NFL player gets measly 1-game suspension after 3 off-field incidents in 17 months
Ever since he became NFL commissioner, Roger Goodell has talked about “protecting the shield,” a reference to the NFL’s logo.
But time and time again, Goodell shows such inconsistent standards when doling out punishment that he’s damaging the shield.
Tom Brady received four games for “Deflategate,” Ezekiel Elliott was suspended six games for alleged domestic abuse while Jameis Winston only received three for allegedly groping a female. Now players who kneel for the national anthem may be benched as well.
Now comes the case of a player who was involved in three off-field incidents in 17 months, but has only been suspended for one game.
Let’s recap the last year-and-a-half for Jaguars defensive end Dante Fowler Jr.
In February of 2016, a video went viral of Fowler apparently encouraging a fight between his girlfriend and the mother of his child, then standing off to the side while he watched the two women try to injure each other.
After this incident, Fowler issued a statement of apology, but wasn’t disciplined.
The next month, he was arrested in Miami Beach and charged with assaulting a police officer, and resisting arrest without violence.
The Jags star finished a pre-trial intervention program, and the charges were dropped.
If you’re keeping count at home, that’s two strikes.
Strike three is a bit of a mystery.
The NFL hasn’t said what specifically caused this suspension, but here’s what we believe was the reason.
In March, Fowler pleaded no contest to battery, criminal mischief and petty theft stemming from an arrest in July 2017.
As a result, he received one year of probation and 75 hours of community service. He was also fined $925.
Fowler was the third pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, but missed his rookie season with a torn ACL.
Despite starting only one game during his career, the defensive end broke out last season with eight sacks for Jacksonville’s defense, which ranked sixth in the NFL.
As is the case with most suspensions, Fowler will be allowed to participate in team practices and preseason games.
He will miss the Jaguars’ season opener against the New York Giants.
Fowler is eligible to be back on the field for Week 2 for an AFC Championship rematch in Foxborough with the Patriots.
He is in the final season of a four-year, $23.5 million contract.
Not sure how Fowler’s one-game suspension “protects the shield,” but you can be sure the Jaguars know it could have been worse.
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