And now, Adam "Pacman" Jones is coming back.
What's next—a 35-year anniversary celebration of O.J. Simpson's 2,000-yard rushing season?
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones announced Wednesday that his delinquent cornerback will return starting with a Dec. 7 game at Pittsburgh. The franchise and some of its fans are assuredly thrilled at receiving help for their shaky secondary.
The rest of us want to take a shower.
While a few of his peers have committed worse transgressions, Jones is the public face of abhorrent behavior among active players. Six arrests and 13 scrapes with the law—combined with a sickening lack of remorse along the way—will do that.
With such an extensive police record, Jones would struggle to get more than a minimum-wage job in the real world. He might even be in prison. But this is the NFL, where physical talent will get you chance after chance to become a millionaire.
Are we to really believe that anything will change after a quickie alcohol-rehabilitation program and six-game suspension? Jones couldn't get his act together even after being barred for the entire 2007 campaign. Jones squandered more chances than all the interceptions dropped earlier this season when he did play.
Quite frankly, I'm stunned that a commissioner who cares as much about the NFL's image as Roger Goodell would leave the league and himself open for more ridicule. He should have let Jones sit for the rest of the season, which would have reemphasized Goodell's mantra that playing in the NFL is a privilege and not a right.
Instead, this is just wrong.
Jerry Jones also deserves some of the blame. He was the enabler who thought surrounding Adam Jones with bodyguards would help him stay on the straight and narrow. But as usual, trouble followed this Pacman closer than Blinky, Inky, Pinky and Clyde.
Come to think of it, those are great nicknames for the security team that engaged in the alcohol-fueled brawl with Adam Jones that led to this current suspension.
After the Cowboys were trounced by the New York Giants 17 days ago, Jerry Jones was asked whether he regretted acquiring Pacman. His response is what you'd expect from an owner who turned a blind eye to his team's off-field shenanigans in the 1990s: "Not at all."
"Adam was playing at a very high level when we lost him and has been missed on the field," Jerry Jones said. "I do regret the embarrassment that has been involved with him. But frankly, I had that measured and knew that was part of the risk."
Maybe this story will have a happy ending. Maybe this latest suspension will truly put Adam Jones on the right track. Maybe the bodyguards that Jerry Jones says he will no longer provide aren't needed to keep Pacman out of bars and nightclubs.
I just don't see it.
In the meantime, Adam Jones will continue to draw attention away from some of the NFL's feel-good stories. One of them is Tennessee's quest for a perfect season.
But here's something to ponder: The Titans (10-0) haven't lost since trading Pacman to Dallas in April. I'm not saying that's the main reason Tennessee is faring so well. Still, it surely helps that Titans players and coaches no longer have to deal with all the distractions and negativity that Jones brought into their locker room.
That's now Dallas' problem. And if Adam Jones screws up again, the Cowboys and NFL only have themselves to blame for the fallout.
This article originally published on FOXSports.com.
Click here to read more of Alex's columns.
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about 1 month ago
Good article. Kind of makes you wonder why that incredible level of talent would be placed in such an empty vessel!
about 1 month ago
Anyone who bets on football is a joke in the first place and who cares if they lost money! I just want to laugh at them. In the grand scheme of things Pittsburgh won and that is all that matters. Who cares if they didn't cover the spread? Oh wait only the people who lost money and all I can say is haha!
Jones did what the league told him to do. So, it was up to them in regards to reinstating him. Even with him reinstated he's not going to play until December 7th.
Donavaon McNabb may have now know the overtime rules, but who cares? The last tie was 6 years ago. I'm pretty sure McNabb knew the most important rule of overtime if you score first you win.
about 1 month ago
he made Roger happy and he did say that it was depending on what he did and if he got his treatment and supposedly he did 1 last chance wouldn't hurt
the nfl doesn't need another another draft bust they already have 10
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/79442-the-top-10-nfl-draft-busts-of-all-time
about 1 month ago
Alex, you're right on point on this one. No disagreement. Pacman Jones is an embarrassment and if he wasn't playing for the Cowboys, he wouldn't be getting another 'shot' (pun intended).
about 1 month ago
2/3 rds of us have voted he should be reinstated! i guess we all don t want to hit the showers, lol. judge not yet ye be judged! Alcohol casuses problems mentally. when you have a problem it s hard to take blame. Jones has taken a good step. Goodell ok ed him back after counselors reccomnedations that he was ok to go back to work! it s his job! Anyone of us would want the same treatment after admitting a mistake or mistakes in judgment! Sometimes you hit rock bottom , sometimes you get it together without losing everything! iTS up to Jones to man up and become a different person and quiet the critics! No one s perfect and sometimes it takes years to realize your the problem not everyone else! Going to rehab is owning up ansd showing you want to change and admiiting a problem. it s a 1st step! don t throw logs in the mans road to becoming a better person. Alcohol is a drug like others it takes a hold of people and brings on anger issues, lack of coping skills and mental insecuity. It s to easy to be critical and hard to be supportive, Cheer for jones, he s trying to become well. Good luck to him and all others with anger and coping skill problems. Money does not bring happiness, support and friedship real, true, caring by people is so much more valuable, I hope pacman gets that! thomas
about 1 month ago
don t get me wrong ! very good article! i blasted pro athletes in one of my first articles about attitudes dumb statements acting like a horses ass! BUT........ alcohol and or drugs causes you to stay in denail quite a while while you think all is ok! we all know it s not, seeing certain behavior in people. But sometimes they finally get it with good counseling and help! If PAcman 's behavior stemmed from just acting dumb while drinking i hope he learns. he won t get too many more chances ! we all know that too! Bad association breeds bad habits. Matbe he needs new friends!! lol. now oj thats another story! as i was driving home i heard about ocho cinco missing a meeting, falling asleep . something! well the bengals are a mess too huh! H e s about done there too. What s wrong with these guys. 30 years old recievers with an attitude! who wants him next? Dallas? LOL Thomas
about 1 month ago
Alex,
I completely disagree with you. Yes Adam has has some run ins with the law but the last one was something that should have not even gone to Goodell. It was a internal matter. The hotel, the police and even the bodyguard said it was no big deal. Oh just something to think about...what about Albert Haynesworth? The dude stomped on a guys head during a national televised game. But now he is loved by everyone. How is that??
about 1 month ago
Even if Pac came close to being involved with an issue he sould have been kicked out of the league. I don't buy the whole the NFL is a privelege anymore. What Goodell has proved is he's willing to suspend people... nothing with banishment.
We'll see how he handles Vick.
about 1 month ago
I'm a Cowboys Fan and live in Dallas. This was over blown from the word go. The media has been chomping at the bit to find anything and everything negative about Pac'. For that matter, the media actually bought into the whole "Jessica jinx" last year. Are you kidding me??? This town is fickle and the media is always looking for a story. When TO came to town it was the same thing. For the most part, TO has been a model citizen. Pac and the like will never have any peace...
about 1 month ago
I'm not a Cowboys fan but I don't think he should have suspended at all for his latest incident which was a fight with his body guard. It's silly to suspend him for something so trivial.
Clinton Portis said that if you hang out with someone all the time then sometimes things will get heated. I completely agree. Besides, it could've have been much of a fight anyways, that body gurad is twice his size. No police action was even taken. I don't think they even filed a report.
During Jones 1 year suspension he seemed to clean up his act and hasn't been in the trouble with the law for over a year, at least nothing as serious as for what he got suspended for.
about 1 month ago
Goodell reinstated Jone because he was tired of dealing with the questions. It was actually pretty smart on his part. Knowing the Adam Jones can't control himself, if he messes up again, which is very likely Goodell can just kick him out of the league for good. Right now it is up to Jones on whether he has a career in the league. Goodell is just giving him enought rope to hang himself. I hope Adam Jones can get it right this time.
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