Hudson McClintock
Reflection Paper
SASM 3220
December 6, 2017
Inconsistency in NFL Suspensions
JuJu Smith-Schuster, George Iloka, Rob Gronkowski, Ezekiel Elliot, Michael Crabtree,
Aqib Talib, and Marshawn Lynch are a few of the big name athletes who were suspended this
year by the NFL. Out of the 217 infractions thus far in the NFL season, there have been many
disagreements regarding the severity of the punishments. This has been the case in the past
couple weeks starting with Michael Crabtree and Aqib Talib getting a one game suspension for
instigating a brawl on the first play of the game. The most recent convictions came when Rob
Gronkowski, JuJu Smith-Schuster and George Iloka were all handed a one-game suspension as
well. With the most recent suspensions, this has sparked quite a discussion about whether or not
the NFL is inconsistent with their punishments. The issue at hand has to do with Roger Goodell
and the NFL distributing these suspensions in an unfair manner. The commissioner has handled
these suspensions poorly due to the mistreatment of some players compared to others when it
came to their actions. Goodell hasn’t been transparent with the players and the fans about these
suspensions and has proven to demonstrate that it won’t be fixed. The outcomes of these
suspensions has resulted in backlash from players, such as Mike Mitchell, owners, the media,
and fans. According to spotrac.com, the 217 infractions have varied from $3,000 fines to
$5,000,000 fines.
The issue at hand is very clear and has been a problem for the ever so loved
commissioner Roger Goodell for years. This year, on the other hand, has been one of the most
controversial years for player suspensions due to the fact that they have been the most
inconsistent in years. This issue results in a debate stating whether or not Roger Goodell and the
NFL should be allowed to run its own investigation into these incidents if they were already
perused by Law enforcement. For example, on August 11, the NFL finally handed down a six-
game suspension for Ezekiel Elliot to start the 2017 season. The year long investigation was a
result of a domestic violence case against Elliot in July of 2016. The twist to the story is that
Elliot was never charged but still served a six-game suspension after an arduous appeal process.
This goes back to the point about if it is right for the NFL to run its own investigation when there
were no criminal charges. The unfair decision making of these punishments allows for heated
debates about regarding some of the highest profile players. Why is it right for Tom Brady to get
suspended four games for barely deflating football’s when Rob Gronkowski only gets one game