As noted in a previous blog, I wanted to highlight the dilemma NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell now faces in light of Michael Vick being indicted for dog fighting crimes.
Many people believe Goodell should wait for the courts to decide whether or not Vick is guilty and then hand out a suspension, but quite frankly, Goodell doesn’t have to wait for anything. The NFL isn’t the U.S. court system in that a due process is required – Vick doesn’t have to be proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt before Goodell can take action. If Goodell feels that Vick has tarnished the reputation of his league, he has all he needs to hand out a suspension.
The problem, however, is what if Vick is eventually found innocent and Goodell already handed out a suspension? It’s not like you can take it back. I think in the end, if Goodell wants to suspend him immediately, he’s going to have to do it on the grounds of Vick embarrassing the league and tarnishing its image. What a suspension like that would entail I don’t know, but if Pacman Jones got 17 games for essentially hiding one of his charges from the league, what should a guy who watched dogs kill each other for entertainment get?
