Top 10 Stories of the Decade - #4 Violence & The NFL

This decade in the NFL has seen many exciting moments on the field. We saw a team go 16-0, we saw one thrilling Super Bowl after another, and we saw the NFL cement its place at the top of the American sporting landscape. But, we also saw scandals, tragedy, and violence affect the league off the field as dogfighting becoming a part of our common vocabulary. Our #4 Story of the Decade chronicles Violence & the NFL.

While the NBA has the reputation as the league that has an image and violence problem, this decade the NFL has seen too many stories on the front pages of sports sections all across the country with off-field incidents. Some of these incidents have been blips on the radar: countless players have been charged with assault, or involved in domestic disputes, caught with drugs, alcohol, or pulled over for speeding. These have become such common occurrences that we don't even blink an eye (Falcons DT Jonathan Babineaux was found in possession of marijuana this season and played two days later, Super Bowl MVP Santonio Holmes is another example). However, there have been many other stories where players have been perpetrators and victims of even more severe violence. Here's a list of the incidents that sent shockwaves through the NFL and the sports world:

Ray Lewis (Jan 2000) –

The All-Pro Ravens LB was charged with murder after two people died in an altercation after a Super Bowl party in Atlanta. Eventually, Lewis settled for pleading guilty to obstruction of justice and was fined $250,000 by the NFL after he was found to be a peacemaker in the confrontation. The next year he won the Super Bowl MVP. Even though he was cleared of all involvement in the murder, Lewis was passed over in favor of QB Trent Dilfer to say, “I’m going to Disney World.” Lewis’ reputation since the incident has been impeccable.

Fred Lane (July 2000) – The Panthers RB was shot and killed by his wife in his home months after being traded to Indianapolis. Though the defense decried it was the case of self-defense after suffering sustained abuse, she pled guilty to charges of voluntary manslaughter and was released from prison earlier this year. Lane was 24.

Love Boat Scandal (Oct 2005) – Several Minnesota Vikings players were involved in scandal on the waters of Lake Minnetonka. Two boats filled with players hired prostitutes and strippers from around the country as members of the Vikings engaged in public sexual actions. Embarrassment was brought to the organization as Fred Smoot, Bryant McKinnie, and Moe Williams were guilty of misdemeanor disorderly conduct.

Darrent Williams (Jan 2007) – The young Broncos CB was shot dead in Denver in the early morning hours of January 1^st. Williams was not involved in an incident at a Denver nightclub earlier in the evening, but fell victim to a drive-by shooting later in the evening. Williams was 24.

PacMan Jones (2005-2007) –

Perhaps the most infamous poster child of the league’s personal conduct policy. Jones was involved in several off-field incidents and arrested numerous times. The most serious of which involved a shooting at a Las Vegas strip club in February 2007. The Titans corner accepted a plea deal after being charged with two felonies. Later that year, the PacMan was suspended for the entire 2007 season by NFL Commish Roger Goodell. After a controversial year with the Cowboys, Jones was released in February 2009.

Tank Johnson (2006-2007) – While not the star of the personal conduct policy like PacMan Jones, Tank Johnson was suspended for half of a season in 2007. Johnson’s bodyguard was killed in a 2006 Chicago shooting and the Bears DT then served jail time for weapons charges in 2007. After being cut by the Bears, Tank signed with the Cowboys and currently plays with Cincinnati.

Mike Vick (2007) – The most well-known sports scandal of the pre-Tiger decade. Vick, the star of the Atlanta Falcons, and one of the icons of the league, became embroiled in trouble in April 2007. A drug investigation into his cousin led police to discover dog-fighting activities on Vick’s property. In a few months, Vick’s world came tumbling down as the sports world learned about dogfighting and Bad Newz Kennels. Vick not only admitted to leading the dogfighting ring, but being implemented in funding and gambling associated with it. Perhaps even more shockingly, Vick was found to have brutally executed dogs who underperformed as well.

Michael Vick was sentenced to 23 months in jail in federal prison on December 10, 2007. The controversy surrounding Vick exposed a shocking culture of dogfighting and pure cruelty that appalled America. The fact that this was one of the faces of the NFL who was involved in such abhorrent behavior was all the more stunning. Vick was indefinitely suspended by the NFL and returned 2 years later to play for the Philadelphia Eagles. Despite small protests, Vick has returned without controversy to the NFL. Recently, he was awarded with the Ed Block Courage Award by his Eagles teammates for his comeback. To his credit, Vick has appeared to make the most of his second chance thus far by partnering with the Humane Society and speaking out against dogfighting.

Sean Taylor (Nov 2007) –

The Redskins safety was the tragic victim of a shooting in his Florida home while recovering from an injury in 2007. Taylor died as a result of a gunshot wound to his femoral artery during an attempted robbery. The death of the All-Pro safety shook the NFL and the Redskins memorably took the field against the Bills in their first game after Taylor’s death with 10 men. Taylor was 24.

Plaxico Burress (Nov 2008) – Perhaps the most ridiculous case this decade came in 2008 when the man who caught the game winning TD in the Super Bowl shot himself in the leg… literally. The Giants receiver had no license to carry the gun in New York and is currently serving a two-year prison sentence under strict New York gun law.

Donte Stallworth (Mar 2009) – A year after signing a 7 year contract with the Browns, Stallworth struck and killed a pedestrian with his car in Miami. While the pedestrian was not in a crosswalk, Stallworth was over the blood alcohol limit. He was convicted of DUI and manslaughter and served 30 days in jail. He’s currently suspended for the 2009 season.

Steve McNair (July 2009) – The former Titans QB, so known for his heart and inspiration, was shot by his mistress on July 4^th. McNair’s gruesome death and the details of his affair were shocking considering his positive reputation. The former All-Pro was the victim of a murder-suicide. McNair was 36.

Chris Henry (2005-2007, Dec 2009) –

Along with PacMan and Tank, Chris Henry was one of the notables of the NFL’s personal conduct policy. He was suspended for 8 games in 2007 for multiple incidents including drunk driving and gun charges. Henry returned to the Bengals and had seemed to straighten while resigning with the Bengals before the 2009 season. A month after being placed on IR, Henry died after falling out of a truck driven by his fiancé during a domestic dispute. To this date, details are scarce about exactly what happened that day. Henry was 26.

That’s a dozen cases of serious violence, including many cases involving guns and murder. In 2007, new commish Roger Goodell implemented an NFL Personal Conduct Policy to address these instances and improve the image of the league. While the personal conduct policy is a step, nobody is quite sure how it works. Has it been a success? Sure, it’s suspended players for wrong-doings, but is it accomplishing anything? Is it a success when Pro Bowlers are killing dogs and Super Bowl heroes are sitting in a jail cell? Is the league not suffering even more from this problem of violence than 3 years ago?

Fans are left wondering when tragedy will strike their team next. Perhaps no story has been more underreported and yet so much a common fabric of American sports in recent years. Violence and the NFL has been a constant headline throughout the decade. Will there be another next Vick, Stallworth, or Burress? Is it a question of if, or when another distressing incident happens. Heck, a 2 time Super Bowl champ, Ben Roethlisberger, is in a sexual assault lawsuit, and it has barely been reported.

Sadly, nobody is shocked anymore when the latest player involved in trouble scrolls across the bottom of our screens. Even more troubling, the sight of NFL stars dying or being gunned down at an early age has become all too common this decade. What will the NFL do in the coming years to help its players and reverse the violent trend that has afflicted the league? Furthermore, the growing number of premature health problems and death caused by brain trauma (Mike Webster, Andre Waters, etc.) and the ascension of concussions are a major on-field concern.

For the first time in many years, the NFL is on seriously shaky ground. These next 10 years will be vitally important for the NFL and its players. Will violence destroy the most popular sports league in the world or will the NFL and its players stand up and find a way to take violence out of the game that millions love? While everybody wants to see that question answered in a positive way, there are uncertain times ahead.