On Sunday's "NFL on NBC," Will McDonough noted the Ravens
were ready to sign former Steelers RB Bam Morris to a $900,000
deal, including a $500,000 bonus. Morris was released by the
Steelers after his offseason arrest on drug charges and suspended
by the league for four games. Following McDonough's report,
NBC's Mike Ditka said the signing sent a "bad" message for the
league's drug policy, adding, "It says 'Do drugs and get rich.'"
Ditka: "We have to make the punishment fit the crime. This guy
should not be playing football right now. The suspension should
have never been lifted." NBC's Greg Gumbel: "You have to wonder
what it is that can get you kicked out of the National Football
League these days." NBC's Cris Collinsworth: "I just want to
know if the profits from selling all that dope count against the
NFL salary cap? ... The standard now in the league is that there
are no standards. This has become an embarrassing situation for
the [NFL]. He should have been gone for the year" ("NFL on NBC,"
NBC, 9/22).
REAX: NFLPA Exec Dir Doug Allen responded later to remarks
made on the show. Allen: "Collinsworth is talking through his
hat. The discipline in the NFLPA, while its progressive and fair,
is the most severe in sports." NFL Dir of Communications Greg
Aiello: "The idea that there are no standards is inaccurate. We
have a very strong and comprehensive policy" (Steve Zipay,
NEWSDAY, 9/24).
