Yes, you can cut a player based on off-the-field conduct

[Kirkendall]

So says J.A. Adande:

The thing is, NFL teams already have all the power they need to ditch the bad character guys. The second paragraph of the standard NFL contract requires the player to "conduct himself on and off the field with appropriate recognition of the fact that the success of professional football depends largely on public respect for and approval of those associated with the game." Later, the team is granted this authority: "If Player has engaged in personal conduct reasonably judged by Club to adversely affect or reflect on Club, then Club may terminate this contract."

http://www.latimes.com/sports/football/nfl...1&cset=true

[HoosierCat]

Yeah, the "personal conduct" clause. I suspect teams avoid exercising it because it's rather vague. Does, for instance, a DUI "public respect for and approval of those associated with the game"? Well, maybe. But there are a lot of guys with DUIs in the league and the seats still seem full and the TV ratings through the roof.

[Kirkendall]

J.A. goes on to make the point that teams never exercise it because they are so addicted to talent.

[muelleaw1]

Or the teams just don't want to buy a huge headache and lawsuit. The first ones to try to enforce that clause most like will have millions more in legal fees.

[duus]

You know, this makes me recall the comments I often hear folks say/write about professional sports players getting in trouble with the law. I have heard it so many times ... even recently on Mike & Mike they read an email from someone ... that 'in the real world' you would get fired by your company. Is that true? I have personally never been arrested or gotten any violation beyond a speeding ticket, yet my work experience tells me that 'firing' for these reasons simply doesn't happen. Now, surely if you bring the problem to the workplace, or it is obvious that it negatively impacts your ability to work, then that is a different story. But, in your personal professional life, have you ever seen someone fired for getting a DUI "over the weekend"? Or even someone who has gotten multiple DUIs ... do they get fired? My bet is that I have had many coworkers over the years that have been arrested for various things, yet I never knew about it.

I am not one to defend these guys, and honestly wouldn't care less if they were fired for such things (as some call for), but I just don't see the inconsistency with the 'real world' as so many others claim. Heck, I can say definitively that there is one thing in the workplace that HAS negatively impacted the work environment, and yet no one is ever fired for it ... adultery. I have unfortunately seen it numerous times over in the workplace, and every single time, the guy's work effort slips. Crazy.

[HairOnFire]

In regards to drunken players who disgrace the organization, why cut the player and open yourself up to lawsuits charging that he was dismissed improperly? Wouldn't it be much smarter to simply allow that player to play out his contract and then sign a free agent contract with Cleveland?

[SkinneymulleT]

You know, this makes me recall the comments I often hear folks say/write about professional sports players getting in trouble with the law. I have heard it so many times ... even recently on Mike & Mike they read an email from someone ... that 'in the real world' you would get fired by your company. Is that true? I have personally never been arrested or gotten any violation beyond a speeding ticket, yet my work experience tells me that 'firing' for these reasons simply doesn't happen. Now, surely if you bring the problem to the workplace, or it is obvious that it negatively impacts your ability to work, then that is a different story. But, in your personal professional life, have you ever seen someone fired for getting a DUI "over the weekend"? Or even someone who has gotten multiple DUIs ... do they get fired? My bet is that I have had many coworkers over the years that have been arrested for various things, yet I never knew about it.

I am not one to defend these guys, and honestly wouldn't care less if they were fired for such things (as some call for), but I just don't see the inconsistency with the 'real world' as so many others claim. Heck, I can say definitively that there is one thing in the workplace that HAS negatively impacted the work environment, and yet no one is ever fired for it ... adultery. I have unfortunately seen it numerous times over in the workplace, and every single time, the guy's work effort slips. Crazy.

I recall this conversation from.... and you were there kirkendall, and kazkal, and you scarecrow....hmmm...maybe it was just a dream!

[redsbengalsbucks]

In regards to drunken players who disgrace the organization, why cut the player and open yourself up to lawsuits charging that he was dismissed improperly? Wouldn't it be much smarter to simply allow that player to play out his contract and then sign a free agent contract with Cleveland?

sounds like a good deal, they should have tagged him so we could have gotten a draft pick for him also.

[duus]

I saw a report where Ohio is trying to get these bright green license plates for sex offenders' cars. Hmmm ... maybe any NFL player that has been arrested should be forced to wear a bright green jersey on the field of play. That'll teach 'em. On the other hand, I suppose folks will want to simply make green an official team color for us. Never mind ... I never cared for the color green.

[Kirkendall]

I saw a report where Ohio is trying to get these bright green license plates for sex offenders' cars. Hmmm ... maybe any NFL player that has been arrested should be forced to wear a bright green jersey on the field of play. That'll teach 'em. On the other hand, I suppose folks will want to simply make green an official team color for us. Never mind ... I never cared for the color green.

That wouldn't work. It would turn out to be a right of passage. But as long as we continue to put ourselves at a higher standard, this problem will always exist.

I recall this conversation from.... and you were there kirkendall, and kazkal, and you scarecrow....hmmm...maybe it was just a dream!

Well Skinney, I am dreamy.

[bengalsfansince68]

I did not care to sign up for the LA Times but I could not find such language on the CBA or standard player contract that is contained within it.

This is what the CBA says about conduct detrimental to the club:

Conduct detrimental to Club—maximum fine of an amount equal to one week’s salary and/or suspension

without pay for a period not to exceed four (4) weeks. This maximum applies without limitation to any

deactivation of a player in response to player conduct (other than a deactivation in response to a player’s onfield

playing ability), and any such deactivation, even with pay, shall be considered discipline subject to the

limits set forth in this section. The Non-Injury Grievance Arbitrator’s decision in Terrell Owens (Nov. 23,

2005) is thus expressly overruled as to any Club decision to deactivate a player in response to the player’s

conduct.

I am not sure how this works but I have attached a PDF file of the CBA or at least I tried to.