The Daily Banter: Cincinnati Cops Are Targeting Athletes?

by Josh Kirkendall on Jun 30, 2010 9:29 AM EDT in Analysis

+ Even though the arrest happened in Texas, ESPN's Ric Bucher, a Cincinnati native, says that Cincinnati police are targeting athletes.

"The relationship in Cincinnati between the police and the professional athletes is challenging, I would say," Bucher said. "I believe there is a little bit of targeting that goes on there."

As noted by Michael David Smith, this isn't the first time we've heard someone claim the same thing. During an interview with Dan Patrick during May of 2007, Lewis said:

"I think there's profiling, no question," Lewis said on the show. "We're (Cincinnati) a small place - our guys stand out, and they know that, and you've got to do things the right way. But when you are arrested for, or you are pulled over for, not putting on your turn signal, there's something wrong there.

"Many people make right turns without putting on their turn signals and it's unfortunate that we've had a guy that's pulled over for not putting on his turn signal.

+ Joe Reedy believes that Cedric Benson won't serve a suspension.

+ I did a quick interview with the Fantasy Football Blog at Razzball.com.

+ Hamilton County still hasn't responded to the Bengals' offer for concessions in "October offering $40 million in concessions but asked for a change in the lease that could possibly allow the team to leave in 2017."

+ Robert Geather's younger brother Clifton was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the sixth round during this year's NFL Draft. On Monday, Geathers signed his multi-year deal with the Browns.

+ Steelers right tackle Willie Colon suffered an Achilles injury and will likely miss the entire season. As a result former Cowboys' offensive lineman Flozell Adams visited the Steelers and took a physical on Tuesday.

+ Quarterback Mark Brunell filed for Chapter 11 and now owes $24.7 million.

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Comments

What was the turn signal incident?

I don’t remember that one. Not to rip open old wounds, but making a right without signalling is illegal, is it not? To say a lot of people do it isn’t inaccurate, but how many do it and get away with it in front of a cop?

"I feel and think much as you do, care about many of the things you care about, although most people do not care about them. You are not alone."
-Kurt Vonnegut

by NYSteelersFan4 on Jun 30, 2010 10:10 AM EDT reply actions

RE:

It was Chris Henry. He failed to use a turn signal and was pulled over. Cops found out he was driving on a suspended license.

Blogger at CincyJungle.com -- SB Nation Cincinnati Bengals blog.

by Josh Kirkendall on Jun 30, 2010 10:23 AM EDT up reply actions

Thanks for the info...

I’ll go back to quietly reading, as to not offend anyone with my ignorence of the situation.

"I feel and think much as you do, care about many of the things you care about, although most people do not care about them. You are not alone."
-Kurt Vonnegut

by NYSteelersFan4 on Jun 30, 2010 11:33 AM EDT up reply actions

Things boring over at stoolers nation?

If I got pulled over for turning right without a turn signal.. Id be pissed. I have a feeling you would be too.

by 80%OFTHETIMEIMRIGHTEVERYTIME on Jun 30, 2010 10:24 AM EDT up reply actions

No...

I have been checking this site for updates on the Benson situation. I apologize if my question bothered you, but I was generally curious. I am trying to get some info about Benson, so I don’t come out and form an inaccurate opinion about the situation. The best place to get info is from people who have in depth knowledge of the situation, and are gathering facts themselves. I mean, I could just read TMZ, but what would that make me?

Yes, I’d be angry. But I’m sure that people who rob banks are angry when they get caught. In no way am I comparing the crimes, just saying it sucks to get caught breaking the law in general. The law is the law. If you break it, and they catch you, that’s how it works though.

"I feel and think much as you do, care about many of the things you care about, although most people do not care about them. You are not alone."
-Kurt Vonnegut

by NYSteelersFan4 on Jun 30, 2010 11:32 AM EDT up reply actions

Thats a pretty general look at the law.. ever j-walked?

The turn signal had nothing to do with Benson.

If you read TMZ I believe that would make you about as knowledgeable as anyone on here, as we are all waiting for more details..

by 80%OFTHETIMEIMRIGHTEVERYTIME on Jun 30, 2010 11:43 AM EDT up reply actions

Listen, I don't want to start any trouble...

And I meant no offense. I asked a question, that was all. And just so I’m not misunderstood, you had asked me if things were boring at “Stoolers Nation”. I felt like you were wondering why I was here, so I explained my reason. That was it.

Yes, I have J walked. I also know a guy who J Walked in Atlantic City, NJ 330 miles from home. He was ticketed for it, and had to drive all the way back there as a result for what ever reason. Saying that when a law is broken, regardless of how insignificant the law is in your opinion, and you get caught breaking the law you get punished is not a general look at the law. It’s simply how the law works. You break it, and get caught, you get in trouble. And that always sucks, but perhaps you should just be more aware of your surroundings (i.e. police officers in your area) before you break such a silly law.

"I feel and think much as you do, care about many of the things you care about, although most people do not care about them. You are not alone."
-Kurt Vonnegut

by NYSteelersFan4 on Jun 30, 2010 11:54 AM EDT up reply actions

I suppose that was the officer's discretion..

Thanks for explaining how the law works.

by 80%OFTHETIMEIMRIGHTEVERYTIME on Jun 30, 2010 12:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Yes it was...

And I wasn’t trying to explain how the law works, perhaps I misunderstood your “Thats a pretty general look at the law” statement above, and I tried to further explain what I meant, assuming my statement was misunderstood. I am now officially sorry I asked the original question.

Gentlemen, have a great day. I will fall back into the “readers only” section of this site, where it is apparent some would prefer I stay.

"I feel and think much as you do, care about many of the things you care about, although most people do not care about them. You are not alone."
-Kurt Vonnegut

by NYSteelersFan4 on Jun 30, 2010 12:22 PM EDT up reply actions

I think that your comments have been very polite, and have hasd no issue with them.

by jim0ijk on Jun 30, 2010 12:29 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree.

by Todd G on Jun 30, 2010 12:32 PM EDT up reply actions

dude if I got pulld over for not using a turn signal when I turned I would go insane

I never ever use a turn signal unless someone is directly behind me in a one lane road and need to know Im turning.

by Diesel2405 on Jun 30, 2010 3:25 PM EDT up reply actions

NYSF4 has done nothing but exhibit class and divisional respect in each every post and comment he’s taken the time to provide thoughts…..not only today but everyday.

please show him the same respect that he’s shown us….and really any AFCN honk for that matter

The hate that i’ve seen on AFCN blogs this past 24hours has been nothing short of disgusting in many cases….. save it for Cincinnati.com

3 yards and a pile of dust

by Hudepohl Dey on Jun 30, 2010 12:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Yea.. things are really getting out of control. Look at all the name calling and curses being thrown out..

by 80%OFTHETIMEIMRIGHTEVERYTIME on Jun 30, 2010 12:12 PM EDT up reply actions

not sure if

you’re with me or mocking me, 80%….

i’m not saying this article hasn’t gotten out of control, necessarily, but i’ve seen numerous displays of hatred from “AFCN” fans both here and BTSC… it’s disturbing.

3 yards and a pile of dust

by Hudepohl Dey on Jun 30, 2010 12:17 PM EDT up reply actions

I appreciate the effort...

And I agree with what you’ve said.

I should have thought more about the current climate here, and perhaps not asked the simple question that started this.

"I feel and think much as you do, care about many of the things you care about, although most people do not care about them. You are not alone."
-Kurt Vonnegut

by NYSteelersFan4 on Jun 30, 2010 12:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Ha, you know I love you Hu Dey!

I do agree, but I was mocking you a tad.

Im not trying to put on any displays of hatred, which I believe I haven’t. Nor was our conversation really that bad, since when is it such a sin to get under a steelers fan’s skin on OUR OWN BLOG? without cursing, making rude remarks, or any of that “hatred”?

Apologists unite..

by 80%OFTHETIMEIMRIGHTEVERYTIME on Jun 30, 2010 12:34 PM EDT up reply actions

several fanposts/articles are painted with many many ugly comments

http://www.cincyjungle.com/2010/6/29/1543336/cedric-benson-arrested-and-charged

http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2010/6/29/1543532/news-bungles-rb-cedric-benson

i don’t care to see it happen again, that’s all….

3 yards and a pile of dust

by Hudepohl Dey on Jun 30, 2010 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions

I didnt post on either of those articles..

so Im guessing thats not for me.

Theres nothing wrong with some fun heckling/getting under an opponents skin, which I will continue to do.

by 80%OFTHETIMEIMRIGHTEVERYTIME on Jun 30, 2010 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions

Where is the "we're in from Cleveland"?

by jim0ijk on Jun 30, 2010 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions

I have never heard of somebody that I know of personally getting pulled over for not putting on his turn signal, and I am pretty sure that I’ve done it in front of squad cars.

I’ll just say that I think that profiling does happen, and in Henry’s case, he was probably pulled over because the cop was either targeting him, or just profiling in general.

This is our year!

by Paul Cannon on Jun 30, 2010 11:52 AM EDT up reply actions

Well, that was that officer's discretion...

Not pulling you over for that, if that was the case. You’re lucky he wasn’t up against an end of the month quota, which is a whole nother ball of wax hurting our law enforcement officials abilities. That’s a debate for another day.

I’m not going to pretend profiling doesn’t exist, and I never even alluded that way. Just saying, everytime someone gets ticketed for what is thought of as a foolish law, it doesn’t mean he was targetted, and it also doesn’t mean he wasn’t. This is old news, and I was just trying to find out what it was exactly. At this point I’m sorry I even asked.

"I feel and think much as you do, care about many of the things you care about, although most people do not care about them. You are not alone."
-Kurt Vonnegut

by NYSteelersFan4 on Jun 30, 2010 12:00 PM EDT up reply actions

I don’t mean to attack you since I know that you’ve been one of the few gracious Steelers fans on SB Nation. I’m just stating my opinion. I’m all for getting back to the topic of football.

This is our year!

by Paul Cannon on Jun 30, 2010 3:35 PM EDT up reply actions

I've been pulled over for failing to signal a turn.

It happens. I was sent away with a warning, though, in part because I wasn’t driving with a suspended license.

This is a non-issue IMO. If you’re a professional athlete you’re going to get more attention, both good and bad. Anyway, of the Cincy cops I know (quite a few), I’d bet most of them would be more apt to grant additional leeway to a Bengal than to further scrutinize them, assuming they were biased in either direction.

by Jaegner on Jun 30, 2010 12:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Not a turn signal but...

I was recently pulled over for not wearing a seat belt when I was. He apologized and sent me on my way, but it happened.

by jim0ijk on Jun 30, 2010 12:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Dude I have a friend that is a cop and the profile all the time

Be glad they do because it helps get knuckle heads off the streets.

by Diesel2405 on Jun 30, 2010 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions

on another note:

Mardy Gilyard is a Bengal, now (1:30)…. anyone hear this?

and Gresham’s “willing to do anything” to make an impact this season

3 yards and a pile of dust

by Hudepohl Dey on Jun 30, 2010 11:03 AM EDT reply actions

This isn't the first about Mardy...

Yahoo the other day had a link to an article about Mardy. The link was titled “Bengals, Gilyard agree”. It then linked to an article about Mardy agreeing to terms with the Rams.

by Oregonbengalsfan on Jun 30, 2010 12:08 PM EDT up reply actions

thought it was funny....

just thought i’d share with everyone…..

3 yards and a pile of dust

by Hudepohl Dey on Jun 30, 2010 12:11 PM EDT up reply actions

i didn’t see that one, on yahoo….

3 yards and a pile of dust

by Hudepohl Dey on Jun 30, 2010 12:11 PM EDT up reply actions

Profiling versus favors

I’m sure that some degree of profiling goes on, but I also get the impression that Cincy cops don’t cut players breaks, as cops do for athletes in other cities. I’ve always wondered why that is.

by Big Sky Bengal on Jun 30, 2010 12:37 PM EDT reply actions

Targeting of Athletes

I don’t agree with targeting of athletes at all. Really makes the person who supports this as uneducated, “like most professional athletes” I can’t remember ever hearing about a traffic violation where the athlete was not guilty? Or am I wrong? I don’t have the exact numbers per month for traffic violations in Hamilton County (Cincinnati for those who don’t know) but I think it is around 2000. So to say one bengal/reds player gets pulled over a month, well that is 1% of the time. Oh wait, I was pulled over last month for speeding, and my mom was pulled over last week for speeding, they must be targeting my family. Ric Bucher is showing his real education.

by POKES on Jun 30, 2010 12:52 PM EDT reply actions

As previously stated

Anyone that thinks that the standards aren’t a little higher in Cincy for these athletes… Is naive. I know I’ve stated this same fact on this blog recently. Cincinnati is one of the most conservative cities in the country. Granted quite a few athletes have brought attention to them selves the teams and the city. However I am positive the record would be much less documented in most other cities…

Hell ya they’re being showcased. Targeted… I doubt it.
But when the opportunity presents itself. They’re being put on display. I believe Ced Benson. This is an extortion scheme plain and simple. Prosecute the guilty!

by olbuzz on Jul 1, 2010 4:06 AM EDT reply actions