Detroit Lions safety Kalvin Pearson is charged with what may be the most sickening crime related to an NFL player since Rae Carruth, and the Lions' response is a fascinating case study in the way that NFL teams deal with players who get into off-field trouble.Pearson was charged with aggravated battery on a pregnant woman and domestic battery by strangulation after a woman who says she is pregnant with Pearson's child called police and said he grabbed her hair and neck and choked her, "making it difficult for her to breathe." Police identified and took photos of "red marks and bruising all around her neck."
Here is the Lions' response:
"We'll get as much information as we can right now," Lions president Matt Millen said after the NFL draft Sunday. "We'll get all the information, and then we'll deal with it after we find out all the facts."Other NFL teams have acted swiftly when players have been charged with less serious crimes by simply cutting the player, saying they won't allow one player to tarnish the organization. The Lions, however, won't do that, because they're already on the record as saying they signed him because of his great character. And if there's one thing we know about the Detroit Lions as an organization, it's that they don't admit their mistakes.
So the Lions won't follow the lead of the Steelers with Cedrick Wilson; they'll follow the lead of the Steelers with James Harrison. They'll "gather information" designed to justify keeping Pearson on their roster.
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Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 4)
1. Do you know anything at all about the prosecution's case in this matter? Without that information, on what basis do you claim the Lions should fire Kalvin Pearson before a trial?
what's the rush to fire him?
This incident occurred less than a week ago, in the off-season, *AND* news of it came just before the NFL draft; a period where a team's management is working massive overtime. Give them a break.
If the prosecution case is strong enough and the Lions don't act, then Mr. Smith you would have a fair point. until then, you don't.
Posted at 7:34PM on Apr 29th 2008 by Riley
2. the man is innocent until proven guilty. At least in America. Now on the other hand, here in Deeeetroit, he might be Mayor, Hell, he might get to drive around nude to a Wendy's or two. Maybe pull a gun on stripper at a club. It's the Lions man. If they won't fire Millen for killing tens of thousands of dreams, they won't fire this guy either.
Posted at 8:29PM on Apr 29th 2008 by Steve
3. Paris Hilton NAKED again:
http://celebritiesvidz.com/videos.php?v=Paris_Hilton
Posted at 6:14AM on May 1st 2008 by Phil
4. What's wrong with them waiting to get all the facts before they punish him? Isn't that the American way...innocent until proven guilty?? Or should we persecute people first just because someone said they did something. For all we know, this could be another Randy Moss type situation with the woman hurting herself and trying to get all his loot.
Posted at 6:52AM on May 1st 2008 by DQ
5. Another "Roid Rage"? Professional football players and baseball players are a bunch of bums- and I don't mean the Brooklyn Dodgers. My family and I use to be avid Baseball fans with a hugh collection of babseball cards and memorabilia- no more. I don't even watch a game on TV. As far as I'm concerned they are worth watching or supporting
Posted at 6:53AM on May 1st 2008 by Chris
6. This is rubbish. The writer thinks because someone is charged with a crime his life/career should be ruined. Convicted is another story, but just charged? Next time I don't like the First place team in the NFL I'll go accuse their QB of rape.
Posted at 7:03AM on May 1st 2008 by Shawn
7. Due process should occur but given the volatility of the "issue" this wouldn't surprise me of course.
Eager women wanting & willing to jump into bed for the dubious distinction of bearing a child for unwritten future support clause vs. self righteous, self absorbed ego maniacs willing to take the prize but not the consequences upsetting his style & game.
Until other forms of legislation are passed protecting individuals in simpler fashion this is the "knee jerk" reaction that will always claim victim status whether warranted or not.
Gender & racial tensions in this country are far worse than they were 50 yrs ago we're just more polite in public now.... I think it's called tolerance......
Posted at 8:06AM on May 1st 2008 by Bobby
8. Good for Pearson. Hes one man who won't put up with bull from a broad.
If this bimbo is going to have his baby want to bet shes going to take him to the cleaners for all the $$$$$ she can get.
Posted at 8:09AM on May 1st 2008 by John Casy
9. Good for Pearson. Hes one man who won't put up with bull from a broad.
If this bimbo is going to have his baby want to bet shes going to take him to the cleaners for all the $$$$$ she can get.
Posted at 8:09AM on May 1st 2008 by John Casy
10. Good for Pearson. Hes one man who won't put up with bull from a broad.
If this bimbo is going to have his baby want to bet shes going to take him to the cleaners for all the $$$$$ she can get.
Posted at 8:10AM on May 1st 2008 by John Casy
11. i suppose that as long as you are in the nfl, it is ok to beat n abuse women n dogs,
sports are no longer any fun, and i am no longer a fan.
Posted at 8:14AM on May 1st 2008 by tuttlekenai
12. Isn't love grand
Posted at 8:30AM on May 1st 2008 by Stephen R. Hawkins
13. Pearson comes from a long line of ignorant blacks that love to beat a woman ,say the kid's not his ,won't pay for the child,likes 16 yr old groupies,only loves the NFL pay check, been told by all his crew that he's above the law and has zero
personality & skills outside of a football stadium . NEXT...... ?
Posted at 8:30AM on May 1st 2008 by Joe Willie
14. Urging the Lions to remove a player based on what is, for the moment,only an allegation is a rush to justice on the order of the Duke fiasco. How big would your hurry be if the accussed were a sports writer?
Posted at 8:41AM on May 1st 2008 by terry kern
15. What's wrong with Matt Millans response? He is correct. The Lions should gather all the facts before making a decision. Since when is an accuisation and conviction in this country?
Posted at 8:58AM on May 1st 2008 by Mark Elliott
16. I'm not so sure I want to judge him at all, and certainly not so quickly. In my mind, if an NFL player choked a woman, he would probably leave behind a lot more than red marks. I'll have to see how this works out.
Posted at 8:59AM on May 1st 2008 by mike smith
17. This is ridiculous. Men are for the most part, much stronger than women. For this huge football player to put his hands on this pregnant woman is criminal. The NFL should fire him and he should go to jail for attempted murder to the woman and the unborn child. He is scum and I don't want to see him rewarded by being able to keep his multi-million dollar NFL contract. Scum.
Posted at 9:07AM on May 1st 2008 by Michelle
18. It just goes to show that you can take the boy out of the gutter but you cant take the gutter out of the boy
Posted at 9:14AM on May 1st 2008 by xsfforce
19. do any of you guys on here have an iq or are you just acting stupid? Assault is illegal..there is no reason for ever hitting, hurting, harming another human being..no one deserves to be hurt, harmed, murdered, assaulted..ever
Posted at 9:15AM on May 1st 2008 by jcbrod1
20. Well, at least he didn't kill her like Bobby Cutts killed his pregnant wife.
He's a black NFL football player. No other explanation necessary.
Posted at 9:22AM on May 1st 2008 by DavesRaves