Why NFL Players Should Comply In The Al-Jazeera Investigation | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Sports

Why NFL Players Should Comply In The Al-Jazeera Investigation

Allegations have been made against multiple players, but yet they hide behind their union and do not seem to want to clear their name.

16
Why NFL Players Should Comply In The Al-Jazeera Investigation
TV Week

Earlier this week, an ESPN editorial talked about PED accusations and about how player should avoid talking to the commissioner because of how the commissioner handled Deflate Gate. Now for those who do not know what Deflate Gate is: Deflate Gate came about when the New England Patriots staff purposely deflated the footballs so that their quarterback, Tom Brady, could better grip the ball in the poor weather conditions in their game against the Indianapolis Colts. During the game, a ball was intercepted and the Colts’ player who intercepted the ball believed that it was under-inflated. He took the ball to the equipment staff on their own sideline and the staff in turn brought it to league officials who determined the balls were in fact under-inflated. The league brought in an outside independent investigator to look into the incident, who determined that it was more probable than not that the balls were intentionally under-inflated and that Tom Brady knew about it. Now as a result, the New England staff members who tampered with the balls were suspended by the league and Brady was suspended for four games. Part of Brady’s suspension deals with the fact that he destroyed the phone in which there were text messages between him and the suspended Patriots’ staffers. If Brady were a part of a legal criminal investigation, what he did would be considered obstruction of justice for destroying evidence and he would face a penalty for that. So how could anyone say that he does not deserve to be suspended for some time?

However, back to the current issue at hand. Towards the end of last season, the now defunct Al-Jazeera America reported that five players had been taking drugs that were not legal in the NFL. The players named in the report are the now retired Peyton Manning, active players James Harrison, Clay Matthews, and Julius Peppers, and free agent Mike Neal. Soon after the report was released, the main subject who gave Al-Jazeera their information recanted what he had said while on camera. Now of the five, only Peyton Manning has come forward and been forth coming with the NFL and the allegations made against him. Since Peyton is a former player and is no longer a part of the union, he has represented his own best interests by clearing his name, which is what these other players should be doing. Why is it that the players are worried about these allegations, when in the collective bargaining agreement it says that they cannot be suspended by the NFL for violating the substance abuse policy unless they test positive for something that is on the banned list? Now a majority of NFL fans realize that the reporting done by Al-Jazeera America was a sham at best, done by a media organization that was trying to use shoddy journalism to gain a reputation here in America. In addition, James Harrison regularly posts videos to Instagram showing the amazing things that he does in the weight room to keep him out on the field even at age 38.

The only real people that took these allegations seriously are those fans who absolutely hate these players, and they only believe them for one reason, because their hate for those players leads them to believe that these players would rather take performance enhancing drugs than keep integrity in the NFL. Heck, James Harrison made headlines when he took his kids' participation ribbons, gave them back, and told his kids that the only instance in where they would get any recognition is if they won. How does a man with that kind of integrity decide one day that he is going to take performance enhancing drugs to stay in the league? The NFL is doing their job in investigating this report, even if it is a sham, because of the fact that if there is some truth to the allegations and they overlooked it, it would be a bad image for the NFL. So why is it that in the face of a suspension, did the players still hesitate to take these interviews? Everyone knows they're innocent, there is no reason for them to hide behind the union unless they are guilty and the longer that they spend hiding behind the union, the guiltier they look.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
friends
Photo by Elizeu Dias on Unsplash

If I have learned one thing in my lifetime, it is that friends are a privilege. No one is required to give you their company and yet there is some sort of shared connection that keeps you together. And from that friendship, you may even find yourself lucky enough to have a few more friends, thus forming a group. Here are just a few signs that prove your current friend group is the ultimate friend group.

Keep Reading...Show less
ross and monica
FanPop

When it comes to television, there’s very few sets of on-screen siblings that a lot of us can relate to. Only those who have grown up with siblings knows what it feels like to fight, prank, and love a sibling. Ross and Monica Geller were definitely overbearing and overshared some things through the series of "Friends," but they captured perfectly what real siblings feel in real life. Some of their antics were funny, some were a little weird but all of them are completely relatable to brothers and sisters everywhere.

Keep Reading...Show less
Sorority Girls
Owl Eyes Magazine

College is a great place to meet people, especially through Greek life. If you look closely at sororities, you'll quickly see there are many different types of girls you will meet.

1. The Legacy.

Her sister was a member, her mom was a member, all of her aunts were members, and her grandma was a member. She has been waiting her whole life to wear these letters and cried hysterically on bid day. Although she can act entitled at times, you can bet she is one of the most enthusiastic sisters.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

10 Reasons Why Life Is Better In The Summertime

Winter blues got you down? Summer is just around the corner!

450
coconut tree near shore within mountain range
Photo by Elizeu Dias on Unsplash

Every kid in college and/or high school dreams of summer the moment they walk through the door on the first day back in September. It becomes harder and harder to focus in classes and while doing assignments as the days get closer. The winter has been lagging, the days are short and dark, and no one is quite themselves due to lack of energy and sunlight. Let's face it: life is ten times better in the summertime.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

10 Things That Describe You and Your College Friends

The craziest, funniest, and most unforgettable college memories are impossible to create without an amazing group of friends.

227
College Friends
Marina Lombardi

1. You'll never run out of clothes when you have at least four closets to choose from.

2. You embrace and encourage each other’s horrible, yet remarkable dance moves.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments