NFL, union mull punishments for college rule breakers

[stillers4me]

The National Football League, in conjunction with college football and the NFL Players Association, is considering a series of actions that would discipline players who are busted in college for violating NCAA rules, then skip to the pros unscathed.

A variety of league sources tell me the NFL would like to enact fines and possibly even suspensions for a player once he enters the NFL if that player was found to have broken rules while in college.

Such an action would be unprecedented in American professional sports. While it seems unlikely to survive legal challenges, it's an indication the NFL sees the increasing college scandals as a threat to its image. The main concern some in the NFL have is that college players have no fear of punishment once they reach the NFL so they behave with impunity on the college level..............

Read more @ http://www.cbssports.com/#!/nfl/stor...-rule-breakers

[fansince'76]

Maybe the NCAA needs to police itself better. I can just see a key player for a NFL team being suspended for a postseason game because something they did in college years before finally came to light. And therein lies the problem - why do these things always seem to be discovered years afterward?

[oneforthetoe]

I can't see the NFLPA agreeing to this. I also agree with the article that a suspension of a player for something he did in college would not likely withstand a legal challenge. Now, if we are talking about putting a player on some type of a "double secret probation" based on a felony conviction, say within 5 years of applying to play in the NFL, then I could see that working. However, suspending as player for simply violating NCAA rule is not going to fly, imo.

[BnG_Hevn]

If the NFL (32 teams) wanted, they could impose whatever they want regardless of what the "union" thinks or wants.

Example.

Player A screws up. The NFL (32 teams) say to him "Pay this fine or else you don't get drafted". The union can't force teams to drafter a player.

The real issue is timing when it comes to light. There has to be a statute of limitations (is that the name of it??). Anyway, I'd put in the contract a clause about disciplinary action of "said act comes to light". The player either signs the contract or they don't get paid, it's that simple.

Again, the NFL can take the player's choice, as well as the unions choice, right out of the equation.

[suitanim]

That's fine. They can penalize players for cheating and stuff in college as soon as they go back and strip post-season victories from the Pats for their cheating.

[oneforthetoe]

If the NFL (32 teams) wanted, they could impose whatever they want regardless of what the "union" thinks or wants.

Example.

Player A screws up. The NFL (32 teams) say to him "Pay this fine or else you don't get drafted". The union can't force teams to drafter a player.

The real issue is timing when it comes to light. There has to be a statute of limitations (is that the name of it??). Anyway, I'd put in the contract a clause about disciplinary action of "said act comes to light". The player either signs the contract or they don't get paid, it's that simple.

Again, the NFL can take the player's choice, as well as the unions choice, right out of the equation.

I have to disagree with you there. It is almost never that simple. You are correct that the NFLPA can't force teams to draft a player. However, if the owners all agree not to draft a specific player they open themselves up to a charge of collusion by the players. A collusion charge can be rather steep. MLB owners had to cough up 250+ million to settle a collusion charge from the 80's.

One thing that we should keep in mind is that the NFL really is a monopoly in most ways. The cusp of which means, when they take any action that is not proscribed in the CBA, they risk a lawsuit with some pretty serious consequences. Of course there are always going to be disagreements about language and the reach of the CBA, but owners are not going to risk working completely outside of the agreement.


As for Pryor, I think he is a special case (in more ways than one). He was trying to qualify for the supplemental draft when he really doesn't fit the definition for eligibility. In other words, he and the NFLPA were open to a negotiated settlement. I still do not believe that the NFLPA and it's players are going to agree to permit the NFL to punish draftees five years down the road for NCAA violations.

[venom]

Pryor will miss the first 5 games when drafted for what he did while in college. Reggie Bush lost his trophy for what he did in college while in the NFL. Pete Carroll ran away from USC to Seattle, without punishment from the NCAA . Rumors have it that Jim Tressel is hanging out with the Cleveland Browns . Im sure nothing will happen to him if he signs with the Browns one day . What Im saying , a player who commits infractions in the NCAA gets punished when/if they go to the NFL , but not the coach.

[oneforthetoe]

Pryor will miss the first 5 games when drafted for what he did while in college. Reggie Bush lost his trophy for what he did in college while in the NFL. Pete Carroll ran away from USC to Seattle, without punishment from the NCAA . Rumors have it that Jim Tressel is hanging out with the Cleveland Browns . Im sure nothing will happen to him if he signs with the Browns one day . What Im saying , a player who commits infractions in the NCAA gets punished when/if they go to the NFL , but not the coach.

That is a valid point. I think the difference is that Pryor had a very shaky argument that he was even eligible for the supplemental draft. Still, if I am a player I am thinking the same as your comment.

In the end the suspension of Pryor will probably be meaningless. He was unlikely to be playing his first season let alone the first five games.

[86WARD]

This would have to be in the CBA...no?

[oneforthetoe]

This would have to be in the CBA...no?

I think the NFLPA agreed to the decision in Pryor's case. So in essence it is in the CBA, at least as it applies to Pryor.

I am sure before Goodell could implement a policy he would need NFPLA approval (which is unlikely to happen - at least as it applies to old NCAA infractions).

[KeiselPower99]

Pryor being suspended is stupid. Its the NFL. He made a mistake in college. A line must be drawn somewhere. This crosses any line.

[BigNastyDefense]

This is bullshit, and I think Pryor is a douche, and I am a Buckeye fan.

The supplemental draft is for players that screwed up, for the most part. Every once in a while you get a player who thought he was going to get another year of eligibility an doesn't or a kid that graduates and can't go back for whatever reason. But for the most part, it's for people who broke rules and got caught, so they get ruled ineligible and want to now go to the NFL.

Want to punish the screw ups? Get rid of the supplemental draft. If they don't declare for the regular draft in April, they have to sit an entire season or play CFL or Arena League before going to the NFL.

[86WARD]

The whole Pryor situation is a cluster fuck of a joke with lies and stories coming from every direction. He shouldn't be on this draft, he bucked the system and in essence getting his way...wow, 5 games suspension for a rookie...lol.

And this whole issue about the NFL penalizing players for violations in the NCAA? That's a fucking joke. I'd LOVE to see the Bills or Bengals file a suit against GODdell for tampering during the Mike Vick return. Asshole.

BTW - with the steelers history with 4th round picks, I'd give one up to take a flyer on Pryor as a TE.