Bengals running back Cedric Benson is in New York City to appeal a three-game suspension handed down by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell with the blessing of NFL Players Association executive director DeMaurice Smith and Bengals player representative Andrew Whitworth.
Whitworth was shocked not only that Benson was suspended, but in the manner that it was administered by Goodell.
An agreement between the NFL and the NFLPA signed by both Aug. 5 — the same day the NFL’s new 10-year collective bargaining agreement was signed — allows Goodell to punish eight players who had off-field issues during the lockout period.
There were 25 other players who normally would have been subject to league discipline, but they were not deemed to be repeat offenders. They were exempt from punishments for offenses during the lockout.
Benson and Bengals cornerback Adam Jones were among the eight named in the letter to be suspended, as both have had their share of issues with the NFL.
“I feel like it was the wrong decision to allow those guys to be punished,” Whitworth told Cincinnati.com. “I don’t think any player is different whether it’s their first, second, third or fourth offense. They weren’t employed, and they didn’t have a job. So, they shouldn’t be able to be punished for it.”
Benson was arrested July 17 on an assault charge for an incident outside a bar in Austin, Texas. The case has been dismissed pending Benson’s completion during a one-year probation period in which he keeps his nose clean.
Benson has filed an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board over the agreement and against the NFLPA.
Whitworth was shocked not only that Benson was suspended, but in the manner that it was administered by Goodell.
An agreement between the NFL and the NFLPA signed by both Aug. 5 — the same day the NFL’s new 10-year collective bargaining agreement was signed — allows Goodell to punish eight players who had off-field issues during the lockout period.
There were 25 other players who normally would have been subject to league discipline, but they were not deemed to be repeat offenders. They were exempt from punishments for offenses during the lockout.
Benson and Bengals cornerback Adam Jones were among the eight named in the letter to be suspended, as both have had their share of issues with the NFL.
“I feel like it was the wrong decision to allow those guys to be punished,” Whitworth told Cincinnati.com. “I don’t think any player is different whether it’s their first, second, third or fourth offense. They weren’t employed, and they didn’t have a job. So, they shouldn’t be able to be punished for it.”
Benson was arrested July 17 on an assault charge for an incident outside a bar in Austin, Texas. The case has been dismissed pending Benson’s completion during a one-year probation period in which he keeps his nose clean.
Benson has filed an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board over the agreement and against the NFLPA.
