New York Jets: Where is Sheldon Richardson’s Suspension?

While he’s already suspended four games following a PED violation, New York Jets defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson seems to be running free from his encounter with the law. It seems like forever ago when we learned the 24-year old was pulled over following a 143-mph police chase, which included marijuana, a loaded semi-automatic weapon, and (worst of all) a 12-year old CHILD in the fleeing vehicle.

Richardson is of course innocent until proven guilty; but being clocked at 143-mph ahead of a pursuing police cruiser with the smell of marijuana and a minor being involved is a hard thing to weasel out of. The pending resisting arrest and drag racing charges is probably the more interesting charges being handed to Richardson, who is scheduled for arraignment in less than two weeks on August 31st.

"Resisting Arrest is a class A misdemeanor, and is punishable upon conviction by up to 1 year in jail, and / or a fine of up to $1,000.00. Richardson is presumed innocent until he is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt."

This isn’t even Richardson’s first rodeo. He was suspended in college for unknown reasons back in 2012, just two weeks before declaring for the draft. Its clear why Richardson had the second lowest Wonderlic test (NFL’s IQ) in his draft class with a measly nine. Just for reference, Ryan Nassib scored a 41 while most sat in the low 20’s.

Meanwhile, an embattled Commissioner is fighting for his legacy in a New York courtroom over an issue that doesn’t exist. The fact that the entire NFL office has shutdown over this absurd “scandal” is the most outrageous, embarrassingly trivial matter it has ever encountered. Publicly shunning the greatest quarterback in the history of the league, Goodell has his priorities upside down and backwards.

Its been six weeks since Sheldon Richardson was pulled over for resisting arrest during a drag race. Where ARE the commissioners priorities at this point? Its time for some accountability, not just from NFL players, but for the pompous, overreaching head of the National Football League. We need to welcome these people back into the real world.

If Roger Goodell is putting deflated footballs above the reckless endangerment of a minor, the league should have his head.

Also, compare it to Robert Mathis’s suspension for four games after he took a fertility drug in order to have a child with his wife. These unclear, unprecedented rules being imagined up by the Commissioner is just another sign of his lack of leadership at the head of the words more profitable sports empires.

Now, giving Goodell the benefit of the doubt, lets say he’s waiting till Richardson’s four game PED suspension runs out before announcing any further punishment. That puts both Richardson and the New York Jets in an even worse situation. Not knowing if you’re going to have one of your best defensive players for the majority of a season is just another ride in the circus that is the New York Jets.

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