BB Suspended Indefinitely

[Basis4day]

Browner is NOT being treated differently. He was in stage 3, he knew it (unless he was ridiculously stupid, which he actually kind of is) and he violated it. This victimhood you guys have is pretty revolting.

Again, it's not about being treated differently. It's about being treated fairly. The NFL Network (Which legally speaking IS the league) knowingly spread a report they knew to be false. The very definition of malice. Espn could have gotten a pass as "sloppy" reporting, but not the NFL Network. There is a legal distinction.

Secondly, the rules requiring drug testing while not even employed by a corporation can be argued as inherently unfair. No corporation can make such rules without scrutiny by the courts. Which is what the lawsuit will about.

He may end up losing a lawsuit for defamation and unfair labor practices. But no one can say he doesn't have an argument.

 

[HawkFan72]

Anyone here think that Browner could get cut in the next few hours?

And if he's not, then what else is due to come out?

Pete already said the new CBA allows players who are suspended to be around the team, and they fully expect to keep BB around for the rest of the year so they can be a support system.

 

[Laloosh]

Do you have access to information that we don't? The league offered a reduction which was declined. This was their response. What do you actually know beyond that?

What would you like to know. Here are the facts: Browner smoked an illegal (NFL wise) substance for which he was already on thin ice for previous infractions. Those tests he missed (and I agree it's a bad rule) were because he was already in the program. He was getting tested at least once a week. He knew at a minimum it would be 4 games if he got caught. But here's the ONLY necessary fact: BROWNER SMOKED POT WHEN HE KNEW HE WAS GOIING TO GET TESTED!!!!!! He's an idiot who let his team and fans down and likely cost himself an inordinate amount of money.

You claim to know more than anyone can know w/out first-hand knowledge unless you're relying on the same sources that seem to think he's got a very good case against the league.

I'm aware of all of the reporting. Been following it...

Did he smoke it or was he around someone who was smoking it? Doesn't matter with regard to testing cause/effect but it would make most reasonable human beings question the validity of literally taking a man's livelihood from them over 1 or even 2 failed tests.

I'd also venture a guess that he would be MUCH less likely to make waves with a heavy handed league/commissioner over tests that he was passing weekly if it weren't much of an inconvenience for him. Why bother as long as you're getting your checks, right? I'm not arguing accuracy or inaccuracy, I'm talking about common sense.

We can all make assumptions until the cows come home but if there is any truth to the things that have been reported, I don't care who the player is (or for which team they play)... those are unrealistic expectations to have for former employees.

I'm not all that concerned with BB not being a Seahawk next year but I have a real problem with how the league handles some of these things. If this is truly Browner's 1st (or even 2nd or 3rd failed test), he shouldn't even be suspended... period. That's what a reasonable person would think given how OTHER players have been handled under these policies. Browner is being treated differently.

Are those sources that say he has a case against the league the same sources that said that the yearlong supension was off the table and that he might be available to play in the playoffs? Because I read a lot of stuff like that and it doesn't seem to have worked out that way.

I don't know anything more than anyone else. I just don't rely on inch thick homer glasses and a victim mentality to interpret everything through. I stay mostly objective and try not to let fandom overcome common sense. I'm seeing a lot of the opposite.

Considering that they took the 1 year suspension off of the table long enough to offer a reduced suspension would indicate that said reports were fairly accurate.

Are your sources that say he was smoking marijuana the same ones that reported he was being suspended for PEDs? What does a failed test indicate, that someone smoked marijuana or that they had it in their system? Ever been to a party in a state where marijuana is legal? Obviously my statement is hyperbole but it speaks to the irony in your posts. You are trying to speak in absolutes about something that you have no first-hand knowledge of.

You don't know why he failed, how many times he failed or what happened during his time between the NFL and CFL yet you're certain that it's the result of Browner's stupidity alone and that the league bares no fault in this.

 

[HawKnPeppa]

Man, I want to know the bread and butter of the investigation. How clear was it made to Browner once he got into the program that he would have to continue taking the tests? How thorough were the attempts to find him? What was the basis for upholding the suspension? How did that conversation go?

Either way, dude messed up, bad. He's going to have a 6 or 7 year NFL career. And he can't stay off the chron for that long? He's going to probably once be the favorite to win the Super Bowl, and he can't stay off it for that season? One of my favorite players, but I have very little sympathy. The Seahawks decide to take a risk on a guy that was exiled to the CFL, put him in a defense that allowed him to be a pro-bowler, paid him extra this year for no reason at all, and this is how he repays us? Send his ass packing, and take Walter with you.

And I actually agree with this, but for others saying he has no case...who is "delusional?" The NFL had their part in this fiasco first by allowing him back into the league as a class 3 offender, then by levelling a 1 year suspension at him for their lazy, half-assed attempts at contacting him. Uphold your own damb lofty standards.

 

[brimsalabim]

This is absolute BS. What in the heck made this go from a questionable one year to indefinitely? I hope that the union gets him a good lawyer.

the union? Better yet is Paul Allen allowed to put his legal team on this?

 

[cdn hawk fan]

Please help me understand....
I think I read it some where that BB entered into the program to improve his draft status because of his college behaviour. Well before he entered the nfl.
He did not fail any tests but when he was cut by the broncos and moved to canada he missed some tests that he voluntarily entered in the first place not because of a failed test.....
Skip a head a few years.....and a few hundred missed pee tests....
He now gets tested well over 200 times as a seahawk and fails one, yes 1, pee test and is now suspended indefinitely.....
I also read that one failed test normally is a game cheque and nothing more....
He also tested clean for three years and should have been reduced to level 1 and not remain in level,3.....

Am I wrong or just missing the boat completely. ......

 

[Greenhell]

Please help me understand....
I think I read it some where that BB entered into the program to improve his draft status because of his college behaviour. Well before he entered the nfl.
He did not fail any tests but when he was cut by the broncos and moved to canada he missed some tests that he voluntarily entered in the first place not because of a failed test.....
Skip a head a few years.....and a few hundred missed pee tests....
He now gets tested well over 200 times as a seahawk and fails one, yes 1, pee test and is now suspended indefinitely.....
I also read that one failed test normally is a game cheque and nothing more....
He also tested clean for three years and should have been reduced to level 1 and not remain in level,3.....

Am I wrong or just missing the boat completely. ......

Sounds about right.

 

[Crabhawk]

I'm blanking on the author, but a few weeks back some one on the board linked to an article written by a former NFL player that was in the substance abuse program. The NFL was most certainly not accommodating. You show up when and where they tell you within 4 hours of receiving notice.

As others have pointed out, the question is whether a CBA is enforceable when one is no longer employed by a company, and hasn't been for a number of years, but eventually returns to said employer. I think that and HIPAA violations are probably his strongest case.

As an aside, the suspension may be "fair" by definition, but I think what many are getting at is whether it is just, which, of course, are different concepts. That little sh!t in Texas getting 10 years probation for affluenza may be fair by the law, but it is certainly not just. I'm torn on BB. He was stupid for lighting up, but based on the information that has been released, the punishment does not seem just.

Life isn't fair. I can go along with your argument that he didn't know thus it violated the letter of the law but we don't know if Browner ignored letters and was given a fair opportunity and didn't show up because he had weed in his system or the NFL failed to adequately communicate their transgressions about showing up to drug clinics. What I do know is that they are trying to enforce a drug policy (which is far more lenient for my tastes) and he willfully violated a couple drug policies. Accountability be damned for most but in my book, abstinence is the best policy.

Umm, I think you may need to re-read what I wrote, bro.

I never claimed life to be fair. I am actually agreeing that the suspension is fair. I never made the argument that that "he didn't know". Ignorance of the law is not an adequate defense (see my remarks on affluenza boy). My argument is that CBA enforceability along with medical privacy are probably his strongest avenues of recourse. I am not even arguing that I agree that the CBA is not enforceable or that his privacy was criminally or civilly violated, just that those seem to be the strongest arguments.

I know everyone is all hot and bothered by this, but seriously take time to respond instead of just reacting. I can think he's stupid for lighting up while still thinking the indefinite punishment is unjust. Those are not mutually exclusive.

 

[Carmon1274]

If it makes you feel any better greg williams' suspension has been lifted by the NFL.

Well how long as he been suspended? And he got a better deal when he told the truth about what happened and testified.


For me, the guy got suspended last year for 4 games. And got suspended again a month ago. Can't help it but he screwed up.

 

[AgentDib]

Please help me understand....
I think I read it some where that BB entered into the program to improve his draft status because of his college behaviour. Well before he entered the nfl.
He did not fail any tests but when he was cut by the broncos and moved to canada he missed some tests that he voluntarily entered in the first place not because of a failed test.....
Skip a head a few years.....and a few hundred missed pee tests....
He now gets tested well over 200 times as a seahawk and fails one, yes 1, pee test and is now suspended indefinitely.....
I also read that one failed test normally is a game cheque and nothing more....
He also tested clean for three years and should have been reduced to level 1 and not remain in level,3.....

Am I wrong or just missing the boat completely. ......

You have it mostly right, but he was still at level 3 for which the penalty is the indefinite suspension. Most of the discussion here is about those missed tests while he was in Canada, and whether he can convince a judge that he should be treated at level 1 instead. Obviously he thinks he can make a convincing case, and the NFL thinks he can't.

Where I disagree with you is on your emphasis on how many tests he passed. That does not matter, and should not matter. Failing a drug test for employment is like an engineer building a bridge that collapsed after 10 years. Nobody is going to be giving the engineer any awards for the 3600 days where the bridge worked fine. The issue is not about how much pot he smokes but whether he smoked it even once.

 

[GoHawks]

 

[Smelly McUgly]

Rog should off himself. I hope the NFL gets nailed to the wall on this one.

 

[Throwdown]

Get 'em BB, this is bullspit.

 

[bellyfat]

This just Goddell on a power trip.

But it looks like he's f'ing with the wrong man.

Go Brandon, take 'em all down.

 

[grizbob]

I blame his agent.

 

[KK84]

Seriously, can people stop bringing up his suspension last year? IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS CASE. AT ALL.

 

[HawkFan72]

I hope Browner drops Goodell just like he dropped Greg Jennings.

 

[Laloosh]

Please help me understand....
I think I read it some where that BB entered into the program to improve his draft status because of his college behaviour. Well before he entered the nfl.
He did not fail any tests but when he was cut by the broncos and moved to canada he missed some tests that he voluntarily entered in the first place not because of a failed test.....
Skip a head a few years.....and a few hundred missed pee tests....
He now gets tested well over 200 times as a seahawk and fails one, yes 1, pee test and is now suspended indefinitely.....
I also read that one failed test normally is a game cheque and nothing more....
He also tested clean for three years and should have been reduced to level 1 and not remain in level,3.....

Am I wrong or just missing the boat completely. ......

You have it mostly right, but he was still at level 3 for which the penalty is the indefinite suspension. Most of the discussion here is about those missed tests while he was in Canada, and whether he can convince a judge that he should be treated at level 1 instead. Obviously he thinks he can make a convincing case, and the NFL thinks he can't.

Where I disagree with you is on your emphasis on how many tests he passed. That does not matter, and should not matter. Failing a drug test for employment is like an engineer building a bridge that collapsed after 10 years. Nobody is going to be giving the engineer any awards for the 3600 days where the bridge worked fine. The issue is not about how much pot he smokes but whether he smoked it even once.

See bolded text. I have two responses to this:

1) According to the CBA (and reports), it would matter... if he hadn't been escalated to stage 3 while being out of the league he'd be out of the program entirely after two years of clean tests.

2) Completely disagree on your second point about engineers. We're talking about football players here, not nuclear sub skippers...

Done w/ this thread. We'll see how it all works out but if the reporting was accurate, I hope the NFL burns on this one.

 

[dontbelikethat]

So why did the NFL offer reduction to a 9 month then? They're slimy and I hope BB's lawyers nail the NFL's ass to the wall.

I wanted to just get this clear cause I'm a little confused. So I know that reports came out that the NFL offered to reduce the 1 season/year suspension by 3 months. Now from my understanding I thought they initially meant 1 NFL season suspension when he was suspended and not a entire calender year. So a regular NFL season is about 4 months(16 games, 4 per month), if they were to reduce it by 3 months, that would mean a 1 month/4 games suspension. I keep seeing people say 9 months, it just doesn't make sense to me why they would suspend him on a calendar year basis. It would be a 16 game basis (1 NFL season/year) and if that means it's reduced by 3months, it would be a 1month/4game suspension. If they banned him for 9months, he would probably still miss the entire NFL season depending on when they start the suspension since the NFL regular season is only about 4 months long. His suspension doesn't count on a time he wouldn't be able to play (offseason), so it just doesn't make sense to me.

 

[Njhawkboss]

Idk why they make a big deal of smoking weed I do it everyday lol and look on the bright side we get Thurmond back soon