Thoughts on Leigh Bodden
By Pat McManamonOK, I've pondered this Leigh Bodden "incident" for two days, and I've come to the conclusion that it's all Shakespearean: much ado about nothing.
I mean … calling it an incident even seems a stretch.
First, let me say that it would have been better had Bodden merely parked his car and walked into the airport like the rest of us schmucks do. Park, walk, meet his girlfriend and children as they exited the gate area, help them to the curb, go get the car (perhaps take one child with him) and come back and pick everyone up. Had he done that, this "incident" would not have happened. I mean, it's not complex; we've all been to the airport a bunch of times without being arrested.
He didn't. And something happened. But it's not worthy of the feeding frenzy that followed.
It's amazing, really. if you asked me to list five players on the Browns who would not get in trouble, Bodden would be on the list.
But it's a misdemeanor, nothing more. It's not a felony. No dog fighting. No substance abuse. It's a small incident in an area of the airport where police take little guff. We've all had the experience of the police at the pick-up area telling us to move on. They are very direct, and you better listen. Apparently Bodden didn't. But again, it's a misdemeanor.
To have the guy sit in jail for three hours and not even be able to help (or see) his kids in that time seems pretty harsh for the charges.
But there is no need, in my humble opinion, for the feeding frenzy that has followed. The crowd around him Thursday at his locker makes it seem as if he tried to break into the White House. The fact that Bodden said he's got to let his attorney handle things might say as much about the situation as any. An attorney, for an argument about a foolish mistake made while driving.
This is not to say the pollice were wrong. They have a job to do and in this new era of color-coded security alerts they have good reason to make sure no car is left untended at the pickup area.
But again … it's a misdemeanor … a mistake …
Yes, there is a new disciplinary policy in the NFL. But as I understand it it is targeted to repeat offenders who commit serious transgressions, not previously good guys who are charged with misdemeanors.
Bodden made a mistake. Knowing him, I believe he'll stand up and admit that.
But he didn't do anything so serious as to warrant the frenzy that has followed. He will not be suspended by the team, and he will start Sunday against Pittsburgh.
This seems to be the right approach.
Anything more harsh would have been punishment not fitting the crime.
September 7th, 2007 at 7:42 pm
I'll bet Bodden gets a one game suspension just to keep the new N.F.L. image intact. The No Fun League now also means No Foolishness League. That may not be a bad thing.
M.D.Brugler
Bellefontaine,Ohio
September 8th, 2007 at 12:05 am
"Knowing him, I believe he'll stand up and admit that."
Odd, but that's pretty much the exact same thing you said when Ryan Tucker was busy turning his own ass into a pin cushion. Then said he did it because antidepressants were turning his testosterone count into the range of a little boy. Uhhh … O.K. Not quite the dog ate my homework, but if Pat says he believes him, then what the hell, I believe him, too.
Face it, Pat, you don't "know" these guys. I remember when Bill Livingston's hero, Julius Erving, a guy that he covered for years while on the 76ers beat, was caught being The Doctor. Of Love. This after reading numerous Livingston's PD columns saying how great of a human being he was. Not just the player, but the man. Then Livingston broke down and had to write a column saying the same thing you're saying. He thought he knew Julius Erving. Well, it turned out he didn't know him. Not by a longshot.
So please, Pat, for the love of God, can you stop giving all these guys your easy benefit of the doubt? You're basing your assumptions and conclusions upon illusions you've created in your own head. Contrary to what you may believe, you don't know them.
September 8th, 2007 at 1:42 am
Bodden does not deserve a suspension. A fine will do. Weather he is a great guy or not he has not been a problem child. When introduced, the NFL did seem to apply its policy to repeat offenders. If he gets suspended he should and probably would file his paper work and get it reduced to a fine anyway. Pat I don't hate you for loving Bodden. I hate you for having my dream job.
September 9th, 2007 at 8:25 am
Fire Crennel.
September 9th, 2007 at 10:16 am
I know as sports fans, we automatically discount anything our players do. Its human nature. But lets be honest - Bodden didn't get arrested for a traffic offense. He got arrested for becoming "'extremely verbally abusive," and resisting arrest. Telling off the police after he (Bodden) was the one who screwed up - and then resisting arrest - those two things are why he should be suspended.
Commissioner Goodell has made player conduct an important issue, and I think that cooperating with the police is well within the bounds of this issue. And Bodden failed in this aspect, and deserves a 1 game suspension as a result.
September 9th, 2007 at 4:14 pm
Who among us has not been frustrated with the traffic cops at Hopkins Airport? Circle, circle, circle, circle…it's worse than NASCAR. This is a non-issue for the league, but certainly should be an issue the airport addresses…so those picking up arrivals are not so inconveniently and often-rudely dealt with.
September 9th, 2007 at 6:47 pm
Yeah, JimBob, but few folks react in such a way that they deserve to be Maced. "Frustrated?" Seems to me this dude was a little more than just "frustrated."
McManamon's post is beyond silly with respect to if it's a misdemeanor or a felony. What's the difference? Petty theft, for one, is a misdemeanor. So are you telling me that if Bodden ripped off a guy's $400 car stereo instead of scuffling with some cops, it should still be business as usual? Yeah, give the guy a $50 NFL fine. That'll teach him not to humiliate the league.
September 9th, 2007 at 9:32 pm
Smoking grass or being high on heroin are probably misdemeanors too.