The 20 Worst Player Suspensions in NFL Under Roger Goodell
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The 20 Worst Player Suspensions in NFL Under Roger Goodell
SEE BELOW: 20 Worst Player Suspensions in NFL Under Roger Goodell
Goodell took over as Commissioner on September 1, 2006. The following year, Goodell implemented a new NFL Personal Conduct Policy to address the growing number of arrests and drug use off the field. Goodell really made his mark in 2011 when he suspended eight players and coaches on the New Orleans Saints for the Bountygate scandal.
Notable players not on this list include Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger who was suspended for four games following accusations that violated the NFL's personal conduct guidelines and former Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice who was initially suspended for two games, then suspended indefinetly, and then ultimately the suspension was vacated.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTHere are the 20 worst and longest player suspensions handed down by Commissioner Goodell:
The 20 Worst Player Punishments in NFL History
#20
Player: Weslye Saunders
Team: Indianpolis Colts
Year: 2013
Suspension: 8 Game Suspension
Reason: 2nd Violation of NFL's Substance Abuse Policy (Adderall - 1st offense, unknown - 2nd offense)
Photo Credit: "Weslye Saunders" by Jeffrey Beall - Own work.
#19
Player: Chris Henry
Team: Cincinatti Bengals
Year: 2007
Suspension: 8 Games
Reason: Violation of Personal Conduct Policy
"Chrishenry". Licensed under Fair use via Wikipedia
#18
Player: Tank Johnson
Team: Chicago Bears/Dallas Cowboys
Year: 2007
Suspension: 8 Game Suspension
Reason: Following an arrest for gun-related charges while with the Bears, Johnson was suspended for 8 games. Following a second run in with the law, Johnson was released by the Bears and signed with the Cowboys. He served his 8 games with the Cowboys.
Photo Credit: "Tank Johnson at 2010 training camp" by Navin Rajagopalan
#17
Player: Jonathan Vilma
Team: New Orleans Saints
Year: 2012
Suspension: 10 Games
Reason: Bountygate - Besides the head coach and GM, Vilma took the brunt of the suspension for Bountygate following accusations that he offered to pay $10,000 for any teammate that injured Brett Favre in the 2009 NFC Championship Game.
#16
Player: Josh Brent
Team: Dallas Cowboys
Year: 2014
Suspension: 10 Games
Reason: In a sad story, Brent was driving under the influence with teammate Jerry Brown when he crashed his car - killing Brown. Brent was charged with murder. Upon returning to the league after serving time in prison, he was suspended 10 games. He would later leave the league to focus on his personal health.
#15
Player: Frank Alexander
Team: Carolina Panthers
Year: 2014
Suspension: 10 Games
Reason: 2nd Violation in 1 year of League's Performance Enhancing Drugs Policy
#14
Player: LaRon Landry
Team: Indianapolis Colts
Year: 2015
Suspension: 10 Games
Reason: Violation of League's Performance Enhancing Drugs Policy
#13
Player: Greg Hardy
Team: Carolina Panthers
Year: 2014, 2015
Suspension: 15 games (2014), 10 Games (2015)
Reason: Violation of Personal Conduct Policy - Accused of domestic assault
#12
Player: Koren Robinson
Team: Green Bay Packers
Year: 2006
Suspension: 1 Year Suspension
Reason: 3rd Violation of League's Substance Abuse Policy - High Speed Car Chase that led to arrest
#11
Player: Daryl Washington
Team: Arizona Cardinals
Year: 2014
Suspension: 1 Year Suspension
Reason: 2nd Violation of NFL's Substance Policy
Photo Credit: "Daryl Washington" by Broderick Delaney - Flickr
#10
Player: Dion Jordan
Team: Miami Dolphins
Year: 2015
Suspension: 1 Year Suspension
Reason: 3rd Violation of NFL's Performance Enhancing Substance Policy
#9
Player: Donte Stallworth
Team: Cleveland Browns
Year: 2009
Suspension: Suspended for 1 Season
Reason: Plead Guilty to DUI Manslaughter
#8
Player: Adam Jones
Team: Tennessee Titans
Year: 2007
Suspension: One Year Suspension
Reason: Violation of NFL Player Conduct Policy (First player in 44 years to be suspended for a reason other than substance abuse.)
Photo Credit: "Adam Pacman Jones" by emeybee - Own work.
#7
Player: Ricky Williams
Team: Miami Dolphins
Year: 2006
Suspension: Suspended for one season (2006)
Reason: 4th Violation of NFL Drug Policy
Photo Credit: Chris J. Nelson
#6
Player: Josh Gordon
Team: Cleveland Browns
Year: 2015, 2014
Suspension: One Year (2015), 10 Games (2014)
Reason: Arrested for DWI in 2014, Tested Positive for Alcohol Use (2015) -3 Violations of League's Substance Abuse Policy
Image: "Josh Gordon 2014 Browns Training Camp" by Erik Daniel Drost - Flickr.
#5
Player: Fred Davis
Team: Washington Redskins
Year: 2014
Suspension: Indefinite Suspension (Reinstated for 2015 Season - Signed with New England Patriots)
Reason: Failed Drug Tests in 2011, Failed Drug Tests in 2013
Photo:"Fred davis 2010" by Keith Allison on Flickr
#4
Player: Michael Vick
Team: Atlanta Falcons
Year: 2007, 2008
Suspension: 2 year suspension
Reason: Violation of Player Conduct Policy - Involvement in Bad Newz Kennel Dog fighting investigation
#3
Player: Justin Blackmon
Team: Jacksonville Jaguars
Year: 2013
Suspension: Suspended Indefinetly
Reason: Violated League's Substance Abuse and Drug Policy twice in 2013, arrested for marijuana possession in 2014.
#2
Player: Tanard Jackson
Team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Washington Redskins
Year: 2010, 2014
Suspension: Suspended Indefinetly
Reason: Violations of NFL Drug Policy
#1
Player: Odell Thurman
Team: Cincinatti Bengals
Year: 2006, 2007, 2008
Suspension: Suspended for 2006 and 2007 season, Indefinetly suspended in 2008
Reason: Failed two drug tests in three seasons, arrested for DUI, arrested for assault (broke a man's jaw).
