Evening star., 1963-02-08
SKGH AT LARGE
It's High Time
For NFL to Act
BY MORRIS sIEeEL

MORE THAN A MONTH has passed since the air was
foued with charges, insnuations, reports
assorted implications that number Of players the NFL
were guilty Of conduct unbecoming membership In the
brotherhood Of professional football players.
One player admitted he made bets games, another
took lie detector test Several others, in addition to
those whose names already have appeared presumably
being checked by the NFL.
The Senate Rackets Committee also is in the act now
All told 1t seems everybody who has watched Perry Mason
or read Sherlock Holmes investigating one phase or
another. R rs AZ
While the bloodhounds among the several investga-
tory bodies sniff along their various trails several hundred
athletes await the verdict Who the guilty among
the 504 players the payros of the IA teams2 They
have right to know. SO does the public.
hsaH
EVEN ALEX KARRAs, the Detroit tackle who ad-
mitted he bet the games involving his team is
tiring Of the whole affair If guilty he he wants to
be punished. II innocent, he wants to know
Il wish he'd fine me something or whatever he's
going to do and get 1t with" Karras said in Detroit
"Its tough to wait"
The he" Karras refers to s of course Pete Rozelle
the commissioner Of the NFL He is the sole Judge and
jury Rozele has said nothing except that the NFL is
continuing its investigation the league has found
nothing OF a criminal nature.
There the matter hangs, unfortunately.
hsSS
NOBODY EXCEPT THE press is pressuring US for
action" NFL spokesman New York said yesterday.
"The investigation is proceeding"
Nobody not even the press is pressuring Rozee TO
make judgment just to break the monotony of the
bulletins But action based positive find
ngs and not expedency, needed The press and
the public both have right to demand 1t. The NFL
certainly has had enough time to do something The de-
laying tactics do nothing but add to the suspicious.
What would have happened, for example, If the COM
missioner knew before the Pittsburgh Detroit Runnerup
Bowl game that Karras had wagered games, even II
the wagers were only "a pack Of cigarettes?"
Presumably he would have been suspended and barred
from playing in the game. If Karras guilty then
he's just guilty The time element should have no
consideration in the deliberations.
THE COMMISSIONER" the NFL spokesman said in
his best Madison approach, "is trying stand
ardize the penalties II there be any In courts
most offenses have set punshments, like much
tence for this and so much fine for that"
The NFL also asks for patience, pleading 1t is trying
to corroborae the rumors charges and allegations Of
betting Corroborate with whom? Are they enough
to believe bookmakers going to tell them this player
or that owner bet with them?
1t is not the NILS responsibility to police anybody
except its people There ample law enforcement
agencies to deal with wrongdoers If the NFL probes
should find evil in outside its backyard the
information should be turned the proper cops for
their action, not the NILS.
1t Is important that Rozelle declare Immediately what
his investigation has shown Do the charges and alega
tons have merit? If he delays any longer the people will
make their determinations and right wrong these
will be the judgments the league will have to live by.