National Football League player conduct controversy On April 10 , 2007 , the National Football League introduced a new conduct policy to help control off - field behavior by its players and preserve the league ' s public image . The policy , introduced by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell , implements a tougher , new personal - conduct policy , and under conditions of the previous policy handed down two of the harshest suspensions in NFL history for off - field misdeeds . Each player that has been suspended must reapply for reinstatement . The policy only applies to the player ' s personal lives and image in the public spotlight . The NFL conducts separate investigations for drug and alcohol abuse and performance enhancement . As of April 2010 , five players have been suspended for an extended period by the NFL due to conduct off the field . History . On September 1 , 2006 , just days prior to the start of the 2006 NFL season , Roger Goodell assumed the office of Commissioner of the National Football League . Goodell was met with expectations of enforcing the National Football League ' s image to the media . In the months leading up to Goodell ' s ascension , nine players from the Cincinnati Bengals had been arrested . Goodell and the National Football League Players Association decided that teams will be responsible for the conduct of their employees , and will be subject to discipline for any transgressions . Goodell had consulted with Gene Upshaw , former executive director of the NFLPA , and also created a six - man player advisory committee to discuss conduct , discipline and other topics . The first ( players ) to feel the teeth of the new policy were Tennessee Titans cornerback Adam " Pacman " Jones and Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chris Henry , college teammates at West Virginia whose first two years in the NFL were marred by arrests . The third player suspended was Chicago Bears defensive tackle Tank Johnson . On August 24 , 2007 , Atlanta Falcons starting quarterback Michael Vick filed a plea agreement and pleaded guilty in his involvement in illegal dog fighting and euthanization , and was suspended indefinitely without pay ; his reinstatement occurred in time for him to play in the 2009 - 2010 season . Adam " Pacman " Jones . Tennessee Titans cornerback Adam " Pacman " Jones , facing felony charges in two states , was suspended for the entire 2007 season and given specific conditions to meet before he is reinstated , and he can be reinstated after the Titans ' eleventh game . There were 10 occasions in which Jones was interviewed by police , the most recent during the NBA All - Star weekend in Las Vegas . Police there recommended felony and misdemeanor charges against Jones after a fight and shooting at , what Jones refers to as a " strip club " , left one man paralyzed . Jones later appealed his suspension , saying he was " just being rebellious " , but withdrew the request just weeks later . On June 20 , 2007 , the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and Clark County District Attorney ' s office announced that Jones will face two felony charges stemming from the strip club melee that occurred on February 19 , 2007 . While the charges have since been dropped , Jones still faces civil actions , and his reinstatement was not to be considered until after the 2008 Pro Bowl . On June 2 , 2008 , NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell cleared Jones to participate in preseason workouts for the Dallas Cowboys , who had traded for him during his suspension , and also said that a decision on Jones ' reinstatement for the regular season would be made by September 1 , six days before the Cowboys ' first 2008 regular - season game . The league announced at that time that Jones ' full reinstatement would depend on " demonstrating that he can conduct himself in a lawful and reliable manner . " On August 26 Jones found himself fully reinstated , only to be suspended indefinitely on October 14 after an altercation with his bodyguard in a Dallas hotel . Chris Henry . Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chris Henry , arrested five times in three states between December 2005 and April 2008 , was suspended for the first eight games of the 2007 season . He also had to comply with several conditions before returning . Henry was arrested four times in a 14 - month span , and received a two - game league suspension last year . He was one of nine Bengals arrested in nine months . Henry was required to not get into further trouble with the law and had to cooperate fully with required counseling , education and treatment assigned to him under league programs . Henry returned for the second half of the 2007 season but played a minor role on a 8 – 8 Bengals team . In April 2008 , the Bengals released Henry after he was charged with misdemeanor and criminal damaging . He was accused of punching an 18 - year - old male in the face and breaking a window in the individual ' s car . A warrant for Henry ' s arrest was issued and he surrendered the following day , a police spokesman said . In August 2008 , the Bengals re - signed Henry . On December 17 , 2009 , Henry died from injuries sustained from an accident stemming from a domestic dispute between him and his fiancee . Tank Johnson . On April 30 , Terry " Tank " Johnson pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor weapons charge as part of an arrangement with prosecutors that will keep him from serving additional jail time . He was sentenced to 45 days in jail , which was served concurrently with a four - month sentence he was already serving in the Cook County Jail for violating his probation ; to donate $ 2 , 500 to the Gurnee , Illinois Police Department and $ 2 , 500 to the Gurnee Exchange Club ' s child abuse prevention program . Johnson ' s release from jail on May 13 ended his legal problems from the December 2006 weapons incident . The league ultimately suspended Johnson for half of the regular season on June 4 . However , he will have the opportunity to reduce the sentence to six games if he complies with Commissioner Goodell ' s guidelines of behavior , which include going to counseling . On June 22 , Johnson was pulled over speeding in Arizona . According to the police , he was stopped by the police after traveling at forty miles per hour in a twenty - five mile per hour zone . He was later suspected of drinking , but was released without being booked or charged . On June 25 , 2007 , Johnson was released from his contract by the Chicago Bears as a result of the June 22 incident . Bears General manager Jerry Angelo stated that he had " no room for error left . " The results of Johnson ' s blood tests were still pending when the Bears made their decision . On July 2 , it was announced that Johnson was under the legal limit and will not be charged with driving under the influence . On September 18 , 2007 , Johnson agreed to terms of a two - year contract with the Dallas Cowboys , but was unable to contact the team until week 9 of the 2007 NFL season . Michael Vick . Beginning on April 25 , a large house and surrounding property Michael Vick owned in rural Surry County , Virginia where his 26 - year old cousin Davon T . Boddie had been residing became part of a continuing police investigation for possible operation of an illegal dog fighting ring . The action came after police executed a search warrant following two narcotics arrests of Boddie within a week in the Virginia Peninsula cities of Newport News and Hampton ( each about away from the Surry County property ) earlier in April . Boddie had given the address of Vick ' s property in Surry County as his home address when arrested . Earlier , in February 2007 , Boddie was convicted in the City of Norfolk of disorderly conduct . At that time , he was carrying a Georgia driver ' s license giving his address as a house in Duluth , Georgia which was once owned by Vick . According to ESPN , during the April 25 narcotics - related search of Vick ' s home and property at 1915 Moonlight Drive in the southeastern portion of Surry County , police discovered a large number of animals , and evidence which they felt indicated dog fighting . They called animal - control officers , who saw what they said was evidence that dogfights had taken place there . Police obtained another search warrant , and , with the help of animal control officials from several localities , removed 66 dogs , 55 of them pit bull s , and seized equipment and some physical evidence that could be associated with dog fighting . WAVY - TV reported that detectives also seized guns , illegal ammunition magazines , suspected marijuana and paperwork on dog fighting . Vick , along with three others , was indicted by a federal grand jury on July 17 for " conspiracy to travel in interstate commerce in aid of unlawful activities and to sponsor a dog in animal fighting venture " . The 18 page federal indictment outlines an extensive operation which included not only unlawful fighting , but violence against dogs which did not perform well including executions by electrocution , hanging , and shooting , as well as involving tens of thousands of dollars in gambling activity . The four face $ 350 , 000 in fines and six years in prison if convicted of the federal charges . The operation was based at Vick ' s property near Smithfield , Virginia , valued at over $ 700 , 000 , which could conceivably be forfeited to the government , as the indictment also puts them on notice that the government intends to take possession of property used in the illegal operations and any proceeds . In late April , Vick denied his involvement and told " The Atlanta Journal - Constitution " " I ' m never at the house . . . I left the house with my family . . . They just haven ' t been doing the right thing . . . It ' s unfortunate I have to take the heat behind it . If I ' m not there , I don ' t know what ' s going on . " Vick appeared in court on July 26 and pleaded not guilty , the same date that the Atlanta Falcons began training camp . Later , Vick filed a plea agreement , and admitted his guilt . Vick was suspended without pay " indefinitely " by the National Football League on August 24 . On August 13 , 2009 , Vick signed a one year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles . He was placed on the exempt / commissioner ' s permission list on September 5 , 2009 . On September 15 , Vick was activated to the 53 - man roster . Ben Roethlisberger . On July 17 , 2009 , a civil suit was filed in Washoe County , Nevada District Court accusing Roethlisberger of sexually assaulting Andrea McNulty , 31 , in June 2008 in his hotel room while he was in Lake Tahoe for a celebrity golf tournament . No charges were filed in the case . On March 5 , 2010 , it was revealed that a woman from Milledgeville , Georgia had accused Roethlisberger of sexual assault . While Roethlisberger was once again not charged with a crime following the events at the nightclub , the league still suspended him for six games , which was later reduced to four . This is the only time in league history a player has been suspended under the personal conduct policy without being charged with a crime . Public response . Praise . The new policy has been praised by both NFL players and sports columnists as a necessity to help improve the National Football League ' s image . The new policy — which also applies to coaches and front office personnel and has the support of NFLPA director Gene Upshaw — prompted questions and strong reactions among players . Teammates of Chris Henry , including safety Madieu Williams , approved of the measure . Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Warren Sapp stated , " I understand what they ' re doing . Some of these new - jack kids act like they ' re walking on water . Sometimes , they need to be slapped in the face to wake up . " New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft said of the policy , " I hope this sends a message to people in our league for how to conduct themselves . We have to be careful . People in America can ' t relate to overindulged athletes not acting responsibly . " Criticism . Many considered the suspensions on Jones and Henry to be too harsh , especially Jones ' s , which was enforced despite Jones having not been convicted of any crime . Criticism was also drawn at the commissioner ' s ability to punish the rest of the player ' s team and revoke draft picks . Goodell ' s actions are also leaving the league vulnerable to legal action from player ' s lawyers . When New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and his staff were accused of illegally videotaping the New York Jets ' defensive playcalling signals in September 2007 , Belichick was not suspended , but instead fined $ 500 , 000 . The team was penalized a first round draft pick in 2008 as they qualified for the playoffs with a perfect 16 – 0 record , but would have been penalized with a second and third round pick had they failed to make the playoffs . ( The Patriots still ended up with the New Orleans Saints ' first - round pick in a trade , selecting Jerod Mayo with the pick . ) The move was heavily criticized as being a double standard . Although the videotaping is not considered to violate personal conduct rules , NFL players , including Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer were critical of Commissioner Goodell ' s move . When Goodell penalized Belichick , he determined that the use of the camera during the Patriots ’ season - opening 38 - 14 win over the New York Jets had no impact on the game .