Someone tells the entire world that you got smacked in the eye because you tried to breakup a fight between an employee and manager, what do you do? Do you defend yourself and throw the employee under the bus who has called you out several times in every effort to find employment elsewhere?
The Bengals are refusing comment, again, giving off an appearance that they are pushed over, time and again, from their own players.
Refusing comment does little to kill a story like this. Wouldn't it be better to confirm it and tell everyone that we've all moved on? As ridiculous as truth sounds, it tends to soften the impact of any issue. No one raised the Bengals UFC bout until Shaun Smith took the mic. Furthermore, if someone truly wants to get the bottom of this anarchist lockerroom, why not invite Smith for an interview?
This team is the epitome of privilege. How many players were released after their arrests? Releasing guys like A.J. Nicholson and Matthias Askew had no consequence because they hardly played. Did they release Deltha O'Neal or Eric Steinbach? Chris Henry would literally have to be convicted of first degree murder to be released from this team. If you put up good stats, or simply start a few games, then you're in luck. No matter what you do, you won't be released. Now we know that personal confrontations have little bearing on a player's future in Cincinnati. Pop a coach in the eye or put him in a head lock, receive a contract extension.
That, my friend, is privilege.
Many superstars get free passes in professional sports, no doubt. It's one of the most embarrassing aspects of our "justice" system. Elected officials, musicians (the popular ones) and movie stars can be grouped into the same level of privilege. It's even laughable that the new "in" thing for celebrities is admitting yourself into drug and alcohol treatment programs. It is what it is.
Another day as a Bengals fan (sigh).