The Cincinnati Bengals' official web site is reporting that suspended linebacker Odell Thurman has filed a claim of disability discrimination against the NFL, and Pro Football Talk is reporting that suspended Buccaneers cornerback Torrie Cox has filed a similar claim. The players say the league is discriminating against them because of the league's belief that they're alcoholics.
John Michels, the lawyer for Thurman (pictured) says precedent is on his side because of a similar ruling involving an NBA suspension:
Michels cited a recent precedent. The EEOC ruled in favor of Roy Tarpley, the former Dalllas Mavericks forward banned in 1995 for violating the league's substance abuse policy. The commission said the NBA violated the Americans with Disabilities Act when it didn't reinstate Tarpley even though he had passed all drug tests taken in the last four years.The Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits employers from taking actions against employees based on the employees' disabilities, and alcoholism is, under law, a disability. This could be the first major challenge to Commissioner Roger Goodell's get-tough policies on player conduct.
ADVERTISEMENT
_thumbnail.jpg "NASCAR Cowboy Hats")
Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 6)
1. I am so glad that someone is challenging Goddell.
Posted at 10:21PM on Aug 16th 2007 by myra
2. yes let me tell you i am so excited someone challenged him!!!! now i can still play football and do whatever i want and put people in harms way. now i can be a great influence for the kids!! please. this is ridiculous!!!!
Posted at 10:57PM on Aug 16th 2007 by breadnbutter
3. Well since football is mostly black players, they can't play the race card so why not find another reason to sue.
Posted at 11:20PM on Aug 16th 2007 by Kim
4. The lawsuit against Imus has a better shot than this and it has none.
Posted at 11:25PM on Aug 16th 2007 by jon
5. Do you all just get on here to bitch. and why does everything have to do with race get over it. Odell Thurman should sue the NFL. Hes an alcoholic who is banned for two years, and Pacman Jones is only getting a year..and Tank johnson less than that, when hes involved with guns and murders. You be your kids role model, don't blame your kids or someone elses because of what they watch on tv. People like you hate athletes because they are jealous that they couldn't cut it. What if a press followed you and everyone knew every wrong thing you ever did. Would people think you're a role model?
Posted at 12:01AM on Aug 17th 2007 by memphishutchinson
6. Why do some of you people feel so comfortable, sitting at home, on your computers and write racially charged comments. You are the same people who complain about someone using the "race cards", when a lot of you are "okay" with using stupid race related comments about anyone or anything connected with non white people. There is also a large segement of you who claim there is no problem with race in this country. If anyone of you took the time to read some of the terrible blog comments, you folks would have to be blantantly ignorant to realize their isn't a problem with race in the good 'ole U S of A. Or do you think the blog comments are writen by people in other countries?
SOME DAYS I WOULD LIKE TO READ A BLOG COMMENT THAT DOESANT BEGIN OR END IN IGNORANT RACIAL COMMENTS.
Perhaps in an alternate, kind universe, it exists.
Posted at 12:58AM on Aug 17th 2007 by just wonderin
7. Thank You 5 and 6
Posted at 1:13AM on Aug 17th 2007 by LB
8. This is a winnable case with out a doubt. Every company I have ever worked for has a policy in place to give you a chance to better yourself if you become inflicted with drugs or alcohol. But you have to make those AAA or rcovering drug meetings to prove you are serious about getting well.
Post#3 Does it bother you that the game of football is prodominently black PLAYERS ? and why would you notice this anyway ?
Posted at 6:35AM on Aug 17th 2007 by tempalert
9. I think if I was making that much money doing something I love i could straighten up my act and stay out of trouble. he's a fantastic football player but also have behavior problems all during his career at UGA.
Posted at 6:43AM on Aug 17th 2007 by AC
10. Where is the Black Pride¿ I don't know any Blacks who are 200 years old. Minnesota never had any Black Slaves! Get over it!
Posted at 6:53AM on Aug 17th 2007 by Hofnar
11. One of the nice things about being a Marine is the only color we refer to is "green", either you are or you aren't, kind of allows a commonality among us. My thoughts on this is there is a danger if the NFL or any other organization uses the "court of public opinion" in reaching suspension decisions. I care little for "Vick" for example one way or the other, simply because he isn't on my favorite team, but any suspension or outright firing should be based on the results of his legal proceedings after and not before they are completed. If the "Code of Ethics" is a condition of employment and it is "proven to be violated" after litigation then no one can or should complain of the result nor look for excuses to justify improper behavior after the fact. Seems simple and a whole lot less controversial.
Posted at 7:02AM on Aug 17th 2007 by Larry Lambert
12. Michael who??
Posted at 7:04AM on Aug 17th 2007 by nightowl
13. Two more players that can't take responsibility for their own actions. Just like Pacman, blame everything on the Commish.
Posted at 7:15AM on Aug 17th 2007 by Havok
14. The new commissioners get tough policy on NFL players is somewhat draconian. He suspends players for drinking, suspends a player being under suspicion of criminal activity (PacMan Jones), suspends another for being indicted on criminal activity (Michael Vick) and in the last two neither one has been convicted of anything!! Goodell says yes they are innocent in the eyes of the law but according to more important NFL they are guilty so need to be suspended. The get tough policy should only be used to those NFL players who have actually been convicted of crimes not those who are suspected of criminal activity or those players who have been indicted by yet not even brought to trial.
Lastly, the NFL is a job like any other and a innocent person (as defined in our system of jurisprudence) should not be, more importantly better not be denied a chance to earn a living because one person (Goodell) thinks that person may harm the business. I guess Goodell is taking following as his role model G. Bush and believes he is above everyone else and can do whatever he pleases and not answerable to law or morality!!!!!
Posted at 7:42AM on Aug 17th 2007 by Anthony
15. The ADA does NOT protect you if you are found under the influence a banned/controlled substance while performing your work. If they tested positive WHILE performing their job, they don't have a leg to stand on. Most employers will NOT suspend/fire if you come forward BEFORE you are tested. Screaming about their legal rights AFTER someone is caught doing something they know is wrong is akin to the burglar who isn't in the least bit sorry he broke into your house, he's just sorry he got caught.
PS. Leave the race issue in the john where it belongs.. it's crap!
Posted at 7:56AM on Aug 17th 2007 by Marlon
16. The problems begin early on. These players think they are privelged. What ever happened to the student athletes in the college ranks? Half of the colleges have players that can't hardly spell their names. Stop taking these mental and moral idiots and giving them big money that they neither deserve nor can handle. The entire professional sports world is a disgrace. All will begin to suffer soon when the educated fans begin to realize where their hard earned dollars they spend on tickets and team apparel are really being spent.
Posted at 7:58AM on Aug 17th 2007 by LJC
17. Football is the greatest sport, reguardless who is playing. Thank you NFL and the Players. Good Luck!
Posted at 8:09AM on Aug 17th 2007 by Paul
18. In my job, I can be fired for speaking out about the company I work for, even just on job complaining.
I have no sympathy for the criminals of society hiding in the NFL, NBA, or baseball.
These players are so used to getting away with anything and making millions while doing it.
There are a lot of talented athletes that could take their place. Don't just suspend, FIRE.
Posted at 8:20AM on Aug 17th 2007 by Jacob Gilbert
19. Every NFL player signs a contract with a "morals" clause and a clause for conduct detrimental to the game. Any actions taken by the players that potentially hurts the image of the game runs the risk of taking dollars out of the owners' pockets. And make no mistake, these guys are in it for the money! And in today's world, it's impossible for a pro athlete to do anything (bad) and not have the media know. So when these guys sign up, they do so knowing they're going to live in a fishbowl. If, for the millions they earn, they can't handle their personal lives in a manner consistent with the contract they signed, they shouldn't sign.
But Cox and Thurman have a simple labor-management issue. If alcoholism is a disease recognized by the Federal Govt., it's covered in the collective bargaining agreement, even if the union might have bargained it away for some other concession by the league. They ought to win, though their first concern should be getting their lives together before they get behind the wheel and kill someone.
Posted at 8:21AM on Aug 17th 2007 by The Conservative Brother
20. All athletes No tolerance, they get paid too much money.
Posted at 8:22AM on Aug 17th 2007 by Andrea Cohen