Why Is This So Common Among NFL Players Now?
 

[url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3394719]ESPN - Seahawks linebacker Tatupu arrested for drunken driving - NFL[/url]

Re: Why Is This So Common Among NFL Players Now?
 

Because it's common in society?

Re: Why Is This So Common Among NFL Players Now?
 

Now I'm all for fun and party and things no problem right but if you know Goodell has a no tolerance law in effect to with players & coaches. Why put put yourself in this situation? you have all that money can't you hired a driver or friend to take you where ever to from?

Re: Why Is This So Common Among NFL Players Now?
 

[QUOTE=Mattyk72;448198]Because it's common in society?[/QUOTE]

True but isn't Goodell's reasoning for his heavy hand so to speak is to change the NFL image and take players out of the negative spotlight?

Re: Why Is This So Common Among NFL Players Now?
 

call a cab..

Re: Why Is This So Common Among NFL Players Now?
 

[quote=DiehardSkin88;448203]call a cab..[/quote]

It's really doesn't get more simpler than that. A cab is not that expensive...

Re: Why Is This So Common Among NFL Players Now?
 

[quote=RobH4413;448204]It's really doesn't get more simpler than that. A cab is not that expensive...[/quote]


I usually charge my buddies. I tell them if you want a ride call me I will come get you if you are too drunk and I charge them and my GF or brother will drive their car to their dorm or apartment.

Re: Why Is This So Common Among NFL Players Now?
 

[quote=RobH4413;448204]It's really doesn't get more simpler than that. [B]A cab is not that expensive[/B]...[/quote]

Especially with NFL players' current salary.. :doh:

Re: Why Is This So Common Among NFL Players Now?
 

[QUOTE=Mattyk72;448198]Because it's common in society?[/QUOTE]

Precisely. There are close to 2,000 players in the NFL at any given time. If you took a random sample of 2,000 males between the ages of 21 and 35, I think you'd find that a decent percentage of them have had run-ins with the law. I'd venture to guess that 10% of this site's members have had DWIs/OWIs/DUIs. I seem to recall reading a summary of a study which came the same conclusion (sorry, no link).

Re: Why Is This So Common Among NFL Players Now?
 

[QUOTE=Sheriff Gonna Getcha;448212]Precisely. There are close to 2,000 players in the NFL at any given time. If you took a random sample of 2,000 males between the ages of 21 and 35, I think you'd find that a decent percentage of them have had run-ins with the law. I'd venture to guess that 10% of this site's members have had DWIs/OWIs/DUIs. I seem to recall reading a summary of a study which came the same conclusion (sorry, no link).[/QUOTE]

SGG & Matty I respect your opinion & stats I really do and it is common in society, but as a NFL franchise player why risk a suspension or fine from the league now especially during the times where you have the Chris Henry, Pacman, Mike Vick soap operas going on when you could have just called a cab or a friend? Those three names alone give the NFL a bad image plus they are all pro bowl caliber players at there positions so is Lofa!!! It's common in society doesn't cut it to me!!!

Re: Why Is This So Common Among NFL Players Now?
 

[QUOTE=Mattyk72;448198]Because it's common in society?[/QUOTE]

I think that hits the nail on the head right there.

Re: Why Is This So Common Among NFL Players Now?
 

Once again, I have my doubts that his is a new trend, but we hear about it more now because of the internet. Similarly, the police probably don't let players get away with this sort of thing as much as they used to.

Re: Why Is This So Common Among NFL Players Now?
 

[QUOTE=Mattyk72;448198]Because it's common in society?[/QUOTE]

Exactly. Add in the simple fact that a typical NFL star is driving something very flashy and a little swerving and excessive speed tend to catch the passing eye of the law dogs.

Re: Why Is This So Common Among NFL Players Now?
 

Not only is it common in society but a lot of professional athletes get this idea that they are invincible. Either that or they think because they are pro athletes they are somehow above the law. Neither is true but they keep on thinking it.

Re: Why Is This So Common Among NFL Players Now?
 

Because they get paid too damn much for being just out of school and don't respect what they have. It's the American way.... :(

Re: Why Is This So Common Among NFL Players Now?
 

This should just be about Tatupu, not a larger indictment of NFL players. That's unfair to all the players that have never run amok of the law.

Re: Why Is This So Common Among NFL Players Now?
 

[quote=SmootSmack;448248]This should just be about Tatupu, not a larger indictment of NFL players. That's unfair to all the players that have never run amok of the law.[/quote]

Agreed.. but maybe we need to think about charcter more, as well as talent when we draft!

Re: Why Is This So Common Among NFL Players Now?
 

When I think about how many people I know who have driven home when they shouldn't have at least a few times I would say it's close to 100 percent of my friends. Especially when we were all in our early twenties.

That's not saying it's OK, but I'm not going to sit here and act all high and mighty when I have committed that same crime in my younger days, when I too thought myself to be invincible.

Tatupu is displaying the appropriate level of contrition and I'm sure he will learn from this and bounce back.

Re: Why Is This So Common Among NFL Players Now?
 

[quote=djnemo65;448251]When I think about how many people I know who have driven home when they shouldn't have at least a few times I would say it's close to 100 percent of my friends. Especially when we were all in our early twenties.

That's not saying it's OK, but I'm not going to sit here and act all high and mighty when I have committed that same crime in my younger days, when I too thought myself to be invincible.

Tatupu is displaying the appropriate level of contrition and I'm sure he will learn from this and bounce back.[/quote]

Excellent point. I'm going to go drink some wine and not drive now.. :)

Re: Why Is This So Common Among NFL Players Now?
 

[quote=SmootSmack;448248]This should just be about Tatupu, not a larger indictment of NFL players. That's unfair to all the players that have never run amok of the law.[/quote]
Well, the question was about the league as a whole.

That said, I don't think it's more prevalent than in the rest of society. I think DUIs fill up a good part of the docket in most courts.

Re: Why Is This So Common Among NFL Players Now?
 

[QUOTE=hesscl34;448250]Agreed.. but maybe we need to think about charcter more, as well as talent when we draft![/QUOTE]

NFL teams are definitely giving "character" a lot more weight in their player evaluations. This seems to be an isolated incident for Tatupu though

Re: Why Is This So Common Among NFL Players Now?
 

As for Tatupu specifically, check out this calculator:
[url=http://www.intox.com/wheel/drinkwheel.asp]Intoximeters Drink Wheel / Drink Calculator for Breath Alcohol Testing / Breathalyser / Breathalysers / Screener / DUI / DWI / Ask DOTti[/url]

According to that, at 242 lbs, he would have to drink 12 beers in 2 hours to blow .15. However, this was at least 1.5 hours after he stopped drinking, so it was probably more than that. Any non-idiot should know that you can't drink half a case and then hop in the car.

Re: Why Is This So Common Among NFL Players Now?
 

[quote=SmootSmack;448258]NFL teams are definitely giving "character" a lot more weight in their player evaluations. This seems to be an isolated incident for Tatupu though[/quote]

Except for Dallas... :lol:

Re: Why Is This So Common Among NFL Players Now?
 

I love the NFL. IMO, there is no better sport. I would love to be able to say its the best organization harboring the best sport on the planet... but this just keeps happening. Baseball's got its steroids, Basketball's got its high school dropouts and crybabies, and hockey, well, no one watches hockey. The NFL is getting the image that its full of thugs, and drunk drivers. Tatupu may have been an isolated incident, but so was Benson, Tank Johnson, D. Rhodes, Chris Henry......... you all get the picture! Come on guys, you are making the whole organization a laughing stock!

Re: Why Is This So Common Among NFL Players Now?
 

Also, the word "now" seems out of place in the title. I mean I don't believe it's common, but players getting arrested for drunk driving or worse has been going on for decades

Re: Why Is This So Common Among NFL Players Now?
 

zzzzzz...

Matty had it right. Show me some evidence that the NFL players are any different than the general population in terms of incidence rates for things like drunk driving.

Doesn't excuse it, and it's crappy behavior for sure. But to say the NFL has an image problem is to say that our society as a whole has an image problem. They're no different than the rest of us.

Re: Why Is This So Common Among NFL Players Now?
 

What a dumb ass!

Re: Why Is This So Common Among NFL Players Now?
 

According to the states, DUI rates are around 15% nationwide. That would put it at 300 for the NFL to meet the average.
[url=http://www.oas.samhsa.gov/dwi.htm]DWI/DUI: Driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs, SAMHSA's Office of Applied Studies website[/url]

Re: Why Is This So Common Among NFL Players Now?
 

at my workplace (which is very strict on dui's) its close to a 0.5% dui rate...

Re: Why Is This So Common Among NFL Players Now?
 

[quote=ArtMonkDrillz;448234]Once again, I have my doubts that his is a new trend, but we hear about it more now because of the internet. Similarly, [B]the police probably don't let players get away with this sort of[/B] [B]thing as much as they used to[/B].[/quote]
i agree. now, if they do, and are caught, they usually face some kind of punishment. even lose their jobs. i cant understand why, most of these athletes have some sort of " posse", they do not use a designated driver. pure stupidity

Re: Why Is This So Common Among NFL Players Now?
 

I'm very conscientious about drinking & driving, but I haven't always been. I took my chances in my 20s simply because I was out somewhere, drank more than I intended to while having a good time, and then all of a sudden it's closing time & you have to drive home. I can't blame Tatupu any more than so many other young people. I'm not saying he doesn't know better, but age & lifestyle make him no different from anyone else.

Yes, he could arrange drivers, cabs, etc. In the future I'll bet he plans a night out better.

On a side note, the real problem is that in the U.S. everybody wants to drive themselves, suburban development has made driving a necessity, and there are only a small no. of places left where one can live well w/out a car. Lots of other countries drink as much as we do but don't have the same drunk driving problems simply because people aren't driving.

Re: Why Is This So Common Among NFL Players Now?
 

I'd be willing to bet a good number of us have driven after having a few drinks.

Re: Why Is This So Common Among NFL Players Now?
 

[QUOTE=Mattyk72;448323]I'd be willing to bet a good number of us have driven after having a few drinks.[/QUOTE]


I'd be willing to bet you're correct. In most cases, people who take the chance driving under the influence never believe they'll be stopped. The affect of alcoholic beverages can cloud judgement, and render good decision making a problem.

Bottom line though, they just don't think they'll be caught.

Re: Why Is This So Common Among NFL Players Now?
 

[quote=Mattyk72;448198]Because it's common in society?[/quote]

Correct. Plus, because it ALWAYS makes the news when a pro athlete does it.

If you had reports from your local news [U]every[/U] time anyone in your town drove drunk, you'd ask the same question about your town as you just did about NFL players.

Re: Why Is This So Common Among NFL Players Now?
 

[quote=RobH4413;448204]It's really doesn't get more simpler than that. A cab is not that expensive...[/quote]


True..so true. I know for a fact, that's I've been way to drunk to drive several times, and I did it anyway. Short story why I quit doing it.

A couple of years ago, I was stationed in MCAS Cherry Point, NC. There's nothing in the town, just a small decalate place. About 20 miles East was the nearest Wal-Mart. A Marine E-6 was driving to wash his truck about 1:45 pm, and struck an individual riding a bike(in a bike lane) who was traveling the opposite way the Marine was. The E-6 was drunk, and blew a .18 on the BAC machine.
The person that was hit and killed just happened to be another Marine who had graduated boot camp 15 days prior. He was given a ride to Wal-Mart to buy a bicycle, and chose to ride home for the exersice.

Re: Why Is This So Common Among NFL Players Now?
 

Fine them 500k for the offense. I know that sounds extreme but that will stop a few.

Re: Why Is This So Common Among NFL Players Now?
 

[QUOTE=Sheriff Gonna Getcha;448212]Precisely. There are close to 2,000 players in the NFL at any given time. If you took a random sample of 2,000 males between the ages of 21 and 35, I think you'd find that a decent percentage of them have had run-ins with the law. I'd venture to guess that 10% of this site's members have had DWIs/OWIs/DUIs. I seem to recall reading a summary of a study which came the same conclusion (sorry, no link).[/QUOTE]

I got a DUI ridding in the passenger seat of my own car.

Re: Why Is This So Common Among NFL Players Now?
 

[QUOTE=WaldSkins;448881]I got a DUI ridding in the passenger seat of my own car.[/QUOTE]

How?!? but that sucks big time. I was talking to a guy in a madd class I had to attend that got his 2nd dui riding his bicycle. I got one a year ago, so far it has cost me between $5,000 and $6,000. Costly mistake to say the least, I have definitely learned my lesson after hundreds of times I probably shouldn't have driven. I guess the law of averages caught up with me finally. Now I am on a first name basis with a local cabbie.

Re: Why Is This So Common Among NFL Players Now?
 

[QUOTE=killromo;448921]How?!? but that sucks big time. I was talking to a guy in a madd class I had to attend that got his 2nd dui riding his bicycle. I got one a year ago, so far it has cost me between $5,000 and $6,000. Costly mistake to say the least, I have definitely learned my lesson after hundreds of times I probably shouldn't have driven. I guess the law of averages caught up with me finally. Now I am on a first name basis with a local cabbie.[/QUOTE]

Because me and my buddy were out at the bar and he said he was ok to drive so i let him and its because i was in the car and we were both legally drunk.

DUI's are just a huge money maker for the police. I was wrong but some of the ways people get dui's now is kinda ridiculous.

Re: Why Is This So Common Among NFL Players Now?
 

[quote=WaldSkins;448933]Because me and my buddy were out at the bar and he said he was ok to drive so i let him and its because i was in the car and we were both legally drunk.

[B]DUI's are just a huge money maker for the police.[/B] I was wrong but some of the ways people get dui's now is kinda ridiculous.[/quote]
That's a completely foolish and ignorant statement. Contrary to popular belief, court fees associated with traffic violations do not directly benefit law enforcement. They benefit the state. Most law enforcement officers are employed by city or county agencies and get no funding from the state other than grant money for equipment upgrades and child centered programs. The only time these agencies see a portion of court fees refunded to them is for the service of warrants or orders for arrest.

Trust me when I say this. The last thing an officer is thinking when he pulls someone over is that he's trying to meet a quota or this is his opportunity to generate money. His main concerns are trying to stay alive and keeping the public safe.