The NFL is about to cross over into uncharted waters concerning it’s zero tolerance policy to off the field and punishment. The twist is that the person in question never steps on the field and happens to own a team.
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Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay was arrested Monday and charged with four counts of possession of a controlled substance and operating a vehicle while intoxicated. Irsay has battled with his addiction to prescription medication since as early as 2002 and has now fallen off the wagon and into the national spotlight.
Jim Irsay Arrested on Four Counts of Possesion
Although this is a sensitive subject and needs to be treated delicately with respect to Irsay, the NFL needs to respond and set a president so this never happens again. Commissioner Roger Goodell has a chance to put a stamp on the zero tolerance policy by punishing an owner who was arrested for the very thing the league is trying to destroy.
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First and foremost, Irsay needs help. He needs to seek rehabilitation and get himself healthy and then worry about all the fallout of his actions. Goodell should make that clear from the start when speaking to Irsay. If Irsay makes the proactive decision to seek help and then let the justice system run it’s course, the punishment can be lessened by Goodell after he sees positive progress. Irsay has great people around him and can find the proper help for his addiction.
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Goodell has to make a choice on what his actual punishment should be. NFL players made it clear via Twitter that taking millions from a billionaire is counter productive. Taking the game away from Irsay is the only way to get the message across. On top of a hefty fine, Goodell should suspend Irsay from the team he loves for a predetermined amount of time that can be altered by his cooperation with the rehabilitation process. Keeping Irsay away from something he holds dear would hit home more than any dollar value could as well as motivate him in curing his disease.
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There has been talk of taking draft picks from the Colts, but I believe that is sending the wrong message and could be viewed as the NFL punishing a team, players and a potential prospect instead of the person in the wrong. Whatever punishment Goodell decides he will be setting president that either executives are just as accountable for their actions as players or that players are held to a higher standard then the billionaires that write their checks.
What should Irsay’s punishment be? Tell us @SportsWN
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