Developing: Adrian Peterson Suspended for Rest of NFL Season

It appears the 2014 season will be a total loss for Adrian Peterson.

Word is circulating that the Minnesota Vikings star running back has been told he will be suspended without pay for at least the remainder of this football season by the NFL.

Peterson has already missed 8 weeks while on the voluntary "Suspended With Pay Exemption" list after facing charges that he beat his 4-year old son with a switch.

He (Peterson), got a plea deal in that case and was not looking at any jail time. The NFL also told Peterson that any other violations of the "Personal Conduct Policy" could subject him to banishment from the NFL.

According to reports, if Peterson decides to appeal the decision, he will remain on the "Exempt" list during that time.

He has three days to decide whether to file that appeal.

UPDATED--

The NFLPA did not wait, going immediately on record stating they will file an appeal on Peterson's behalf.

Also--the NFL and the Jolly Roger himself sent a letter to Peterson stating several terms of his potential reinstatement, which would not happen before April of 2015.

Among them:

---Peterson will be enrolled in counseling and treatment programs assigned by the league

Also, he explained the reasoning behind the decision which included:

---The use of the switch, which in the eyes of the league constituted a weapon.
---Inflicting injury on a child
---And the lack of meaningful remorse over what happened.

This should all be dealt with, one way or the other by the end of this week. With the 3-day limit on the appeal, we would anticipate the appeal would be heard very quickly.

As for what the NFL will do, well, they've already made that obvious.

Report: NFL Begins to Spin Their Ray Rice Efforts

((ht: abcnews.go.com))

Oh boy. We should have known this might be coming but never the less it's interesting to see how the NFL's PR machine is spinning how the league "investigated" the Ray Rice incident.

The NFL's chief spokesman went to ABC News and told them about "efforts" to uncover the Rice video and a detailed report of what happened.

It doesn't appear the leagues investigative arm spent a lot of time worrying about it.

McCarthy tells ABC that the league "Reached out to multiple law enforcement agencies and a court" in an effort to get to the bottom of what happened.

The NFL tried two more times to ask agencies completely unrelated to the investigation over the next 4-months to try and get more information about what happened.

They got nothing

Read the entire ABCNews story RIGHT HERE

---Sigh---

This is the "Vaunted" NFL Security at work? Really?

The NFL wants YOU to believe that calling the wrong agencies and not following up was enough to say they "thoroughly" investigated a crime committed by one of their players?

Um....okay.

Even a rookie journalist would have known who to call for more information about the incident. And while they may not have gotten any further, at least they would have officially known that.

ABC also mentioned that the NFL never tried to contact either agency who actually had the Rice video. Maybe they didn't know who to call.

But at least a cursory call to oh, say, the Atlantic County (City) Prosecutor's office might have been a good place to start.

It's appalling that the NFL actually is selling this storyline to news agencies. And we just hope than none of them buy into the line of crap.

They are essentially calling their "Security" arm incompetent, stupid and not particularly thorough. And hey, maybe they are to blame for the lack of follow up. It would also explain why the league has been more concerned about marijuana suspensions than actual serious crimes over the past decade or two.

But if this truly IS the story that they are floating about what they've been doing, they've got quite a bit more to worry about...

Report: Roger Goodell and DeMaurice Smith to Consult Charlie Strong on Discipline

Roger Goodell

((ht:texas.247sports.com))

Huh?

According to reports by noted University of Texas insider Chip Brown, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and NFLPA Head DeMaurice Smith are seeking out Longhorns head coach Charlie Strong about Strong's "Core Values".

Specifically, Brown lists Strong's commitment to having his Longhorns live up to the Core Values, which are 1) Honesty, 2) Treat Women with respect, 3) No Drugs, 4) No Stealing and 5) No Guns.

Anyone on the Texas roster who fails to live up to that gets dropped. And thus far, Strong has dismissed 9 players and suspended 3 more for not living up to them.

Read more from Texas.247sports.com RIGHT HERE

Interesting thought process here. We respect what Charlie Strong is trying to do at Texas win, lose or otherwise. It's the way a College Football program SHOULD be run.

And the "Core Values" are something that should be a given for all athletes and quite honestly, for people in general to emulate. Really, it is.

But for the NFL, the problem runs a bit deeper. We think it would be great if the league adopted this to base there discipline rules on. But how do you enforce it?

The NFL's problem from day 1 is they never seemed to take these problems as seriously as society does. As long as the team gets their player back, nobody seemed to care.

But if Goodell and Smith are indeed serious and looking for opportunities to come up with a better system/program to institute, then by all means--go for it...
char

Ravens Owner Says Rice Leaked Info To ESPN for Investigation

By now, if you are following the ongoing saga of the NFL and Ray Rice, you are probably aware of a story released by ESPN's Outside the Lines saying the Ravens knew everything and tried help hide the existence of the damning "elevator" video.

In case you haven't read it, you can read the Don Van Natta and Kevin Van Valkenburg investigation RIGHT HERE

Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti came out firing, accusing Rice, his friends and his defense team of leaking information, trying to help build a case for Rice to return to football at some point in time.

He also publicly apologized for not following through and trying to look at the video inside the elevator at the New Jersey Casino. He admitted he was wrong and and wishes he could do it over again.

Bisciotti simultaneously released a letter to the Ravens fan base which is posted on their website: (A brief summary)

--Bisciotti reiterates this: "As I stated to you in my letter on September 9th, we did not do all we should have done and no amount of explanation can remedy that. But there has been no misdirection or misinformation by the Ravens"

--A statement by Ravens head of security Darren Sanders who is been alleged to have seen or informed of the inside the elevator video shortly after Ray Rice punched Janay Rice in the elevator:

“I did not receive an account of what happened in the elevator “within hours” of the incident.  Within a couple of days, I asked the casino and the Atlantic City Police Department for a copy of any videotape of the incident.  They said they could not release a copy of the videotape to me.  Some days later—I believe it was on February 25—I spoke to an Atlantic City police official again, asking again whether I could get a copy of the tape or, if not, whether I could come to his New Jersey office and view it. He said I could not, but he did offer to view the tape and describe what he saw."

---A statement by team G.M Ozzie Newsome who is alleged to have been told exactly what happened by Rice.

“I did not receive an account of what happened in the elevator “within hours” of the incident.  Within a couple of days, I asked the casino and the Atlantic City Police Department for a copy of any videotape of the incident.  They said they could not release a copy of the videotape to me.  Some days later—I believe it was on February 25—I spoke to an Atlantic City police official again, asking again whether I could get a copy of the tape or, if not, whether I could come to his New Jersey office and view it. He said I could not, but he did offer to view the tape and describe what he 
saw. "

--And then this, countering the allegation Bisciotti offered Rice a job after releasing him. And that the offer was made for "hush" money:

“I did not receive an account of what happened in the elevator “within hours” of the incident.  Within a couple of days, I asked the casino and the Atlantic City Police Department for a copy of any videotape of the incident.  They said they could not release a copy of the videotape to me.  Some days later—I believe it was on February 25—I spoke to an Atlantic City police official again, asking again whether I could get a copy of the tape or, if not, whether I could come to his New Jersey office and view it. He said I could not, but he did offer to view the tape and describe what he saw. "

You can read the entire statement countering all points of the article RIGHT HERE

Bisciotti spent a good portion of the time talking about his surprise the NFL did not know about the video and not thinking to ask Rice's lawyer, who DID have the tape, to see it.

He also got emotional denying that he lobbied NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell for a shorter suspension for Rice initially saying, "Why would I do that?" "I played golf with the commissioner but nobody has ever accused us of being friends" "I expected a 4-6 game suspension for Ray, not 2"

Another strong statement: The NFL has never escalated domestic violence to the level of bar fights and drugs. And to be honest, he's right. He's done a strong job of stating the NFL's weakness, inequity and lack of a strong discipline policy. He also said this is a great opportunity for the league and for Goodell to take the lead and change and elevate the response to domestic violence.

To his credit, Bisciotti was quite a bit more open and emotional than NFL commissioner Roger Goodell when talking about the issue. He did not hide behind vagueness, he was upset he and his team's integrity was being questioned. And his team came prepared to repute every aspect of ESPN's report.

We suspect the truth in this matter, like most, lies somewhere between these two stories. But props to Bisciotti and the Ravens team for being prepared and able to explain every accusation.

We hope to god this is the end of the lengthy press conferences about this subject. It happened. It was horrible. A lot of people made a lot of mistakes. Let's find out who did and when the time is right, release the information.

But until then, we are ready for the Sports world to move on.

ESPN Eviscerates Ravens and NFL's Ray Rice Explanation

((ht: espn.com))

Oh boy! Nothing like dropping a bombshell on a Friday night. But man, if you are following the saga of the NFL, Baltimore Ravens and how they handled the Ray Rice incident, this is huge.

ESPN's Outside the Line produced a detailed report that went into great behind the scenes detail to explain what the Baltimore Ravens and the NFL may or may not have known while investigating now former Raven Ray Rice.

You can read their fantastically detailed report RIGHT HERE

Yeah...

The report cites multiple sources who say the Ravens knew quite a bit more about what happened than they let on. But they gave Rice the benefit of the doubt because of the good deeds he'd done for them.

But it also details Rice's lawyer seeing the videotape long before it was made public and making the team aware of it. In fact, they apparently knew just hours after the February incident, exactly what happened. Which DIRECTLY contradicts what team owner Steve Bisciotti has gone on the record saying.

It also speaks about Ravens coach John Harbaugh wanting Rice gone immediately after hearing about what happened. Harbaugh was overruled by team president Dick Cass and G.M Ozzie Newsome. Harbaugh apparently tried again when two other players got in trouble to cut those two along with Rice. Again he was overruled. This all happened before the video became public.

Essentially, the report calls the Ravens liars.

And Roger Goodell along with his investigators are not spared. While not saying Goodell himself actually saw the video, the NFL itself was apparently well aware of what happened. The report does portray Goodell as regretting his decision early in the process, but he eventually bowed to pressure from the Ravens to do them a favor.

Again, you REALLY need to watch this report. If you thought highly of the NFL and their credibility before, this should end it. Of course the Jolly Roger's press conference on Friday didn't help things much either.

Here's your video story from ESPN.com:

Roger Goodell Speaks: Finally

The Jolly Roger finally came out of hiding Friday afternoon and held a press conference.

And he began the press conference by apologizing, by stating he made a mistake, he did the wrong thing in the Ray Rice case.

He began by saying; "I got it wrong, I'm sorry, but now I will get it right" He later added; "The same mistakes can never be repeated. We will do whatever is necessary to make that happen".

Goodell was also asked "Have you considered resigning? I have not. I'm focused on doing my job and doing it to the best of my ability."

But when pressed on the Ray Rice question, there was a problem. Goodell was asked about the difference between what Rice told him and what the video showed, he said that he wouldn't answer because the case is under appeal and he "respects the appeals process".  Um, Mr. Commish? Did you not say during this presser that investigations would be transparent?

He also maintained his belief that nobody at the league office saw the Rice video, despite the Associated Press report to the contrary.

Perhaps the most telling question of the Rice incident came from a TMZ reporter who asked how the NFL couldn't get access to the story. The reporter said "It took us one phone call".

And he spoke at length about Robert Mueller and his pending review of what the NFL did and his "search for answers". However, Mueller's past legal work and ties to the league were brought into question. Goodell says he didn't believe it would be a conflict. Uh..yeah.

Roger Goodell also spelled out a slew of new initiatives which he says will place the NFL in a leadership role and set an example of what is right and what is wrong.

**It should also be noted that the presser was crashed by someone from the Howard Stern show. Which may have been the most human moment of the whole event.

Among the initiatives:

---A partnership with the National Domestic Violence Hotline and National Sexual Violence Resource Center.

--Changes to the personal conduct policy. Goodell noted "Nothing is off the table"

---An updated conduct committee of outside experts (that should be interesting) that will be in place according to Goodell, "By the Super Bowl".

Bottom Line: An apologetic Goodell is playing the sympathy card. To his credit he's owning the mistake.  Classic PR 101, ask for forgiveness to help take the focus of the problem off of you.

But he also, once the questioning began, became the typically vague and condescending person he's been criticized in the media for being. He was very vague about his committee's, extremely vague when pressed about the Rice issue and vague about discipline and his standing with the ownership.

And there within lies the rub. It was a classic NFL press conference that didn't sound nearly as apologetic that it was presented as being. While admitting the obvious, both he and the league made mistakes, really nothing else was accomplished by doing this.

It came across strictly as a PR event to make Goodell be visible again. He's taken a ton of heat and has totally avoided the public over the last couple of weeks. And his handlers understood he had to say something. But he needed to come across as a human being in this press conference.

He didn't.

Family: Brandon Marshall Abused Daughter and Not Investigated by NFL

We aren't quite sure what to make of this.

In light of the NFL's worst week ever and the domestic abuse problems that Ray Rice and others have shown on the league, there may be more.

The family of Rasheedah Watley came forward with noted lawyer Gloria Allred in Atlanta Wednesday afternoon charging Roger Goodell, the NFL and the Denver Broncos (team at the time) essentially let receiver Brandon Marshall off easy after a long history of abusing Watley. He also spoke about a letter he sent to the NFL and how they essentially did not respond to him.

Along with the family, a friend Kristeena Spivey came out and spoke of an incident in 2009 where Marshall is alleged to have rammed her car and threw a concrete brick through the windshield. Marshall had initially been suspended for 3 games, that suspension was reduced to 1 game.

Watley's father Clarence spoke at length about the history between his daughter and Marshall dating back to Marshall's time at UCF in 2006 and supposedly dating back as far as the 8th grade.

Pro Football Talk reminds us what happened in 2009 RIGHT HERE

It should be noted, in 2009, Watley and Marshall's lawyers exchanged e-mails asking for 6-figures to make this all go away and not press charges.

The whole sordid affair was part of an ESPN Outside the Lines episode back in 2009.



For her part, Allred and Watley's father are calling for Roger Goodell's head. For which they can add their names to the list. The question that many people have today though is: Why bring this up now?

Is it the timing?

We don't dispute that Marshall may have done some horrible things and deserved to be punished more effectively 5-years ago. But he wasn't. And Allred and the Watley's may have a legitimate beef here, we don't doubt that either. If Marshall did what he was alleged to do at that time, he most definitely deserved a stiffer penalty. And yeah, more than likely, the NFL didn't handle it well. It's now been documented as to how bad they've handled domestic violence cases in the past.

But why bring it up now?

There have been multiple opportunities to discuss this, to bring it up in the open over the years, before and after this incident took place. And it wasn't. Unfortunately, while a horrible issue that should have been addressed at the time wasn't, bringing it up TODAY smacks of opportunism.

Allred says it's about what the NFL should do in the future.

There are no charges filed here and there are no investigations involved. So why are we now talking about this today? It smells an awful lot like the set-up to a lawsuit.

Here's the latest from the presser
((HT: MyFoxAtlanta))
Atlanta News, Weather, Traffic, and Sports | FOX 5

And, Now, AP Is "Exempt..." Until Further Notice

((HT: KMSP-TV))

Nothing like a middle of the night missive...

The Wilf's have decided to go against their previous team decision and now have placed Adrian Peterson on a Commissioner's Exempt List- which the HQ thinks only Michael Vick was on previously.

AP has been "asked," "encouraged," or whatever verb you can pick for this situation to stay away from all Vikings team activities until further notice- when his legal issues are taken care of through legal channels.

Here's the morning news- or the "middle of the night" news...


The Wilfs made the decision to avoid any kind of exposure in front of cameras until they could control the situation for their own benefit- translation: a press conference where they may or may not show up themselves and can have GM Rick Spielman defend an undefendable position.

A press conference is set for later this morning and we'll update you then...

Surprising No One, NFLPA Appeals Rice Suspension

((HT: ESPN))

Double jeopardy doesn't work in any formation of the law- and that inclues the implementation of suspensions in the NFL.

The NFLPA is challenging the indefinite suspension of former Baltimore Ravens RB Ray Rice on the grounds that he was penalized for the same infraction twice. No matter how repulsive the charge and action, the NFLPA is doing the job that you would expect an association to do to back up one of their employees.

"This action taken by our union is to protect the due process rights of all NFL players," the NFL Players Association said in a statement. "The NFLPA appeal is based on supporting facts that reveal a lack of a fair and impartial process, including the role of the office of the commissioner of the NFL. We have asked that a neutral and jointly selected arbitrator hear this case as the commissioner and his staff will be essential witnesses in the proceeding and thus cannot serve as impartial arbitrators."

Jeff Saturday discusses:


Rice can apply for reinstatement when he convinces NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell that he is "addressing this issue." Rice is in a diversion program at present and he could get the assault charged expunged if he completes it successfully.

But here's how the HQ sees this playing out...

The NFLPA will challenge, and will win their case. But no one will hire Ray Rice as an employee in the NFL (or any other league for that matter). This black-balling will cause Rice to sue the NFL for wrongful termination and the league and the player will be in court in an ugly case with a high-profile attorney defending his right to work.

This is FAR from over...

Your Daily Keith Olbermann Rant On AP And The Vikes

((HT: ESPN/Olbermann))

This opening rant was so incisive that the network cut it in two...
Both parts are electric...


And the HQ reminds everyone that KO hasn't been this fired up since he was on Bush 43's daily messes...


He's on a roll and we'll keep posting as long as he is on fire...

ESPN: Rice Told Goodell He Hit Fiancee In June

((HT: ESPN))

Which would immediately contradict the interview he gave Norah O'Donnell Tuesday night for CBS.

Which would NOT be good...

Here's Don Van Natta with John Anderson


Former FBI chief Robert Mueller is now leading an independent inquiry of how the Rice situation has been handled to date overseen by New York Giants owner John Mara and Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney.

No word on a timetable for the investigation to be completed, but it does appear that Ray Rice is going to appeal his suspension early next week. The HQ figures that Rice's legal team will argue that the suspension is a direct violation of the NFL by-laws that state the Commissioner can not suspend someone for the same violation twice.

Meanwhile, CBS Sports James Brown got to ask Ravens owner Steve Biscioti about the surveillance tape as well...

Your Daily Keith Olbermann Rant On Roger Goodell

((HT: ESPN))

And it's worth your time on how the NFL Commissioner should now just give up on the idea of resigning and should just be fired


Two in a row...

Wanna go for three...???

Oh Boy!: AP Reports Law Enforcement Documents Sending Rice Tape to NFL

((ht: associatedpress.org))

Oh geez!

The Associated Press reported late Wednesday afternoon that a law enforcement official claims he sent a video of the Ray Rice incident with his wife in the New Jersey Casino elevator back in April.

The source played a voicemail from an NFL office phone number confirming they got the video, thanking law enforcement and stating "You're right, it's terrible".

The same source did tell the AP they "technically" weren't authorized to share the video and couldn't confirm if anyone else had actually seen it.

The source, who isn't named in the story, said he sent a DVD copy of the video and included his contact info. (Which wouldn't make him much of a secret to the NFL, ya think?)

Goodell has repeatedly denied he or anyone else in his office were aware of the video.

We thinks someone or several someone's got some splainin' to do...(starting with you Jolly Roger)

Roger Goodell: Calls For His Head Increasing Fast (UPDATED)

((Ed Note--This was written before the breaking news late Wednesday that Law Enforcement officials tell the Associated Press they sent the NFL a copy of the video in question back in April. Source is not yet apparent, but this does not look good))

So, we can now add the National Organization for Women to the list of outside the NFL groups and writers calling for the resignation of NFL commissioner Roger Goodell in the wake of the Ray Rice scandal.

And they make a fairly good argument quite honestly.

The group (NOW) issued a press release on their website stalking about the issues currently facing the league.

---The arrest of 49ers DT Ray McDonald who is playing while facing domestic violence charges.
---Greg Hardy of the Panthers, who is playing after being convicted of choking his ex-girlfriend and threatening to kill her
--The latest circus surrounding Cowboys owner Jerry Jones who is being accused of sexually assaulting a woman.

NOW says "The only workable solution is for Roger Goodell to resign, and for his successor to appoint an independent investigator with full authority to gather factual data about domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking within the NFL community and to recommend real and lasting reforms."

Read the entire release from NOW RIGHT HERE

Multiple Sports columnists in TV, Newspaper and on the web have been highly critical of the commissioner who essentially has pled innocence to knowing about the TMZ/Casino elevator tape showing Ray Race sucker punching his now wife Janay.

We won't get to the tape anymore, because the story is now what did the NFL know? And did they just pretend this issue would go away?

For their part, the NFL Owners have come out and said Goodell is safe. But how will they react the next time a big issue comes up?

Everyone brings up the line Goodell used on the New Orleans Saints last year "Ignorance of what's going on within your organization is no excuse". How does he stand now issuing the same line?

Not well. In the grand scheme of things, yeah, sure, most people are appalled about what happened with the Rice incident and they should be. And you can argue there's a segment of the population that is tired of Athletes, mostly pros, getting preferential treatment when they do something stupid. Which happens in the NFL, a lot.

But to make the argument there's an overwhelming public outcry is probably an overstatement. The guy giving up 6-months of pay for seasons tickets doesn't care as long as his team wins. And as long as the TV ratings continue skyrocketing while the revenue pot grows every year, the league won't be in a hurry to do something drastic.

That being said, to a lot of people who do pay attention to such things, they (The NFL) are running out of "Get out of Jail Free" cards. Right, wrong or otherwise, the perception is they have a crime problem and now are willing to overlook things.

At some point, maybe not today, but soon...it's going to catch up to them.

((NOTE--The Ravens, albeit a little late, admitted on Tuesday that they made a big mistake not pursuing the video harder than they did and taking Rice at his word. Again, it's late, but at least the team and owner Steve Bisciotti are willing to fess up to it. Still waiting on you NFL...))

In case you missed it, here again is the Jolly Roger defending himself by pleading ignorance on the CBS Morning show...who in a fortuitous bit of timing, just happen to start broadcasting Thursday night NFL games this week, with the now Rice-less Ravens playing.

Roger Goodell Speaks For The First Time

((HT: CBS News))

Norah O'Donnell got the chance to sit down with Commissioner Roger Goodell in his first interview since the Ray Rice fiasco has gone full blown-go boom. The HQ suspects that this is part of the "Thursday Night Football" NFL-CBS happy family package.

Make of this what you will...


As we suspected...

Another Example Of Keith Olbermann At His Best

((HT: ESPN))

When Keith Olbermann is allowed to blend his thoughts together long-form, it is a shining example as what opinion can give us...

Today can be added to the file in his opinions on the Ray Rice release and suspension


Told you...

DEVELOPING: Ray Rice Waived And Suspended After Video Release (UPDATED W/Fan Reax)

((HT: TMZ Sports))

Yeah, okay, it was as bad as we all thought...

After the Sunday Night football game, TMZ Sports released the Ray Rice video and it's pretty graphic...

Ray Rice -- ELEVATOR KNOCKOUT ... Fiancee Takes Crushing Punch [Video]
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The NFL league office claimed that they had not seen the elevator video where Rice had allegedly assaulted his then fiancee, but then it was released. The league wasted no time in suspending him indefinitely after the Ravens waived him.

Simply put by the Ravens on their Twitter:

The Ravens have terminated RB Ray Rice's contract this afternoon.

The Shield followed up with, on their Twitter through spokesman Greg Aiello:

Roger Goodell has announced that based on new video evidence that became available today he has
indefinitely suspended Ray Rice.

A lot of different media sources are calling "shenanigans" that the league didn't know this was what was on the tape. But Jay Glazer had maintained from the beginning that this was the case and, thus, the two-game punishment.

Now, the Ravens will have to retool their offense for an entire season and, possibly, hit the market looking for a tailback that can get quality yards...

CBS Baltimore's Mike Hellgren has fan reaction from the town

DEVELOPING: Irsay Fined $500K, Suspended 6 Games

((HT: WISH-TV))

As an after-effect of his plea bargain that led to one misdemeanor count of operating while intoxicated, the National Football League has suspended Indianpolis Colts owner Jim Irsay for six games and fined him half-a-million dollars- the maximum amount under league rules.

Irsay sent out the following statement shortly after the announcement of his suspension:

I acknowledge the mistake I made last March and stand responsible for the consequences of that mistake, for which I sincerely apologize to our community and to Colts fans everywhere. Even more importantly, though, I am committed to do everything in my power to turn this whole experience into a positive event for myself, my family, and the community. In retrospect, I now know that the incident opened my eyes to issues in my life that needed addressing and helped put me on the path to regain my health. I truly hope and pray that my episode will help in some small measure to diminish the stigma surrounding our country’s terrible and deadly problem of addiction. It is a disease like other progressive, terminal diseases—one that can only be successfully treated by understanding, committed hard work, and spiritual growth. I am deeply grateful for the tremendous outpouring of love and support during these past few months from my family, friends, care-givers, and our great community. Please know I am firmly committed to staying on my path to good health and I look forward to a great season.

Here's the latest after the arraignment in Indianapolis


Irsay cannot be present at the Colts facility, practices, or games. He cannot be at any league or league committee meetings- or anything involving any other team for that matter. He also cannot do media interviews or say anything team-related on any form of social media... something he always was fond of doing on his Twitter feed.

He will also be subject to treatment, counseling, and testing during his suspension.

Niners McDonald Out On Bail

((HT: KGO-TV))

We now have the first test for NFL Commisioner Roger Goodell's new stance on domestic violence...

San Francisco 49ers DL Ray McDonald is out on $25,000 bail after being charged with felony domestic violence in an overnight incident with his (apparently) pregnant girlfriend. The case is now going to the Santa Clara County DA's Office.

Here's the latest on the newest incident that confirms nothing good ever happens after 1AM or so...


San Francisco 49ers General Manager Trent Baalke released a statement:

"The 49ers organization is aware of the recent reports regarding Ray McDonald and we take such matters seriously. As we continue to gather the facts, we will reserve further comment."

But the most interesting piece of irony seems to be that McDonald was arrested in the same house that now-suspended DE Aldon Smith allegedly partied before getting arrested on DUI charges last month after getting into an accident.

McDonald is due in court for his next appearance September 15.

Developing: NFL Radically Changes Domestic Violence Suspension Policy

Well, they may be a bit slow, but it appears the NFL was listening to the public confusion over the way the handled the Ray Rice domestic violence incident.

In a surprise announcement Thursday afternoon, the league said from this day forward, the penalty for any player, coach, owner or member of an NFL Organization convicted of domestic violence charges would be 6 games for the 1st offense, a lifetime ban for a second.

(It should be noted, per ESPN's Jane McManus-- there is a clause allowing a player to be reinstated, though that verbiage has yet to made specific)

The move comes after the league took a tremendous P.R hit for the way they handled the charges against Baltimore Ravens Running Back Ray Rice.

Rice was caught on video dragging his unconscious fiancee' (now wife) out of an elevator after knocking her out with a punch.

Rice received a 2-game suspension.

It appears the contrite Jolly Roger (NFL Prez Goodell) apologized for the way it was handled telling the leagues owners "I didn't get it right"

From Domestic Violence advocacy groups to U.S Senators and the public at large, the NFL found itself on the wrong side of the fence here. Particularly after doling out lengthier suspensions for performance enhancing drugs and other various minor offenses.

You can read Goodell's letter to league owners on ESPN reporter Adam Schefter's Facebook page.

Follow the link HERE

Yeah...

We, along with most of you await the first test of this new policy. But we acknowledge the NFL fessing up to the mistake and being proactive in trying to do something about the issue.