Pros and Cons: The Criminals Who Play in the NFL - Hardcover

Benedict, Jeff; Yaeger, Don

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0446524034 ISBN 13: 9780446524032

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing, 1998

Synopsis

Discloses the names of the convicted criminals in the NFL, the stunning severity of their crimes, & why they're still playing.

About this title

Review:

Startling in its breadth, Benedict and Yaeger's investigation into the off-the-field violence and criminal behavior that pervades the culture of professional football is as eye opening as it is disturbing. That these guys get into trouble is nothing new, but when their offenses are collected in one place--with mug shots, court records, police reports, and interviews with arresting officers--the effect is as surreal as the statistics: 21 percent of the NFL's players have been charged with a serious crime.

How serious? The docket begins with assault, rape, and domestic violence and keeps spiraling out of control. These are not just blind allegations; the authors name names and match felonies to players. Some of the better-known examples: Cornelius Bennett--rape and sexual assault; Cortez Kennedy--domestic violence; Michael Irvin--cocaine and marijuana possession; Nate Newton--sexual assault; Warren Moon--domestic violence; Jake Plummer--sexual abuse; Andre Rison--aggravated assault; Bruce Smith--driving under the influence; and Deion Sanders--aggravated assault, disorderly convict, trespassing, and battery.

Yet, as disturbing as the names and numbers are, Benedict and Yaeger's contention, backed by exhaustive research, is even worse: the league pretty much looks away, tacitly condoning the havoc caused by these overpaid, coddled men-children, whose very propensity for unchecked mayhem fills stadiums on Sunday. But, then, in the NFL's view of things, football is the law. Make no mistake about Pros and Cons though; as sensational as much of it is, this is a serious work with serious footnotes compiled by serious journalists, who, in the end, do something the game's establishment has avoided: they offer a detailed "Game Plan" for addressing the issues they raise. It begins with respecting law and imposing order. --Jeff Silverman

About the Author:

Jeff Benedict is the author of Public Heroes, Private Felons: Athletes and Crimes Against Women. The former director of research at the Center for the Study of Sport in Society at Northeastern University, he has been published in the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, and Chronicle of Higher Education. He has made many national media appearances on ESPN and such programs as CBS's 48 Hours and NBC Nightly News.

Don Yaeger is a Sports Illustrated writer and associate editor. He is the author of seven books, including the New York Times bestselling Under the Tarnished Dome.

About this edition

• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
• Publication date: 1998
• ISBN 10: 0446524034
• ISBN 13: 9780446524032
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 336