NFL: Inexcusable

On Sunday, the Tennessee Titans' Defensive Tackle Albert Haynesworth committed a criminal act against a fellow player when he brought thug-life to the field and stomped - twice - on the face of a helmet-less Andre Gurode of the Dallas Cowboys.

Haynesworth, by the way, has a history of on-field incidents to include: kicking his own teammate, Justin Hartwig, in the chest during a team practice in 2003; getting into a fight with another teammate later that year - and being suspended for the final game of the season; and while in college, leaving the field after getting into it with team mate Will Ofenheusle, then returning to the field with a long pole resulting in a half-game suspension by the University of Tennessee.

Haynesworth was ejected from the game and the NFL informed the Titans of the "penalty" on Monday afternoon.

The NFL is immediately suspending Haynesworth for 5 games without pay. That's it. As far as the NFL is concerned, Haynesworth is eligible to return to the field on November 19th.

Titans' coach Jeff Fisher had said that if the NFL's punishment were insufficient, the Titans would take the matter into their own hands. Unfortunately, Fisher says he believes "what the league has done right now is adequate."

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell understands "There is absolutely no place in the game, or anywhere else, for the inexcusable action that occurred in (Sunday's) Titans-Cowboys game;" however, Goodell saw clear to punish Haynesworth only 5 games.

Financially, Haynesworth will lose a mere $190,070. Apparently, Haynesworth is actually deliberating whether or not he will appeal the suspension.

Great!

Here's the plan.

Professional sports ought to immediately implement a plan whereby players who disgrace themselves and the game (drugs, alcohol, assault and other crimes) are presented with their penalties by the League. The player should then have the option of immediately accepting their routine pittance of a punishment, or the player can appeal... to a panel of fans.

Sure, I know fans are not "peers" (if we want to stay in line with the American jury system), but the NFL, MLB and other professional sporting organizations consistently demonstrate their inability to effectively deal with their rule and law-breaking athletes.

I want to be first on Haynesworth's panel. I'd give him nothing less than a lifetime suspension from the NFL, all of its facilities, and revoke any privileges he may have had in using the NFL (and associated teams) name - meaning he may not profit from activities where he is billed as a former NFL player a la OJ Simpson. On his way out the door, he would have to apologize to his victim in front of a full stadium on Gurode's home field.

Perhaps I'm a dreamer... suggesting that the NFL, MLB, etc.. grow a sac and actually punish their players who, like Haynesworth, repeatedly demonstrate their disregard for the law, the rules, and the safety of their fellow players.

In this case, the only thing more disgraceful than Haynesworth's inexcusable attack - is the NFL'S even more-inexcusable "punishment."