On yesterday's "Outside The Lines," ESPN Bob Ley
examined whether the NFL should take disciplinary action
against Ravens LB Ray Lewis, who pleaded guilty to
obstruction of justice after initially facing murder charges
in a GA trial. Ley asked NFL Exec VP/Labor Relations Harold
Henderson why Lewis was not suspended by the league.
Henderson: "I think it's a matter of having the punishment
fit the crime, and when we look at what we know Ray's true
involvement was in those incidents down in Atlanta, it
looked as if a suspension was probably more than was
warranted." But USA Today's Christine Brennan said the
league's non-action against Lewis is "a huge mistake."
Brennan: "I believe that Ray Lewis should be suspended. I
think he should be suspended for a year. I think that the
NFL will live to regret this lack of action. ... The NFL's
lack of action is reprehensible, and I'm shocked that the
NFL is choosing to do this. If you lose to the [NFLPA], you
lose to the union. [But] fight the battle, do the right
thing." But Henderson replied, "This is not about
sacrificing a player to send a message. This is about
looking at what's appropriate for what the player actually
did" ("Outside The Lines," ESPN, 6/11).
REAX: CNN/SI's Peter King called Lewis "suiting up for
the Ravens' opener ... outrageous" (CNN/SI, 6/8). In N.Y.,
Gary Myers wrote that NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue "swung
and missed by not nailing Lewis with a suspension. ...
Tagliabue had the perfect opportunity to show he's serious
about the off-field conduct issue" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 6/11).
In Boston, Nick Cafardo, on not suspending Lewis: "The NFL
is just kidding, right?" (BOSTON GLOBE, 6/11). In
Pittsburgh, Guy Junker calls the NFL "weak and spineless"
for not suspending Lewis (Pitt. TRIBUNE-REVIEW, 6/12).
STAFF SUPPORT: USA TODAY's Jarrett Bell writes: "Lewis
undoubtedly benefitted from the Ravens' organizational
approach to dealing with his crisis. As embarrassing as the
case was, the club never abandoned Lewis. In fact, the club
bent over backward with support" (USA TODAY, 6/12).
