Goodell suspends Jones, Henry for personal conduct

By: MIKE SULLIVAN - Staff Writer | Tuesday, April 10, 2007 9:44 PM PDT ∞

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell delivered a hard-hitting shot at player misconduct on Tuesday by suspending Tennessee's Adam "Pacman" Jones for the season and Cincinnati's Chris Henry for eight games.

The suspensions are for repeated violations of the NFL's personal conduct policy and for engaging in conduct detrimental to the league. Neither player will be paid while suspended.

The discipline was announced by the NFL in conjunction with the toughening of the league's personal conduct policies. The severity of the penalties certainly grabbed attention around the league.

"I knew he was a no-nonsense commissioner," Chargers general manager A.J. Smith said Tuesday afternoon. "I knew he was going to do something. He's a tough guy and he was tired of it.

"He made that pretty clear-cut this morning."

Jones, a standout defensive back for the Titans, has been involved in at least 10 off-field incidents since being drafted by Tennessee two years ago. He's currently under investigation for his actions in a shooting outside a Las Vegas strip bar that left one person paralyzed. Las Vegas police are recommending felony and misdemeanor charges against Jones.

Henry, a receiver, was arrested four times during a span of 14 months. Henry missed two games last season due to suspension and served a two-day jail sentence in January for allowing minors to drink alcohol in a hotel room he rented.

"We must protect the integrity of the NFL," Goodell said in a press release. "The highest standards of conduct must be met by everyone in the NFL because it is a privilege to represent the NFL, not a right.

"These players, and all members of our league, have to make the right choices and decisions in their conduct on a consistent basis."

Smith's Chargers have had their own troubles with player misconduct. The general manager promised in January that he would make changes and backed up his vow as the club parted ways with linebacker Steve Foley and safety Terrence Kiel, players who had multiple run-ins with the law. The Chargers also didn't tender a contract to restricted free-agent tight end Ryan Krause, who had a drunk-driving incident in January.

"We were embarrassed last year with the in-house stuff and we've cleaned that up," Smith said. "I totally agree with it. He made a really strong statement that makes it clear to the players that it won't be tolerated.

"I think it's terrific. It was the consensus of everyone that something needed to be done. Everybody is in support of what the commissioner is doing. He is tired of the image the league has."

The modifications to the personal conduct policy call for expanded educational and support programs and for larger fines and longer suspensions for players and league personnel who violate the policy.

Repeat violators will be dealt with aggressively and suspended individuals will have to earn their way back by undergoing professional counseling and treatment sessions that include regular evaluations.

The tougher policy was instituted with the support of the NFL Players Association, and there was an overwhelming feeling among players that some action was needed. Law-abiding players who do community service and are upstanding members of society have grown tired of being lumped in with the league's bad apples.

"We are definitely under the radar as players," Oakland linebacker Kirk Morrison, a former San Diego State standout, said by phone Tuesday. "We really have to watch what we do, who we hang around with and where we go. You always have to watch your surroundings.

"It's the right thing to clean it up, but people have to understand that football players are under the radar. These are everyday occurrences, and most of the guys are between (ages) 20 and 30. If one of my friends gets a DUI, nobody knows. If I were to get one, everybody would know."

Players Association executive director Gene Upshaw expressed his support for the personal conduct program through a league-issued press release.

"We believe that these are steps that the commissioner needs to take and we support the policy," Upshaw said. "It is important that players in violation of the policy will have the opportunity and the support to change their conduct and earn their way back."

Contact staff writer Mike Sullivan at (760) 739-6645 or msullivan@nctimes.com. Comment at sports.nctimes.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Notable NFL suspensions

1963 Paul Hornung, Packers

One year, gambling

1963 Alex Karras, Lions

One year, gambling

1983 Art Schlichter, Colts

Permanent ban, gambling

1989 Stanley Wilson, Bengals

Permanent ban, substance abuse

1989 Dexter Manley, Redskins

One year, substance abuse

1996 Leon Lett, Cowboys

19 games, substance abuse

2006 Ricky Williams, Dolphins

One year, substance abuse