Friday, April 13, 2007 New NFL Policy goes into effect By Danielle Brown sports editor The NFL developed a new policy that aims to improve players' off-the-field behaviors. NFL players will be suspended longer for neg ative behavior. Also, the team is now respon sible for its players' conduct, meaning that if someone gets into trouble, the team would suffer consequences as well. For example, a team may have to forfeit a draft pick. On Tuesday, Tennessee Titan's cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones was suspended without pay for the entire 2007 NFL season for violat ing the personal conduct policy. He will lose $1,292,500, which was supposed to be his 2007 base salary. Off the football field, there have been 10 reported incidents that Jones has been involved with the police. The most recent incident took place at a strip club in Las Vegas, where he had been allegedly involved in a fight and a shooting that left a man par- alyzed. Along with Jones, Cincinnati Bengals' wide receiver Chris Henry was also suspended for violating the NFL personal conduct policy. He was suspended without pay for eight games, causing him to lose $204,705.88. Over a 14-month period, Henry was arrested four times. As a result of these arrests, Henry was benched by Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis and was suspended for two games by the NFL. In light of the most recent incidents, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell wrote letters to both players saying that they were an embar rassment to themselves, their clubs and to the NFL. He also said that they have failed to live up to the standards of NFL players. There are conditions that both Jones and NFL One-Year Suspensions "Pacman" Jones Personal Conduct Season 2007 -Ricky Williams 2006 Onterrio Smith 2005 Darrell Russel 2002 Art Schlichter 1983 1963 Alex Karras Paul Hornung 1963 CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Tennessee Titan cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones. Henry have to follow due to their suspensions. They must not have any more confrontations with law enforcement. They also must attend any required counseling, education or treat ment allocated by the NFL. Jones specifically must stay off the Titans' facility until May 31, 2007. On June 1, he will be able to spend one day a week at the facili ty. Jones must also come up with a communi ty service project and get it approved by the NFL. If Jones and Henry do not obey these conditions, they could be suspended from the league indefinitely. The NFL plans to continue punishing play ers using this strict new policy with the hopes of building the league's reputation. Substance Abuse Substance Abuse Substance Abuse Gambling Gambling Gambling Reason Source: ESPN.com in)rr INTRAMURAL UPDATE Veteran leadership carries golf team The Behrend golf team is looking forward to its upcoming tournaments, coming off a sixth place performance by the men at the Westminster Invitational tournament on April 2. While there are both men and women who compete in the golf tournaments, only the men are ranked against other teams in the field. Freshman Joe Nelson led the team with his score of 79 in the tournament. Head coach James Bowen says he feels the veteran leadership is the strongpoint of this year's team. "Right now the strength of the men's team is my veteran players," Bowen said. "I have four seniors, two juniors, two sophomores and three freshmen. It is always good to have veteran players to help the new guys." Bowen believes that the veterans' experi entes help their performance. "All of my play ers have lots of golf experience and know how to manage their game when in competition." He says that there is great chemistry among the team members as well. "Also, most of my play- Water polo players come from across the U.S. Penn State Behrend water polo players from all around the country Penn State Behrend is making a splash with water polo players from all over the country. Rody Acelor has been on the Behrend water polo team for three years now. "I'm from Miami, Florida, and I've never really seen snow before coming here, so that was awe some the first time I saw snow," said Acelor. For Acelor, his the main reason for attending Behrend is because most schools near him do not have a water polo team. "Behrend is one of the few colleges here that has water polo. Florida doesn't have water polo in pretty much most of the colleges," he said. Florida has a lot of water, warmth and beaches, so to not have a water polo team around the area was a major inconvenience for Acelor. However, Acelor is happy with his decision to continue playing, even though Erie is relatively far away from his home. Distance was a major factor at first, but deciding to come to Erie was well worth it to him. In addition, many other players come from other states on the opposite side of the coun try. Mitchell Dweliey front San Diego, California. "I had lived on the West Coast my whole life, and I transferred from a junior col lege, so I had two years left of school. I fig ured, why not try something new and move out el ~....) By Tommy Phillips staff writer By Lisa Hinkston contributing writer The Behrend Beacon I ers hang out together and get along well with each other," Bowen said. When it comes to the women's team, Bowen realizes that the roster is small, with only four players as compared to the 11 on the men's team. However, he says he is hopeful that the women's team will gain more member and get better next season. "I am having trouble field ing a women's team, but the women I do have really enjoy the game," Bowen said. "My entire women's team is freshmen right now. I am hoping that they all return, and with some good prospects coming in next fall, I hope to have a strong women's team that will compete with some of our Division 111 rivals." Bowen says he is very optimistic about the future of both the men and women's teams. "I have high expectations of next year's men's and women's teams," Bowen said. "Maybe we will be in the hunt to win another AMCC championship for Behrend." The golf team will be in action in two tour naments this upcoming week. The team will participate in the Grove City Invitational on Monday, and then host the Behrend Invitational on Thursday. here," said Dwelley. Dwelley came to Behrend for a better education and to play a sport he loves, water polo. "I like the educa tion and this is the only Penn State campus with a team," he said. When speaking of the team, Dwelley appeared to be glad to be around such a great group of people. "It's dif ferent, because back home I know what to expect. Here though, everyone is new, but I like it. I have become such good friends with everyone on the team," said Dwelley. Even though Dwelley has only been part of the Behrend team for a year, he is happy with his decision. Dwelley has built lasting friend ships and is playing a sport which means a great deal to him. Overall, he is happy he chose to attend Behrend despite Erie's bitter cold temperatures. Many people from around the nation are moving to Erie to play water polo. Though snow may not always be one of Erie's biggest attractions, those interested in water polo are interested in staying in the city. Erie is a city with a lot to offer in various athletic programs whether it is intramurals, club or varsity sports. Water polo is a varsity sport at Behrend and is important to both Acelor and Dwelley. Though uncommon in various warm parts of the nation, it continues to spike it big in the colder cities, such as Erie. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
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