Harrison has until 8/25 to give interview or face suspension

[rooneytunes]

Bryant, Bell, Golson, Green, Harrison, and throw Gradkowski in there.

[Legacy User]

Good for you Deebo! Stand up to this bullshit. It sounds like the team is standing behind him with his decision.

If it means we lose him for a few games not a big deal- he will be fresher for the playoffs. If he has to "retire" then it's the NFL who loses. This is America, and fuck Roger the clown!

Innocent until PROVEN guilty.

[Kodiak]

...The NFL is emboldened by its legal victory over Brady and is using the same broad authority -- as written in Article 46 of the collective bargaining agreement -- to compel participation in an otherwise out-of-policy investigation.

And that's exactly why the NFLPA should oppose this - because of potential precedent.

I also don't think the Brady situation is comparable. In that you had evidence of a violation, to which Brady was part of, and his cooperation was part of the investigation into the team, Belicheat and Kraft. So more of a case Brady was obstructing the investigation of a KNOWN violation.

[Kodiak]

As a result, Harrison will take the advice of the NFLPA.

“I’ll do what I have to do,” Harrison said. “They’ll do what they have to do. We’ll make that decision when that time comes. . . . I just am doing what I’m advised to do [by the NFLPA]. It’s the right thing to do.”

Yep. Harrison is just being a good union member. He really doesn't have anything to lose from doing the interview, presuming he retires after this year. The only reason for him not to do that interview, aside from principle, is because the NFLPA asked.

[Orangesteel]

Bryant, Bell, Golson, Green, Harrison, and throw Gradkowski in there.

Good lord.

Only saving grace is if Bell's suspension doesn't stand.

[Louis Lipps Service]

Haha, Harrison posted to social media that he got randomly drawn for a drug screening today!

Who'da thunk?

[steeledge]

The worst thing about this whole fucked up travesty is that James has expressed multiple times his willingness to do the interview and that he has nothing to hide.

It's actually been the NFLPA that has thwarted an interview at every turn, and the NFL that continues this BASELESS, UNFOUNDED witch hunt in an attempt to put the screws to James Harrison...
...now he's stuck in the middle of their power struggle and faces suspension on behalf of the entire NFLPA?!

What the actual FUCK?!

This arrogant overreach by Roger Goodell and his NFL Henchmen based on recanted heresay is getting way fucking out of hand!

[chippedhamsandwich]

Good comment on PFT about this:


"If the NFL concluded that the Al Jazeera accusations were false against Manning, then that should have already discredited the source (Al Jazeera), and the NFL should just leave the other players alone"

[steeledge]

Good comment on PFT about this:


"If the NFL concluded that the Al Jazeera accusations were false against Manning, then that should have already discredited the source (Al Jazeera), and the NFL should just leave the other players alone"

^ FUCKIN' A THIS!!

[Louis Lipps Service]

Good comment on PFT about this:


"If the NFL concluded that the Al Jazeera accusations were false against Manning, then that should have already discredited the source (Al Jazeera), and the NFL should just leave the other players alone"

To be fair, we're all kind of assuming they're only going off of the article itself. It IS possible that they did their own digging and found more concrete links on their own. Which would kind of explain why they want to interview these guys instead of just taking their written statements.

Do I believe that? Not particularly. But I do like exhaust other options before flying off the handle.

[rocky mtn stiller]

Good comment on PFT about this:


"If the NFL concluded that the Al Jazeera accusations were false against Manning, then that should have already discredited the source (Al Jazeera), and the NFL should just leave the other players alone"

^ FUCKIN' A THIS!!

I agree with this.

I think they also realized there was nothing they could do to Manning since he retired. If they had some evidence against him, they would have ditched it to avoid tarnishing his legacy and giving the league a black eye. What would they do, embargo Papa John advertising?

[jebrick]

Harrison believes the league has not followed all the appropriate channels to launch an investigation. The NFL-NFLPA drug substances of abuse policy requires "sufficient credible documented evidence" in order to discipline. But with lack of cooperation from players, the league says it plans to suspend over 'conduct detrimental.'

I think the players win this in court but Harrison still loses a season.

[Scunge]

But if Harrison and the Union and their lawyers file suit, can't the suspension get lifted until the case is heard like Brady? Isn't this James last season anyway? So, he could play this season, his last season, then retire and give Roger the middle finger and retire.

What a great way to retire, have a final monster season, double digit sacks, win the Super Bowl and go out on top and get the best of Roger all at the same time. That is what I hope happens.

[955876]

Harrison won't be allowed to play pending court proceedings ala Brady. They'll find a way to suspend if he doesn't cooperate. "Conduct detrimental" wasn't used against Brady.

Brady & Peyton are the NFL's version of Hillary while Harrison isn't in that protected yet obviously guilty group.

Don't assume he will be treated the same.

[Legacy User]

I thought about this for a while now... I've looked at this from both sides.

I hope Harrison does bock at this. He's like 38, he'll probably play half the snaps anyway... He's not in his prime anymore. His legacy is already set as a football player and a person. He's not one to be bullied. There's no creditable evidence against him. Either the NFL comes and talks to him or fuck the NFL/Roger Goodell altogether. They have nothing on this guy. He's even tried to film his piss test on video and got reprimanded.

I'd love to see him back on the field again, because I think he could still contribute. I think it's time the players stand up to the league if they are indeed innocent. The players are the one's risking their body/life to Roger's $40M/yr salary. #InnocentNFLPlayersLivesMatter

[BethlehemSteel]

Now hear this, it's 2016, and the NFL is all about being in the news 24/7 and that means more bad news than good. Pub = $$$$


End Rant

[jebrick]

Harrison won't be allowed to play pending court proceedings ala Brady. They'll find a way to suspend if he doesn't cooperate. "Conduct detrimental" wasn't used against Brady.

Brady & Peyton are the NFL's version of Hillary while Harrison isn't in that protected yet obviously guilty group.

Don't assume he will be treated the same.

Article 46 was used against Brady. Not cooperating with an investigation. The difference is that the is for PED for which there is a policy in the CBA and they cannot even begin to investigate without "sufficient credible documented evidence".

[Steel Ubaldo]

Harrison won't be allowed to play pending court proceedings ala Brady. They'll find a way to suspend if he doesn't cooperate. "Conduct detrimental" wasn't used against Brady.

Brady & Peyton are the NFL's version of Hillary while Harrison isn't in that protected yet obviously guilty group.

Don't assume he will be treated the same.

Article 46 was used against Brady. Not cooperating with an investigation. The difference is that the is for PED for which there is a policy in the CBA and they cannot even begin to investigate without "sufficient credible documented evidence".

Brady was guilty of an alleged equipment violation. There is a policy for equipment violations. There was No conclusive firm evidence he deflated footballs.

The Saints coaches/players were suspended And fined for less credible evidence than what Brady was accused of doing.

Like it or not Al Jazeera is a credible world news outlet. If Harrison refuses to speak he is now "covering up" like Brady was accused of. We loved it when it was Brady. Not so much, now that it's our guy. Article 46 of CBA allows Goodell to do this.

DeMaurice Smith allowed all of this to happen. Rooney and his boys are sanctioning Goodell's actions.

[Legacy User]

Harrison won't be allowed to play pending court proceedings ala Brady. They'll find a way to suspend if he doesn't cooperate. "Conduct detrimental" wasn't used against Brady.

Brady & Peyton are the NFL's version of Hillary while Harrison isn't in that protected yet obviously guilty group.

Don't assume he will be treated the same.

Oh, just knock it off.

[lifelongsteel]

I don't understand why this is such a big deal.

If your employer "heard" a rumor about something you did that was against corporate rules, and they asked you to talk to HR, you would have to go or there would be consequences. Same thing here.

Just go to the meeting. If there is nothing to hide then no problem.

[zeke5123]

Harrison won't be allowed to play pending court proceedings ala Brady. They'll find a way to suspend if he doesn't cooperate. "Conduct detrimental" wasn't used against Brady.

Brady & Peyton are the NFL's version of Hillary while Harrison isn't in that protected yet obviously guilty group.

Don't assume he will be treated the same.

Article 46 was used against Brady. Not cooperating with an investigation. The difference is that the is for PED for which there is a policy in the CBA and they cannot even begin to investigate without "sufficient credible documented evidence".

Brady was guilty of an alleged equipment violation. There is a policy for equipment violations. There was No conclusive firm evidence he deflated footballs.

The Saints coaches/players were suspended And fined for less credible evidence than what Brady was accused of doing.

Like it or not Al Jazeera is a credible world news outlet. If Harrison refuses to speak he is now "covering up" like Brady was accused of. We loved it when it was Brady. Not so much, now that it's our guy. Article 46 of CBA allows Goodell to do this.

DeMaurice Smith allowed all of this to happen. Rooney and his boys are sanctioning Goodell's actions.

There was enough evidence to get to MLTN, which was the appropriate standard. You don't need to prove beyond a reasonable doubt.

[zeke5123]

I don't understand why this is such a big deal.

If your employer "heard" a rumor about something you did that was against corporate rules, and they asked you to talk to HR, you would have to go or there would be consequences. Same thing here.

Just go to the meeting. If there is nothing to hide then no problem.

Most employees haven't negotiated a pre-arranged method for handling rumors. As I understand it, Harrison has a contract that states he is not required to speak to HR unless there is something more than just a rumor. Since all contract terms have a price (i.e., players gave up money to get that term), you are asking Harrison to surrender basically the right that his union bargained for in lieu of extra pay. That seems silly.

[955876]

Harrison won't be allowed to play pending court proceedings ala Brady. They'll find a way to suspend if he doesn't cooperate. "Conduct detrimental" wasn't used against Brady.

Brady & Peyton are the NFL's version of Hillary while Harrison isn't in that protected yet obviously guilty group.

Don't assume he will be treated the same.

Oh, just knock it off.

I think it's pretty factual & accurate to say that Harrison isn't part of the protected class within the NFL like Brady or Manning.

So then saying that that Brady and/or Manning are the NFL's version of Hillary is also fair example. And that is what it was, an example.

The NFL obviously turned a blind eye to this until Peyton retired. Much like the blind eye that currently is being turned in my example.

[lifelongsteel]

I don't understand why this is such a big deal.

If your employer "heard" a rumor about something you did that was against corporate rules, and they asked you to talk to HR, you would have to go or there would be consequences. Same thing here.

Just go to the meeting. If there is nothing to hide then no problem.

Most employees haven't negotiated a pre-arranged method for handling rumors. As I understand it, Harrison has a contract that states he is not required to speak to HR unless there is something more than just a rumor. Since all contract terms have a price (i.e., players gave up money to get that term), you are asking Harrison to surrender basically the right that his union bargained for in lieu of extra pay. That seems silly.

Makes sense Zeke, though i don't know the in's and out's of the collective bargaining agreement to understand who is right here.

It is ironic that the players will complain, and get supported by the fans, for items they clearly gave away in the negotiations. They would like to have it both ways.

[jeemie]

I don't understand why this is such a big deal.

If your employer "heard" a rumor about something you did that was against corporate rules, and they asked you to talk to HR, you would have to go or there would be consequences. Same thing here.

Just go to the meeting. If there is nothing to hide then no problem.

Most employees haven't negotiated a pre-arranged method for handling rumors. As I understand it, Harrison has a contract that states he is not required to speak to HR unless there is something more than just a rumor. Since all contract terms have a price (i.e., players gave up money to get that term), you are asking Harrison to surrender basically the right that his union bargained for in lieu of extra pay. That seems silly.

Not only that, but there is distrust that Goodell can be even-handed.

Ask that dude from New Orleans whose career was destroyed by Bountygate, only to have the evidence be in his favor. All the NFL did was quietly apologize to him afterwards.

Too much seems to be happening that is politically motivated (i.e. Goodell wants to show the NFL is "tough on discipline") rather than on anything evidence-based.

[steeledge]

I don't understand why this is such a big deal.

If your employer "heard" a rumor about something you did that was against corporate rules, and they asked you to talk to HR, you would have to go or there would be consequences. Same thing here.

Just go to the meeting. If there is nothing to hide then no problem.

Until he goes to the meeting, tells them again the same things in the afidavit - that the allegations are completely false - and then invites Ginger Roger to go fuck himself anally with a 500 lb jackhammer...

...and then they suspend him anyway for "conduct detrimental" since he "didn't say what they wanted to hear"...

Just "Because Roger has all the power" - what the fuck you gonna do 'bout it?!

[alancac98]

I don't understand why this is such a big deal.

If your employer "heard" a rumor about something you did that was against corporate rules, and they asked you to talk to HR, you would have to go or there would be consequences. Same thing here.

Just go to the meeting. If there is nothing to hide then no problem.

Until he goes to the meeting, tells them again the same things in the afidavit - that the allegations are completely false - and then invites Ginger Roger to go fuck himself anally with a 500 lb jackhammer...

...and then they suspend him anyway for "conduct detrimental" since he "didn't say what they wanted to hear"...

Just "Because Roger has all the power" - what the fuck you gonna do 'bout it?!

That's exactly what will happen. If Harrison goes, he will tell them that the report was bullshit from the get go, but he will still be suspended for conduct detrimental, so.... , Why fucking go? Here's the problem good old Rog is going to find himself in. If this were to go to court, Roger has already stated to the public world (I believe), that the reports substantiated concerning Pey Pey was in-creditable and therefore, didn't require any further investigation. If that is true, then why come after to other individuals stated by that source. A judge would most likely concur that if it is unsubstantiated for one player, it is unsubstantiated for all the players named in the report, unless, they have any other evidence concerning the other named players from any other alternative source(s). Also, credit to Harrison's defense is the numerous statements that Harrison was completely willing to meet with the NFL, but he had a few simple stipulations were not "over the top". It stands to reason, that the judge would also find that Harrison was cooperating with the investigation, but the investigation was not cooperating with him. With that said, the judge could find that Harrison needed to go to the NFL headquarters as that is where all meetings take place concerning disciplinary action and investigations. The NFL had better hope that they never went anywhere else for such meetings as those circumstances would then mitigate the NFL's stance concerning require Harrison at the NFL HQ. If it were me, I check the facts above, then tell Roger to go fuck himself. Please remember, the NFL operates with no due process as the NFLPA has given away those rights.

[Louis Lipps Service]

I don't understand why this is such a big deal.

If your employer "heard" a rumor about something you did that was against corporate rules, and they asked you to talk to HR, you would have to go or there would be consequences. Same thing here.

Just go to the meeting. If there is nothing to hide then no problem.

Until he goes to the meeting, tells them again the same things in the afidavit - that the allegations are completely false - and then invites Ginger Roger to go fuck himself anally with a 500 lb jackhammer...

...and then they suspend him anyway for "conduct detrimental" since he "didn't say what they wanted to hear"...

Just "Because Roger has all the power" - what the fuck you gonna do 'bout it?!

That's exactly what will happen. If Harrison goes, he will tell them that the report was bullshit from the get go, but he will still be suspended for conduct detrimental, so.... , Why fucking go? Here's the problem good old Rog is going to find himself in. If this were to go to court, Roger has already stated to the public world (I believe), that the reports substantiated concerning Pey Pey was in-creditable and therefore, didn't require any further investigation. If that is true, then why come after to other individuals stated by that source. A judge would most likely concur that if it is unsubstantiated for one player, it is unsubstantiated for all the players named in the report, unless, they have any other evidence concerning the other named players from any other alternative source(s). Also, credit to Harrison's defense is the numerous statements that Harrison was completely willing to meet with the NFL, but he had a few simple stipulations were not "over the top". It stands to reason, that the judge would also find that Harrison was cooperating with the investigation, but the investigation was not cooperating with him. With that said, the judge could find that Harrison needed to go to the NFL headquarters as that is where all meetings take place concerning disciplinary action and investigations. The NFL had better hope that they never went anywhere else for such meetings as those circumstances would then mitigate the NFL's stance concerning require Harrison at the NFL HQ. If it were me, I check the facts above, then tell Roger to go fuck himself. Please remember, the NFL operates with no due process as the NFLPA has given away those rights.

Depends on what digging they've done on their own. They may have did their own research and determined that there wasn't anything against Peyton.

Conversely, they could have don't their own homework on the other guys and determined there was enough there to warrant more investigation.

Just because one of the names wasn't a plausible subject, that doesn't necessarily mean the others aren't. We have no idea what leg work the NFL has done behind the scenes.

[jebrick]

I don't understand why this is such a big deal.

If your employer "heard" a rumor about something you did that was against corporate rules, and they asked you to talk to HR, you would have to go or there would be consequences. Same thing here.

Just go to the meeting. If there is nothing to hide then no problem.

Until he goes to the meeting, tells them again the same things in the afidavit - that the allegations are completely false - and then invites Ginger Roger to go fuck himself anally with a 500 lb jackhammer...

...and then they suspend him anyway for "conduct detrimental" since he "didn't say what they wanted to hear"...

Just "Because Roger has all the power" - what the fuck you gonna do 'bout it?!

That's exactly what will happen. If Harrison goes, he will tell them that the report was bullshit from the get go, but he will still be suspended for conduct detrimental, so.... , Why fucking go? Here's the problem good old Rog is going to find himself in. If this were to go to court, Roger has already stated to the public world (I believe), that the reports substantiated concerning Pey Pey was in-creditable and therefore, didn't require any further investigation. If that is true, then why come after to other individuals stated by that source. A judge would most likely concur that if it is unsubstantiated for one player, it is unsubstantiated for all the players named in the report, unless, they have any other evidence concerning the other named players from any other alternative source(s). Also, credit to Harrison's defense is the numerous statements that Harrison was completely willing to meet with the NFL, but he had a few simple stipulations were not "over the top". It stands to reason, that the judge would also find that Harrison was cooperating with the investigation, but the investigation was not cooperating with him. With that said, the judge could find that Harrison needed to go to the NFL headquarters as that is where all meetings take place concerning disciplinary action and investigations. The NFL had better hope that they never went anywhere else for such meetings as those circumstances would then mitigate the NFL's stance concerning require Harrison at the NFL HQ. If it were me, I check the facts above, then tell Roger to go fuck himself. Please remember, the NFL operates with no due process as the NFLPA has given away those rights.

If they go to court it will be about whether the NFL has the right to suspend a player for this. While the discredited source will be brought up I think that the NFL is not following the CBA as it pertains to PEDs. That will get it tossed.

[Legacy User]

I can see a 'Lockout' coming in the next couple years... Then the fans will lose.