren't they basically acting as the law? What about the players who had plenty of evidence against them? Greg Hardy was found guilty of assault, and only sentenced to 18 months of probation. He was only suspended 10 games, which was later reduced to 4 games. Hardy then later had his charges expunged, which means that his records were sealed and he could pretend it never happened. Another famous case was Ray Rice, where video evidence showed him knocking out his wife in an elevator. Rice was cut by the Baltimore Ravens and suspended indefinitely. He has been reinstated since, only 3 months after the original suspension due to a technicality, but has not been picked up by a team.
I do understand the purpose of the drug policy. It: A. stops players from using performance enhancers such as steroids and B. stops those who have problems with recreational use from playing, unless they get clean. But comparatively, the fact that one player hasn't been allowed to play for two years while two players who were charged criminally with assaulting other human beings have been allowed back in the league is very concerning. The fact that the NFL didn't look deeper into Winston's case and has yet to do anything regarding Manziel is shocking. I understand the NFL is a violent, no fun league, but the fact that it's players are punished longer for non-violent crimes versus the beating of women just shows exactly what kind of organization the NFL plans on being. A woman's life is apparently less important than a minor drug offense.
