Porter hopes to put feud behind him

[WhoDeyForever]

Miami Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter told ESPN on Wednesday that he hopes to get past his fight with Cincinnati Bengals left tackle Levi Jones.

"I wish it never would have happened," Porter said. "I don't know how Levi feels, but the faster we can get this behind us, [the better]."

Jones told the Cincinnati Enquirer last week that during an altercation in a Las Vegas casino March 18, he was jumped by six other men from behind before Porter hit him. Porter was cited by police for misdemeanor battery and released. Police said the players, rivals on the field, exchanged trash talk at a casino blackjack table before the fracas.

"[Porter] got my attention from the front and wouldn't get near me until the six guys jumped me from behind, [then] he took part," Jones told the Enquirer. "What started everything was the dude hit me from behind. From then on, I had to protect myself. I was attacked by seven guys. I don't know what man is going to withstand that, especially with an NFL player involved.

"It was like that, it was problematic for me and my family, especially when the true story wasn't out there," Jones told the newspaper. "The particulars about how everything went down, I mean, ESPN, all they wanted to report was Joey Porter hit me in the face."

Porter told ESPN he was in Las Vegas to celebrate his mother's 50th birthday and would like to apologize to Jones.

"I don't mind calling him. If he truly believes, if he feels like I was wrong, I'm sorry," Porter said. "I can apologize. I am reaching out now."

The Bengals play at Miami in the teams' regular-season finale Dec. 30. Jones has previously said he isn't concerned with facing Porter on the field, but he didn't say if he would file a civil suit.

"We'll see how it plays out," he said.

"At the end of the day, none of us is going to get anything good out of this," he told the Enquirer.

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http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2833680

Did anybody see him on ESPN earlier? They got a video of it on the link..Looks like he is trying to suck up to Levi cause he knows he will get the s**t beat out of him

[Stripes]

If ESPN gives this story enough TV pub, maybe Roger will see fit to issue a suspension.

[duus]

I hate apologies that actually come with no admission of guilt. He never said he did anything wrong. All he says is if Levi thinks he did something wrong. I would not allow my children to ever apologize in this manner. But he'll get away with it.

[Defender]

"I don't mind calling him. If he truly believes, if he feels like I was wrong, I'm sorry," Porter said. "I can apologize. I am reaching out now."

Barry Bonds thinks this guy is a pretentious douchebag.

[duus]

"I don't mind calling him. If he truly believes, if he feels like I was wrong, I'm sorry," Porter said. "I can apologize. I am reaching out now."

Barry Bonds thinks this guy is a pretentious douchebag.

I just don't get how this sort of apology is 'reaching out'. This is obviously a guy who knows he is in the wrong and is hopeful of the least negative impact on himself. By wording it this way, it makes it sound like he did nothing wrong, but if the other guy sees it differently, then he will be 'the bigger man' and 'reach out'. Bogus.

[Defender]

Porter told ESPN he was in Las Vegas to celebrate his mother's 50th birthday...

Bullsh*t, he was there to see his mom's show at Scores.

[duus]

Porter told ESPN he was in Las Vegas to celebrate his mother's 50th birthday...

Bullsh*t, he was there to see his mom's show at Scores.

Perhaps he meant to simply say he was there to celebrate his mother's 50th ... and the word 'birthday' was just a mistake.

[Defender]

I just don't get how this sort of apology is 'reaching out'. This is obviously a guy who knows he is in the wrong and is hopeful of the least negative impact on himself. By wording it this way, it makes it sound like he did nothing wrong, but if the other guy sees it differently, then he will be 'the bigger man' and 'reach out'. Bogus.

This would be like Don Imus telling those Rutgers women's players that he's sorry if anyone took offense to what he said...

[rishipatel]

That "apology" was a bunch of crap. In addition to Duus' point that he never actually admits guilt, it was a blatantly obvious that the only reason he is even willing to "reach out" is that he's worried about getting suspended. I mean, how many times did he say that his reason for doing what it takes to put this behind him is that the Commisioner is coming down hard, and he doesn't want to "go to the principal's office". Straight up bulls**t.

I hope Levi lays him out when we play them. Actually, I hope Levi sues him, and then the video goes public so we can all see what truly happened.

[ShulaSteakhouse]

Porter is a punk a$$, classless piece of crap - I would hope Mr. Goodell suspends him this year for assaulting another player (or anybody) if he is found guilty in court.

[duus]

I just went to ESPNs site and saw the headline ...

"Porter offers to apologize to Jones for Vegas fight"

Then you go to the article and Porter says:

"If he truly believes, if he feels like I was wrong, I'm sorry."

Call me crazy, but the headline simply completely misrepresents what Porter actually says. He DOES NOT offer an apology for the FIGHT. If I was Jones, this would frustrate the heck out of me.

[jjakq27]

I mean, WTF, Levi did get all of his jewelry back right? Funny how the apology comes one day after the commish starts kicking ass too.

I guess that's what playing in Pittsburgh all those years will did to him. Couldn't beat Levi on the field so he got some help. Pretty pathetic.

And I have yet to get an answer on why the Steelers didn't even make Porter-let an offer to renegotiate to stay. We agonized about keeping KK and Simmons and they let Porter walk.....(overrated?)

[brau09]

if ol roge is goin to suspend henry for 8 because for doin a lil partyin and some traffic violations, pacman(which i do agree) for things he hasn't been convicted for, then he better suspend "thug" porter for gang-jumping (which he doesn't deny) another NFL player. i hope levi sues his a$$!

[redsbengalsbucks]

I too have been wondering why Porter was not suspended with this first group of players in the new conduct policy. Suspending A well established player would make a bigger statement than two players with less than 5 years in the league does.

He deserves to be reprimanded for such an act, at least as much as Henry was for his behavior.

[The PatternMaster]

"I don't mind calling him. If he truly believes, if he feels like I was wrong, I'm sorry," Porter said. "I can apologize. I am reaching out now."

Barry Bonds thinks this guy is a pretentious douchebag.

I said this when the story first broke and I'll say it again, I hope Levi files a civil suit regardless of the outcome of Porter's criminal trial. Levi needs to make a public show of this and force Goodell to take action against Porter.

Porter is worse than Pacman and Henry in my book, because he's been in the league for several years, he's experienced success and he is a more recognizable name and face than either of the young guys; simply put, he should know better. Porter is another repeat offender who has been involved in a shooting(although he was the victim, but know I can see why someone would want to shoot this a**h***), got into a pregame fight because of his mouth, he mis-represented the Steelers and the NFL by not taking off his stunner shades when he went to see the President after the Steelers won the * Bowl. He's a has been who is more cheerleader than football player, Goodell needs to finish taking out the trash and give Porter some of Pacman's medicine.

Levi, please sue this dips**t and tell him to take his bulls**t attempt to reach out and shove it up his ass. He should of thought of the reaction to his actions be he acted, get it? The only reason why Porter is even opening his mouth is because he knows he's right behind Tank in the line to see the new principal.

[princeton]

if ol roge is goin to suspend henry for 8 because for doin a lil partyin and some traffic violations...

and a weapons charge.

without the weapons charge, I doubt that Henry gets much of a suspension at all. But with the weapons charge... well, an idiot with a concealed weapon is a bound to get into a lot more trouble than a simple idiot.

but Henry just appears like he's going to get into a future assault. Porter, who's already conspiring and participating in assaults, is in the PacMan category and deserves a full year suspension.

[duus]

And now Geoff Hobson even writes the same misrepresentation of Porter's comments:

"Bengals left tackle Levi Jones has no comment and has yet to read or see the remarks in which Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter apologized for what Jones called a “cowardly assault” last month at a Las Vegas casino."

Yo, Geoff! .... Joey Porter DID NOT apologize! Ugh.

[Kirkendall]

If he apologizes, it will be to Levi -- not the press. So whether he has, did or will, is between those two. And personally, I could care less. That's a battle between those two. But I agree, he's in PR repair mode to show he's not an ass-clown to the Dolphins fans, and to make sure Roger goes easier on him.

Personally, I believe if Roger is serious about his conduct policy, that he'll do something with Porter. If he doesn't, well, then that will confirm that Goodell is nothing more than a hypocritical ass-clown.

[DC_Bengals_Fan]

If he apologizes, it will be to Levi -- not the press. So whether he has, did or will, is between those two. And personally, I could care less. That's a battle between those two. But I agree, he's in PR repair mode to show he's not an ass-clown to the Dolphins fans, and to make sure Roger goes easier on him.

Personally, I believe if Roger is serious about his conduct policy, that he'll do something with Porter. If he doesn't, well, then that will confirm that Goodell is nothing more than a hypocritical ass-clown.

That's not hypocrisy. Hypocrisy would be if Goodell were himself actually committing the acts that he's punishing. Goodell's simply cleaning up the s**t in this league and it's long overdue.

According to the new policy, a guy can be hit for an arrest if he's already been convicted of something, I believe. So I think we'll have to wait to see if Porter pleads or is convicted in this case. If Levi settles it quietly it would tie Goodell's hands under the policy he just created.

So let's wait to see what happens until we start insulting the man. We wouldn't want to look like a bunch of homers who are upset because he suspended our own personal assclown, would we?

[Kirkendall]

If he apologizes, it will be to Levi -- not the press. So whether he has, did or will, is between those two. And personally, I could care less. That's a battle between those two. But I agree, he's in PR repair mode to show he's not an ass-clown to the Dolphins fans, and to make sure Roger goes easier on him.

Personally, I believe if Roger is serious about his conduct policy, that he'll do something with Porter. If he doesn't, well, then that will confirm that Goodell is nothing more than a hypocritical ass-clown.

That's not hypocrisy. Hypocrisy would be if Goodell were himself actually committing the acts that he's punishing. Goodell's simply cleaning up the s**t in this league and it's long overdue.

According to the new policy, a guy can be hit for an arrest if he's already been convicted of something, I believe. So I think we'll have to wait to see if Porter pleads or is convicted in this case. If Levi settles it quietly it would tie Goodell's hands under the policy he just created.

So let's wait to see what happens until we start insulting the man. We wouldn't want to look like a bunch of homers who are upset because he suspended our own personal assclown, would we?

You don't have to be arrested to be in violation of the conduct policy.

[DC_Bengals_Fan]

You don't have to be arrested to be in violation of the conduct policy.

This from PFT, for what it's worth:

3. "Repeat violations of the personal conduct policy will be dealt with aggressively, including discipline for repeat offenders even when the conduct itself has not yet resulted in a conviction of a crime."

As to item No. 3, it appears that a conviction or guilty plea will still be required in order to get a player "in the pipeline." But after that initial guilty plea or conviction, the "wrong place at the wrong time" defense likely won't cut it anymore.

Under that interpretation, which sounds reasonable, Porter would have to be convicted of something to get him into the system before he could be suspended for an arrest. Has he been convicted of anything before?

If this stuff is on tape as has been claimed, getting a conviction shouldn't be hard anyway.

[BengalChamps]

I read that the 7 against 1 assault is caught on tape. This would help Levi case so much that Port-o-let is trying to "apologize" to keep from being sued.

Levi's kicked his ass on field... now its time to kick his ass in court!!

[Kirkendall]

You don't have to be arrested to be in violation of the conduct policy.

This from PFT, for what it's worth:

3. "Repeat violations of the personal conduct policy will be dealt with aggressively, including discipline for repeat offenders even when the conduct itself has not yet resulted in a conviction of a crime."

As to item No. 3, it appears that a conviction or guilty plea will still be required in order to get a player "in the pipeline." But after that initial guilty plea or conviction, the "wrong place at the wrong time" defense likely won't cut it anymore.

Under that interpretation, which sounds reasonable, Porter would have to be convicted of something to get him into the system before he could be suspended for an arrest. Has he been convicted of anything before?

If this stuff is on tape as has been claimed, getting a conviction shouldn't be hard anyway.

Not true. Conduct policy states:

Unless the case involves significant bodily harm, a first offense will generally not result in discipline until there has been a disposition of the proceeding.

There was bodily harm.

Three things.

1. Careful using PFT as your source.

2. The fact you have to use the word "interpretation" is dangerous when defining rules.

3. Here's the actual wording to the conduct policy that drew my interest:

When criminal activity is clearly outside the scope of permissible conduct, and persons who engage in criminal activity will be subject to discipline, the standard of conduct for persons employed in the NFL is considerably higher. It is not enough simply to avoid being found guilty of a crime. Instead, as an employee of the NFL or a member club, you are held to a higher standard and expected to conduct yourself in a way that is responsible, promotes the values upon which upon which the league is based, and is lawful.

[DC_Bengals_Fan]

You don't have to be arrested to be in violation of the conduct policy.

This from PFT, for what it's worth:

3. "Repeat violations of the personal conduct policy will be dealt with aggressively, including discipline for repeat offenders even when the conduct itself has not yet resulted in a conviction of a crime."

As to item No. 3, it appears that a conviction or guilty plea will still be required in order to get a player "in the pipeline." But after that initial guilty plea or conviction, the "wrong place at the wrong time" defense likely won't cut it anymore.

Under that interpretation, which sounds reasonable, Porter would have to be convicted of something to get him into the system before he could be suspended for an arrest. Has he been convicted of anything before?

If this stuff is on tape as has been claimed, getting a conviction shouldn't be hard anyway.

Not true. Conduct policy states:

Unless the case involves significant bodily harm, a first offense will generally not result in discipline until there has been a disposition of the proceeding.

There was bodily harm.

Three things.

1. Careful using PFT as your source.

2. The fact you have to use the word "interpretation" is dangerous when defining rules.

3. Here's the actual wording to the conduct policy that drew my interest:

When criminal activity is clearly outside the scope of permissible conduct, and persons who engage in criminal activity will be subject to discipline, the standard of conduct for persons employed in the NFL is considerably higher. It is not enough simply to avoid being found guilty of a crime. Instead, as an employee of the NFL or a member club, you are held to a higher standard and expected to conduct yourself in a way that is responsible, promotes the values upon which upon which the league is based, and is lawful.

Interesting. I suppose the end result would still hang on the definition of 'significant', in other words was Levi significantly hurt? Unfortunately all these sorts of rules are open to interpretation; then again, if they were clearly defined there would be too many loopholes.

[WhoDeyForever]

I read that the 7 against 1 assault is caught on tape. This would help Levi case so much that Port-o-let is trying to "apologize" to keep from being sued.

Levi's kicked his ass on field... now its time to kick his ass in court!!

Amen to that. Porter is screwed.