Questions Should Be Raised In Cedric Benson's Alleged Assault
by Josh Kirkendall on Jun 29, 2010 9:04 PM EDT
in Legal/Off Field Issues
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PrintSoon after Cedric Benson's lawyer released a statement on behalf of the running back, ESPN's Adam Schefter tweets that he has "been told by a league source familiar with Cedric Benson's case that it is 'very minor.'" Knowing Roger Goodell as intimately as we do, back in the day always setting an example of personal conduct against our lonely little fellas, we still have no idea how to approach the word "minor". On one hand, he'll suspend a player a long time even without having been legally convicted of a crime. On the other hand, he's always stated that his rule, when dishing out bone-crunching punishments, has always been about the integrity of the game. However, it's possible, just possible, that the league office is viewing this with a lens that I'm starting to see through.
This entire situation keeps appearing like a personal vendetta from a guy that's pissed off after realizing that he could have scored big with a personal lawsuit.
I've said all day that this situation just smells of weird. If Benson is the victim, and that's the position that his lawyer took in a released statement, then questions have to be raised:
- Why did it take a full month to pass before the charges were officially charged?
- Why weren't there any reports from witnesses that night and did any local papers report on it?
- If Benson did call the cops, as his lawyer said, is there a report filed from the night of the incident after Benson was interviewed by police?
- Why weren't charges filed after he was interviewed that night?
- If Benson spoke with the investigating detective and provided a date that he'd return to Texas, why didn't the detective get in touch with Benson?
Benson's version of events appear differently than what's being reported in the police report. For instance, take this report from TMZ which states that Benson was "spitting blood from his injured lip." Then, the TMZ report states afterwards, that "bar employees tried to calm Benson down -- and the NFL star replied, 'I don't give a f*ck.'" After refusing to leave the bar, Benson "had to be physically escorted out by security." It's very possible that Benson's version and the police report are two parts to a whole. Perhaps Benson was the first to be assaulted (at the very least threatened) and he retaliated.
It would make sense. Some drunken idiot takes exception to Benson posing with some ladies for photographs and the man punched Benson -- hence the "spitting blood from his injured lip." Benson reacts, as many of us would and an altercation ensued. While leaving the club, as written in Cornwell's statement, he was "approached by another man aggressively"; which could have been a bouncer. Not waiting to see how this would turn out, Benson "protected himself" and then left the club. The biggest discrepancies between the police report and Cornwell's statement is whether or not Benson left on his own, or was escorted out. Words were flying, which I'm sure happened.
Either way, this is what we know. Lawyers will always put their clients in a favorable light. Somewhere in the middle, idly sits the truth. The league views the matter as "minor". This story isn't going away.
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its unclear
Seems to me to be a relatively minor bar fight which the bar has decided to take seroisly. I’ve seen much more serious bar fights with no charges.
Ced gets hit for whatever reason bouncers do nothing situation escalates ced getd pissed because the bar seems to be against him and situation further escalates. Bar decides to press charges because they didn’t get a settlement or just to be jerks.
Perhaps wishful thinking but…
Hopefully the truth becomes more clear soon
by goffchile on Jun 29, 2010 9:21 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
What worries me
Isn’t so much the suspension that he’ll most probably get but the legal process of if he is found guilty: up to a year in jail would be bad for our offense to say the least.
The enemy of my enemy is my friend.
After seeing stories like this
I do not see why pro athletes step with 200 yards of any bar or nightclub.
+1
The enemy of my enemy is my friend.
by HOFArmchairQB on Jun 29, 2010 10:08 PM EDT up reply actions
I just can't get over the fact...
That seemingly the day after this event, without mentioning a word about it to the team or the league, Benson’s agent approached the Bengals about an extension. Just screams to me “Trying to grab a signing bonus before the huge suspension he knows he’s going to get.”
I don’t know what any of this “self defense” business is about. Sounds like an awful lot of expensive lawyer-speak to me. But if this turns into anything like an actual drunken-bar-assault case, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Godell go full on Odell Thurman on Ced. 8+ games. Maybe even a season. And at this point in the offseason, we need to prepare tor that possibility. Westbrook, Lynch, Lendale White. ANyone who can share some carries with Bernard Scott come opening day.
This offseason was going so well…
no kidding..
why Ced.. WHY?!
Lets hope the details put Benson out of trouble.
by 80%OFTHETIMEIMRIGHTEVERYTIME on Jun 29, 2010 11:22 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree
with eric 100%. Any suspension on Benson could be quite long and most certainly harmful to the Bengals.
The enemy of my enemy is my friend.
We're likely to hear lots of discussion on this for a couple of days, so....
Keep an open mind. Stay Classy, Cincy.
Realize that there’s a ton of unknowns with this one. Don’t jump to conclusions.
Give Ced the benefit of the doubt. Until I see an official statement that he was drunk off his ass and started a fight with another patron, and/or the bouncer (they never get overly aggressive) then lets go with his side.
Guy goes to fun bar with friends and family over a holiday weekend. Guy gets suckerpunched because of ____________. Some punches fly. Some Bouncers hop in. Guy leaves bar.
Really not a big deal, but I still would not be surprised to see NFL Commish take some sort of action. The bigger deal will be made by all of those sportswriters and fans have have been chomping at the bit to find a reason to call us Bungles and Criminals. Just let it go.
2010 - The Year of the Tiger.
Im surprised..
no one has busted out “the truth shall set you free”.
by 80%OFTHETIMEIMRIGHTEVERYTIME on Jun 30, 2010 8:03 AM EDT up reply actions
I think someone at that bar is just pissed off that they tried to fight ced the pred (over what I don’t know, it wouldn’t surprise me if it was a woman) and he kicked their ass and wasn’t going to have any of it. they simmered and thought about it for a while and figured they could get money out of him by bringing it up
at least i hope so
i'll remember the next time there's a brawl on a baseball field
that every player deserves to be arrested.
RIP Slim.
+1 Whats the difference?
Beer
In Zim We Trust......Collaros for Heisman
by TennBengalfan on Jun 30, 2010 4:40 PM EDT up reply actions
I love all the lame excuses here lol
Big Ben = guilty, rapist, suspend him, jerk, where there is smoke there is fire, blah blah blah Cedrick= somebody wants money, he won’t be suspended,wait for the truth, blah blah blah This makes perfect sense to me. Interesting…..
What I read from your post...
“I’m a Steelers fan, so it’s safe to say that I am a bearded, fat, loud-mouthed slob. I have been diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome, so I don’t have much of a life besides going to Bengals websites and posting illogical garbage. Big Ben is a serial rapist whose face moles talk to me in my sleep. I know that the Steelers will go 6-10 in 2010, so I’m going to go back tossing off to my Bam Morris 1995 Fleer card.”.
by Anthony Cosenza on Jun 30, 2010 12:52 PM EDT up reply actions
It is actually pretty unreasable to assume that a poster who has been diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome would post illogical garbage.
Really?
Watch “Rain Man” and get back to me on that one.
by Anthony Cosenza on Jun 30, 2010 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions
Where are the apologists on this one?
Hey BA13.. Watch what diseases you use to mock people with.. its honestly not funny.
by 80%OFTHETIMEIMRIGHTEVERYTIME on Jun 30, 2010 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions
thing is, I would much rather go through life having gotten into a bar fight or two than having gotten into a rape or two
Depends on who is raping me tbh,
because if it’s Megan Fox I’m ok with it.
by TCfromDubVee on Jun 30, 2010 3:32 PM EDT up reply actions
Someone is a True Blood fan
Blogger at CincyJungle.com -- SB Nation Cincinnati Bengals blog.
by Josh Kirkendall on Jun 30, 2010 4:18 PM EDT up reply actions
WTH HAHAHA NO SIR!!!!
Sarah Palin
In Zim We Trust......Collaros for Heisman
by TennBengalfan on Jun 30, 2010 4:43 PM EDT up reply actions
Can you not make fun of rape, please?
Especially with Condalisa Rice. It’s honestly not funny.
by Anthony Cosenza on Jun 30, 2010 5:28 PM EDT up reply actions
Condalisa Rice raping me is funny..
making fun of people who are born with serious illness’… is not. Get a clue.
by 80%OFTHETIMEIMRIGHTEVERYTIME on Jun 30, 2010 6:35 PM EDT up reply actions
getting punched/ punching someone.....
is not the same as rape you moron. If that poor girl could’ve defended herself (like Ced) i doubt you’d have anything to pathetically be trying to compare our incedent to.
can’t wait for you team to sprial into mediocracy with a shit head coach and aging stars
it comes down to mind over matter....if you don't mind, it won't matter
The problem with your post
Is you are obviously skewed by Big Mole’s issues.
All I have stated, apparently it’s a lame excuse, is that we don’t know the full picture. Ced’s version hasn’t even been heard yet by the police. We have not seen the video (there’s always a camera somewhere). My guess is that the investigators will try to obtain the camera tape – we’ll see if it has been conveniently erased or not, because remember there are employees involved in this one.
So until these things come to light, I’m not going to speculate either way about if he’s guilty, nor should you. My gut tells me this is minor and not much news. Big Mole’s gut says “Minor? Where is she?” Relax. I am kidding. Calm down.
2010 - The Year of the Tiger.
LOSER
Benson is a pathetic loser whining bitch drunk!!!!!! I hope they finally kick his worthless ass out of the league so he can do what he is qualified for, asking me if I want fries with my order!!!!! What a waste of talent. He was worthless with the Bears and only finally played good to try and get that big fat contract with the Bungles and he f**ks that up too! What an idiot, hope you guys enjoy.
Wow...
You really joined not only Cincy Jungle, but also SB Nation today just to post this comment? It really must have burnt when Benson ran for almost 200 yards on the Bears.
by Oregonbengalsfan on Jun 30, 2010 10:34 PM EDT up reply actions
How's Jay Cutler doing these days?
29 INT’s is a lot.. esp in one season.
by 80%OFTHETIMEIMRIGHTEVERYTIME on Jul 1, 2010 12:39 AM EDT up reply actions
@Boregonbuttholesfan: WOWWWW……. Are you some kind of detective to know I signed up just to comment????!!!!!! Why don’t you also stick your head up my ass and see what I ate for breakfast. Yes it did burn because he ran like a pussy for us. But his true drunk nature came out again. Glad you guys are stuck with him.
@0%: Yes that is alot. Look at Favre, Manning. They also put up alot of INT early in their career, hell Favre is the master with the record. They are both HOF locks….so you never know.
@brandnone: If you remeber, Forte did "kill it " his rookie season(1,238 rushing yards, 477 receiving yards). Last year he played hurt and we had a crappy line. Now he is healthy and hopefully our line can play better. We will see.
Now I have a joke for you guys: One day this poor lost tiger was was walking through the woods and met up with a bear taking a huge steaming crap. The bear knowing that the tiger was a stranger in his woods asked him if he had a problem with shit sticking to his fur. The tiger said no, so the bear wiped his ass clean with the tiger! Is that shit funny or what!! SUCK IT BUNGLES
@Boreganbungles fan
After that great write up AND the funny joke,, that’s ALL you have to say???? What is there to be envious of? A lousy player that your team too will soon be letting go? Yeah, I really want that. One other question, do you live on the internet? I just posted a reply and bam!!! you were sitting there all sad and lonely waiting for it. So did you like the joke or not.
Great write up? Where?
All I read was a little boy’s sniveling because his best friend found a new best friend. No, I don’t live on the internet. Since it’s so important to you, if you must know, I got home from work, took the dogs for a walk, ate dinner and then decided to see if there was any new info on the Bengals, and all I find is you throwing a tantrum. The joke was actually kinda funny… considering bears are part of a tiger’s diet .
http://jackjacksonj.webs.com/tigerpredationonbears.htm
Again, since its so important for you to know, I am now going to go have sex with my wife and go to bed.
Goodnight Tiger food
by Oregonbengalsfan on Jul 2, 2010 1:04 AM EDT up reply actions
Get offended much?????
If I knew saying those things would bother you so much that you had to make up an imagined life, I never would have said it….. yes I would. If you look at your first reply, you were the one so interested in me joining Cincy Bungle “just so I can post a comment”. I’m still waiting for you to tell me what I ate for breakfast Mr. detective. Now if you don’t mind, I’m going to go have sex with your imaginary wife and go to bed. goodnight shit for brains
Haha... NIce come back... I guess for a Bear
Talk about being offended… you were obviously offended enough to join and comment on this… I’m done with you now BearFeces54. Goodbye
by Oregonbengalsfan on Jul 2, 2010 11:40 AM EDT reply actions
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