4B
SPORTS
THE UNIVERSITY DAIRY KANSAN
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 11, 2007
>> NFL
League increases stakes for off-field behavior
BY DAVE GOLDBERG ASSOCIATED PRESS
NEW YORK — Roger Goodell cracked down Tuesday on the player misconstruet his first seven months as NFL commissioner. He suspended Tennessee's Adam "Pacman" Jones for the 2007 season and Cincinnati's Chris Henry for eight games.
"It is a privilege to represent the NFL, not a right." Goodell said in a statement announc-
ment announcing the suspensions. "These players and all members of our league have to make the right choices and decisions in their conduct on a consistent basis."
Jones
Jones' off-field conduct has
included 10 instances in which he was interviewed by police. The most recent took place during the NBA All-Star weekend in Las Vegas. Police there recommended felony
and misdemeanor charges against Jones after a fight and shooting at a strip club paralyzed one man.
His suspension could be longer or shorter depending on developments in that case, an official with knowledge of the details of the suspension said. He requested anonymity because the Las Vegas case is still pending.
The NFL suspension could be as short as 10 games, if Jones meets the conditions set by the NFL and is cleared in a pending case in Georgia.
as well as the Las Vegas case, in which he has yet to be charged.
Henry was arrested four times in a 14-month span, which resulted in two benchings by coach Marvin Lewis and a two-game league suspension. He was one of nine Bengals arrested in nine months.
Goodell handed down the suspensions under the NFL's existing conduct policy and also announced a new broader policy that will allow longer fines and suspensions for players and potential penalties against teams.
"While we regret the circumstances that called for it, it's good for both Chris and the Bengals to have the matter resolved," Lewis said. "Our team will move forward, and now it is up to Chris to acquire a more mature understanding of his responsibilities as a player for the Bengals and a representative of the NFL."
The Titans and Bengals said they supported the suspensions.
Jones' attorney, Manny Arora, was in a meeting and did not immediately return a message left by the Associated Press.
Reached at her Georgia home, Jones' mother, Deborah Jones, said: "I just pray that this can be changed. This is not fair for him. It's just not fair."
Goodell, who replaced the retired Paul Tagliabue last September, has spent much of his first season answering questions about the arrests of players. Last December, he called Mike Brown, president of the Cincinnati team, and asked if he could do anything to help.
Goodell and Gene Upshaw, executive director of the NFL Players Association, met with a group of players in February and again last week and agreed the league needed a stronger disciplinary policy.
"It is important that the NFL be represented consistently by outstanding people as well as great football players, coaches and staff."
Henry
Players agreed.
Goodell said in the new policy announcement, which had the strong support of Upshaw and the union.
Houshmandzadeh, one of the players at the February meeting. "It was going on for an extended period of time. Each day, each week, something was happening."
"You would think it's necessary just because of the negative publicity the NFL is beginning to receive because of what's happening," said Henry's teammate, T.J.
Jones, the sixth overall pick in the 2005 draft, starred on the field
but had nothing but trouble off it during two seasons with the Titans. He had four touchdowns last season, three on punt returns and one from one of four interceptions.
He could be reinstated before season's end if he adheres to conditions set by the NFL that include no further involvement with law enforcement; counseling, education and treatment under league and court-ordered programs; follows restrictions on his activities agreed to with the Titans; and a community-service program submitted to the league for review and approval.
"We appreciate the Commissioner's thoughtful decision today and the discipline plan imposed on Adam Jones," Titans owner Bud Adams said. "We respect this decision and are confident this is in the best interest of the league and the team. We are hopeful that it will achieve the goals of disciplining the player and eventually enabling him to return to the field of play. Our goals for Jones are consistent with the league's in that regard."
NCAA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Rutgers denounces radio host, agrees to meet
BY REBECCA SANTANA ASSOCIATED PRESS
PISCATAWAY, N.J. — The Rutgers administration and women's basketball team blasted Don Imus' "despicable" remarks Tuesday, but stopped short of saying he should be fired and agreed to meet with the embattled radio host.
Starting Monday, Imus will be suspended for two weeks for calling
the Rutgers players "nappy-headed hos"
Rutgers' athletic director, Robert E. Mulcahey III, thought a meeting with Imus offered the team's players a chance to listen to him and hear what he has to say. Several players said they wanted to ask the host why he would make such thoughtless statements.
"We all agreed the meeting with Mr. Mus will help," Essence Carson,
a member of the team that lost the NCAA women's championship game to Tennessee last week, said. "We do hope to get something accomplished during this meeting."
Coach C. Vivian Stringer said her players "are the best this nation has to offer, and we are so very fortunate to have them at Rutgers University. They are young ladies of class, distinction. They are articulate, they are gifted. They are God's representatives in every sense of the word."
THINKING OF GOING TO LAW SCHOOL?
Be Prepared!
She said it's not about the players "as black or nappy-headed. It's about us as a people. When there is not equality for all, or when there has been denied equality for one, there has been denied equality for all."
She further said: "While they worked hard in the classroom and accomplished so much and used their gifts and talents, you know, to bring the smiles and the pride within this state in so many people, we
Save $100 Register by April 16
"That's some nappy-headed hos there, I'm going to tell you that," Imus said.
Imus started the firestorm after the Rutgers team, which includes eight African-American women, lost the championship game. He was speaking with producer Bernard McGuirk and said "that's some rough girls from Rutgers. Man, they got tattoos..."
It also came in a different public atmosphere following the Michael Richards and Mel Gibson incidents, said Eric Deggans, columnist for the
"Some hardcore hos," McGuirk said.
For complete information or to register, visit www.ContinuingEd.ku.edu or call 785-864-5823
inus comments about the Rutgers players struck a chord, in part, because it was aimed at a group of young women enjoying athletic success.
had to experience racist and sexist remarks that are deplorable, despicable, and abominable and unconscionable. It hurts me."
Enroll in KU Continuing Education's new
KU
CONTINUING
EDUCATION
LSAT Test Prep Course.
"What I did was make a stupid, idiotic mistake in a comedy context," Imus said on his show Tuesday morning, the final week before his suspension starts.
C. VIVIAN STRINGER
Rutgers women's basketball coach
journals. The board, which doesn't include Deggans. wants Imus canned.
The MADGREEK
Greek • Italian • American Cuisine
Open 7 Days A Week
Lunch & Dinner • Sunday Buffet 11 - 2
Dine-in or Carry-out
EXCLUDE SPECIALS
AND BUFFET
EXPIRES 5/31/07
MIT ONE PER PURCHASE
"We had to experience racist and sexist remarks that are deplorable,despicable,and abominable and unconscionable."
843-2441
(UP TO $4.95) WITH ANY TWO DINNERS OFF THE MENU
of lacking courage for refusing an invitation to appear on "Imus in the Morning." Sharpton said he couldn't tell people not to watch the show
FREE APPETIZER
WITH PURCHASE OF ANY LUNCH PLATE (GRECIAN DELIGHT AND PERFECT PASTA MEALS)
EXCLUDE SPECIALS
EXPIRES 5/31/07
LIMIT ONE PER PURCHASE
St. Petersburg Times and chairman of the media monitoring committee of the National Association of Black Journalists. The NABI's governing
FREE GARDEN SALAD OR SOFT DRINK
907 Mass. Street
19 YEAR CELEBRATION
MSNBC, which telecasts the radio show, said Imus' expressions of regret and embarrassment, coupled with his stated dedication
Asked by NBC "Today" host Matt Lauer if he could clean up his act as he promised on Monday, he said, "Well, perhaps I can." But he added, "I have a history of keeping my word."
and then appear on it. "It's not about courage," he said.
Of the two-week suspension by MSNBC and CBS Radio, he said: "I think it's appropriate, and I am going to try to serve it with some dignity."
The Rev. Al Sharpton also appeared on "Today" and called the suspension "not nearly enough. I think it is too little, too late." He said presidential candidates and other politicians should refrain from going on Imus' show in the future.
Comic Bill Maher, CBS News political analyst Jeff Greenfield and former Carter administration official Hamilton Jordan all appeared on Inmus show Tuesday.
Imus, who appeared on Sharpton's syndicated radio program for two hours Monday, accused the minister
Imus, who has made a career of cranky insults in the morning, was fighting for his job after the joke that by his own admission went "way too far." He continued through the day Monday, both on his show and Sharpton's.
to changing the show's discourse, made it believe suspension was the appropriate response.
"Our future relationship with Imus is contingent on his ability to live up to his word," the network said late Monday.
Imus isn't the most popular radio talk-show host — the trade publication Talkers ranks him the 14th-most influential — but his audience is heavy on the political and media elite that advertisers pay a premium to reach. Authors, journalists and politicians are frequent guests — and targets for insults. He has urged critics to recognize that his show is a comedy that spreads insults broadly.
Hair may not look this cute on you...
Dermatology Center of lawrence
Women Face, bikini underarms, legs
Men Neck, back chest
Lee R. Bittenbender, M.D.
10% Student discount Call for a FREE consultation on Laser Hair Removal 930 Iowa St. • 842-7001
YOU SHOULDN'T APPLY HERE
[IF YOU'RE AN UNDERACHIEVER]
We don't appreciate laziness. In fact, we can't stand it. The Kansan Advertising Staff is now hiring for the summer and fall semesters. And we're looking to hire the most driven students at KU for positions in advertising sales or design. Be a part of the best college advertising staff in the nation*, where the result of your hard work is success in the real world.
Interested? Informational meetings are Monday, April 16 OR Tuesday, April 17 at 7 p.m. in Room 204 Stauffer-Flint.
Attendance to one session is required to apply. Questions? 864-4358
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN ADVERTISING STAFF
*Best Advertising Student Staff of the Year 2007
Aided by College Newspaper Business and Advertising Managers, Inc.
ADVERTISING STAFF
SPECTACULAR SUMMER SESSIONS
CHOOSE FROM MORE THAN THAN 300 SUMMER COURSES
EARLY SESSION:
May 29-June 28
LATE SESSION:
July 2-August 2
FULL SESSION:
May 29-July 19
WASHBURN UNIVERSITY
www.washburn.edu/schedule/summer