At the NFL owners meetings yesterday in West Palm
Beach, FL, NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue said in his
state-of-the-league address that the NFL "must do everything
in its power to curtail an apparent rise in criminal
behavior among its players," according to Leonard Shapiro of
the WASHINGTON POST. Tagliabue, on the league "looking for
ways to curtail violent off-field behavior": "We all know
that most of our players are good citizens. But the ones
who get in trouble generate an enormous amount of negative
publicity for our league. This is clearly a problem that
needs to be addressed immediately." Shapiro writes that
Tagliabue "told the owners the dialogue will continue
'intensively' this week and for the next two months, with
policy recommendations presented" at the owners meetings in
May. Tagliabue: "We're trying to reassess our entire
policy, including the levels of discipline" (WASHINGTON
POST, 3/28). The AP's Dave Goldberg writes that Tagliabue
"isn't concerned about the league's image. He just wants
the violence to stop." But Goldberg adds, "Beyond the
debates, the league has taken no specific steps on
confronting this problem" (AP, 3/28). Tagliabue: "The
issues we're addressing are societal issues and societal
expectations" (USA TODAY, 3/28). In Detroit, Curt Sylvester
writes that the league is acting because the "suggestion
that professional football players are only reflecting a
more violent society doesn't sell anymore" (DETROIT FREE
PRESS, 3/28). In Chicago, Mike Mulligan writes, "While no
policy recommendation will be immediately forthcoming, it's
known Tagliabue favors a more stringent screening process
that will require counseling for at-risk players when they
enter the league" (SUN-TIMES, 3/28). In Philadelphia, Mike
Bruton: "Counseling, mentoring, harsher discipline,
accessible support services and all-around responsibility
taken by teams, players, their agents, the players' union
and the league were all major topics. But identifying which
players may need extra help when they come into the NFL was
one of the strongest themes" (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 3/28).
NFLPA Exec Dir Gene Upshaw said, "We all know there is [a
problem with behavior]. The problem comes in agreeing what
to do about it" (CBS SportsLine, 3/27).
THE PROBLEM? Ravens Owner Art Modell said off-field
violence can be attributed to outside influences: "It's the
damn agents. And those leeches (friends and associates) who
hang on and grab you." USA TODAY's Gordon Forbes writes
that Tagliabue's "first step should be disciplinary." But
Players Inc President Doug Allen said that he "doesn't think
Tagliabue would stiffen penalties without support from" Gene
Upshaw: "With respect to a more draconian approach, I'm sure
he [Tagliabue] would talk to Gene first" (USA TODAY, 3/28).
Patriots Owner Robert Kraft: "Under certain conditions,
certain guys won't be eligible to play [in the NFL]. There
may be certain antitrust problems or other [legal] problems
with that, but I know as a fan it's how I feel." Kraft, on
off-field violence: "I feel strongly the American public is
fed up. They're sick of it. We in the NFL need to be
mindful of that" (BOSTON GLOBE, 3/28). FSN's John Czarnecki,
on the committee of Ravens coach Brian Billick, Seahawks
coach Mike Holmgren and Bucs coach Tony Dungy, which will
study player behavior: "This league does have an image
problem. It's a multi-billion dollar business, and it's got
to control that off the field" ("Fox Sports News," 3/27).
