*This is the second FAN SUBMISSION by Adam Jeffrey from NYC.*
I usually like to write about topics that have most of the guys in the office meeting at the water cooler on Monday mornings, usually debating and arguing over their beloved and perspective sports teams. In this instance, I am going to steer clear of the normal Monday morning banter.
NDAMUKONG SUH! While he is clearly not the first and most certainly won’t be the last, his glaring past and present transgressions speak volumes about his reckless and careless behavior on and off the football field. In my opinion, I believe that Commissioner Roger Goodell has got to send a message to this guy once and for all.
Courtesy: Paul Sanyca/AP
After two Thanksgiving Day fiascos involving Suh(a stomp to the arm of Packers’ lineman Evan Dietrich-Smith last season, and a kick to the groin of Texans’ QB Matt Schaub this season), he should be put on notice. He should be contacted by the league and notified that if there are any future violations of the players’ conduct rules, then he will be suspended for an entire season. Commissioner Goodell should not wait for another “Pacman” Jones situation to surface on his watch.
Besides Suh’s on-field antics, he’s had various off- the-field traffic violations and incidents over the past four seasons, dating back to his days as a University of Nebraska standout. The NFL has issued fines and suspensions to Ndamukong Suh, totaling nearly 250-thousand-dollars!
I’m a firm believer in giving someone a second chance, but in Suh’s case, he has received numerous chances to improve himself in the eyes of the NFL, yet it doesn’t seem to be sinking-in. In my opinion, if Suh were to be suspended for a season and lose the estimated 9.7-million-dollars playing for the Lions, he may finally wake-up and realize what a privilege it is to be in his position. I don’t think that’s too harsh of a penalty for a repeat offender, and that’s exactly what Suh is.
Courtesy: Washington Post
Those slaps on the wrist in the past (fines and two game suspensions from the NFL) have obviously had no effect on the guy; I compare it to the three-strikes-rule for criminals. Ndamukong Suh is way past that mark already and he needs to be stopped before someone is seriously hurt.
The NBA suspended Ron Artest, aka Metta World Peace, for his role in the “Palace Brawl.” In this situation, Artest was retaliating against unruly fans in Detroit, who thought it was a good idea to dump beer and soda onto an NBA player during a game. While I’m not whole-heartedly defending his actions, I have a certain level of understanding as a man and former athlete; Artest was defending himself against what he believed was unacceptable behavior by fans.
Suh was never in harm’s way in any of his situations; on the field, he has attacked defenseless players after the completion of plays. Off the field, he has shown poor judgment and no remorse for pedestrians or fellow motorists. If his past actions and their perceived “punishments” haven’t stopped his reckless behavior, then what will? Death? I hope it doesn’t come to that.
