Should Gurode press charges? - Cincinnati Sports Forums

V3n0M · #1 (**permalink**) 10-03-2006, 02:19 PM

I'm sure we've all seen the Haynesworth v. Gurode attack on the field.. Now Gurode is facing the question whether or not to seek legal damages. Should he? What would this mean for the NFL if he does? Can Trent Green seek damages against Geathers? Is it assault? Can (or should) these players face the same penalties for conduct on the field as a citizen on the street?

If I attack someone with cleats and make them get 30 stiches in their head, I'm sure I'd face some legal repercussions. What if I tackle someone on the street and give them a concussion, I'm sure the law would be involved there too... If one player can sue another player for injury, where would it stop?

I think I would say the NFL's fine is punishment enough, maybe sue for medical bills that aren't covered, and if I lost salary because I couldn't play in a game, but is that enough? I'm not the one with 30 stiches...

Should he press charges? What (if anything) would this mean for the future of the NFL?

Tedesco · #2 (**permalink**) 10-03-2006, 02:23 PM

Yes. The NFL is not it's own lawful governing body and is still subject to the law like everyone else. Why major sports seem to be immune to the law (with only the grevious cases being exempt) is beyond me.

osu99jp · #3 (**permalink**) 10-03-2006, 02:58 PM

First, I think there are better examples to compare it to than the Green/Geathers play. That was a football play, and it didn't even draw a penalty, fine, or suspension. It just resulted in injury like many football plays do.

I wouldn't fault the guy for suing Haynesworth if he does. But in a weird way, football players know that dirty shit happens in those piles. For that reason, as long as Gerode is not somehow affected professionally (by missing games) or physically (aside from the stitches) I wouldn't expect him to sue him. I think the NFL and the Tennessee Titans can dole out enough punishment themselves.

In no way am I condoning the act, but assuming no permanent injury results from this act, I don't think we can classify this as any worse an offense than people twisting ankles, punching, biting, or breaking fingers at the bottom of a pile. It's just as sick and just as unnecessarily violent.

shantyman · #4 (**permalink**) 10-03-2006, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tedesco

Yes. The NFL is not it's own lawful governing body and is still subject to the law like everyone else. Why major sports seem to be immune to the law (with only the grevious cases being exempt) is beyond me.

What do you think of the Steve Moore Todd Bertuzzi incident?

shantyman · #5 (**permalink**) 10-03-2006, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by osu99jp

First, I think there are better examples to compare it to than the Green/Geathers play. That was a football play, and it didn't even draw a penalty, fine, or suspension. It just resulted in injury like many football plays do.

I wouldn't fault the guy for suing Haynesworth if he does. But in a weird way, football players know that dirty shit happens in those piles. For that reason, as long as Gerode is not somehow affected professionally (by missing games) or physically (aside from the stitches) I wouldn't expect him to sue him. I think the NFL and the Tennessee Titans can dole out enough punishment themselves.

In no way am I condoning the act, but assuming no permanent injury results from this act, I don't think we can classify this as any worse an offense than people twisting ankles, punching, biting, or breaking fingers at the bottom of a pile. It's just as sick and just as unnecessarily violent.

That is not dirty shit in a pile- he stomped his face for no reason.

Franny · #6 (**permalink**) 10-03-2006, 04:32 PM

Quote:

That is not dirty shit in a pile- he stomped his face for no reason.

I am not sure if there should be any legal action taken but the 5 game suspension is jusified by the fact that HE DID IT TWICE. This is worse than what Marcus "New MexicO" Vick did when he stomped on a guy's leg.

osu99jp · #7 (**permalink**) 10-03-2006, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shantyman

That is not dirty shit in a pile- he stomped his face for no reason.

True, it was done for no reason other than stupidly misplaced frustration, but all that shit that goes on in piles that the refs don't see is also done for no reason. It's done because they feel like doing it. They see an arm attached to a jersey that doesn't match their own jersey, so they bite it. It's all dirty and has no place in the game.

I won't blame him if he sues, but if his life is otherwise not significantly altered by this incident, I don't think Gurode will want to be the player that sets the precedent of suing another player for a dirty tactic on the playing field.

I'm pro-Gurode here, whatever he wants to do is fine with me.

Tedesco · #8 (**permalink**) 10-03-2006, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shantyman

What do you think of the Steve Moore Todd Bertuzzi incident?

The Bertuzzi incident was one of the incidents I was talking about.

If I got into a fight with Shanty, and decided that the best way to deal with it was to throw a baseball at him, I could be arrested with assult and battery, yet it is perfectly accepted course of action when playing baseball.

If I just decided to to forgo the baseball and just pummel him outright, again I could be arrested, yet it is a perfectly acceptable action if I were playing hockey.

Am I allowed to just fight whoever I want, just as long as I am working? Can I punch a customer who pisses me off just because it's "part of my job"? No, and neither should athletes.

"It's part of the game" and "Players get caught up in the moment" should not be viable excuses. Executing a late hit is a good example of when a player might be a bit caught up. Looking down at a player after the play has ended, and then stepping on his head; that is not a good example. What that is is premeditated and completely uncalled for.

I think a 5 game suspension is too weak. This guy needs to be removed from the game for the rest of the year, and then apply for reinstatement.

rickspics · #9 (**permalink**) 10-03-2006, 08:53 PM

I think Gurode should press charges and file a suit especially if there is any sort of long term injury. Haynesworth should have been arrested much like Bertuzzi was for his heinous and cowardly act and should be facing charges right now for at the very least assault. Gurode should sue Haynesworth much like the wide receiver whose name escapes me sued Bill Romanowski for the 'roid rage hit Romo put on him in practice. These guys have to learn that the things they do on the field that go beyond acceptable game play are 'actionable' in a court of law either civilly or criminally.

V3n0M · #10 (**permalink**) 10-04-2006, 01:00 PM

My example about Geathers was because it was a 'clean hit' by the rules, but if you do that in real life, you would be in serious trouble. So do the players have a special waiver where 'illegal' things you do in real life are 'legal' on the field? If not, what is to prevent Green from suing Geathers -- even though it was 'legal' on the field? That's what I don't want to see happen if Gurode does press charges - someone getting sued for something that was within the NFL rules, but against the law on the streets.

I guess the same is true for boxing, there must be something protecting them from suing each other, because their activity would not be legal on the street. I wonder how that works..

My opinion is that there should be 'legal' protection against fair plays on the field, protection that prevents fair hits from being punishable off the field. No doubt Haynesworth's attack should be punishable on and off the field.