Read Bleacher Fan and Loyal Homer’s opinions.
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donte Stallworth made a horrible mistake. While driving under the influence of alcohol, he hit a pedestrian – 59-year-old Anthony Reyes – and killed him. There is no excuse for this crime, and Stallworth has accepted that reality. He is currently in the process of making restitution for his crime both with the Florida penal system (by serving his 30-day jail sentence) and the Reyes family by agreeing to a financial payment that will avoid a lawsuit.
It’s a horrible crime. At this stage of the process, the law has been interpreted and punishment levied – a lifetime driving ban, two years of house arrest, eight years of probation, a $10,000 fine, 1,000 hours of community service, and 30-days in jail appears to be enough to satisfy the legal system and the Reyes family.
But, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell was not satisfied with the terms of Stallworth’s punishment. True to recent form, he has decided to suspend Donte Stallworth indefinitely from the NFL. Indefinitely. So… what EXACTLY does that mean? That can mean forever, for the foreseeable future, or until further notice (which could be tomorrow… or 10 years from now). If we’re being honest, it’s a non-statement.
Stallworth’s case is an extreme one, and perhaps worthy of an open-ended ruling by the commissioner given the receiver’s history of participation in the NFL’s substance abuse program.
But, it appears the punishment du jour in sports these days is the “indefinite suspension.”
Recently the NHL’s Sean Avery was suspended indefinitely for merely implying that some of his colleagues have also “dated” some of his ex-girlfriends. Even NASCAR has gotten into the act by suspending driver Jeremy Mayfield indefinitely for an alleged failed drug test.
But, Goodell is the most prolific user of this vague punishment, most recently with former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Ron Mexico Mike Vick and with former Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Odell Thurman.
Today’s debate will examine the indefinite suspension. The question is:
Is the indefinite suspension a valid, decisive, and effective punishment that deters future wrong doing?
Loyal Homer will argue that the indefinite suspension is an excellent punishment, in part, because of its ambiguity.
Bleacher Fan will argue that an indefinite suspension is a gutless non-ruling that only delays an issue until a true punishment can be determined.
I’m very curious to see how this debate goes because I have no preconceived notions about the impact of this punishment. A quick caveat – let’s not contemplate our own jobs and a potential indefinite suspension. Let’s consider this as a punishment exclusive within the world of sports, and examine its merits in that context. It may be worth considering alternative punishments, too.
May the best debater win!
