Show NFL Commissioner stands firm on Zero Tolerance policy Danny Sudbury Sports Editor NFL Commissioner is suspend ng multiple players of late according to his new Zero Tolerance policy It seems that bad boys of the NFL arent aren't going to cut it anymore Three players in inthe inthe inthe the last few months have been affected by this new policy Cincinnati's number three receiver Chris Henry Chicago Bears' Bears defensive tackle Tank Johnson and Tennessee Ti tans Adam Jones Chris Henry faces an game eight-game suspension for being arrested four times in 14 months and serving two days in jails last January for providing minors with witha a place to drink alcohol Henry has also had several traffic violations last month one of which was driving with a suspended license Last year nine of Cincinnati's players were arrested during a nine- nine month period Goodell even personally visited the team and warned them to watch their conduct Chicago's Tank Johnson Johnsonis is also facing an eight- eight game suspension Johnson violated probation on a firearms charge and spent L L u two months in the Cook County jail Johnson is accepting his punishment and seems to believe it to tobe tobe tobe be in the best interest of the league Goodell could reduce the suspension to six games if Johnson has no more encounters with the law and seeks counseling If Johnsons Johnson's suspension lasts the entire eight games he could lose of his 5 salary for next season Adam Jones of the Tennessee Titans Titans' is suspended for the entire season Jones and two others face charges on a confrontation in a Las Vegas strip club that produced a triple shooting leaving a bouncer paralyzed Jones was released after surrendering to police on bail He is scheduled for foran an initial court appearance on July 23 Goodell is really trying to send a message that he will not tolerate misconduct by players He wants players to uphold a positive image while they represent the NFL The Zero Tolerance policy is one thing among others that Goodell implements to straighten up the athletes The NFL kicked off its annual rookie symposium last Sunday The symposium is for rookies to educate and enlighten them about the league but with the suspension of the three players mentioned earlier one topic in particular will stand out among the rest Everything always comes back to how you conduct yourself said Troy Vincent president of the NFL Player Association Vincent is one of several speakers who spoke at the congregation The program includes teaching young athletes life skills personal finances football operations the league substance abuse policy career planning and any situations that might confront a rookie Commissioner Roger Goodell addressed the rookies Monday morning The program al also o includes workshops where young athletes can get instantaneous feedback on questions of various themes depending on what session it is Different themes hemes include evaluating investments what their first training camp will be like and how to get ready for life after they retire |