The NFL is trying its best to avoid disciplining Cleveland Browns wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. for his latest episode of bizarre behavior, perhaps in hopes that if they don’t address it, the situation might just go away. Or resolve itself.
There is nothing in the handbook covering slapping a security guard’s backside in public. OBJ seems to find new ways to re-write the code of conduct and this time, the act was so ridiculously childish, there’s no precedent.
Hence, let’s close our eyes, hope it goes away and maybe he won’t do anything like this again. Don’t count on it.
A league spokesman tells PFT regarding whether Beckham faces any scrutiny from the NFL, “We have been monitoring the situation but will decline further comment.”
Beckham’s lawyer has informed ESPN.com that the arrest warrant arising from a slap to the butt of a Superdome security officer has been withdrawn. However, the absence of criminal charges does not insulate a player from scrutiny under the NFL’s Personal Conduct Policy. Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott received a six-game suspension despite no arrest or charges, and free-agent receiver Antonio Brown spent most of 2019 on de facto unpaid suspension as the league investigates him for potential punishment, even though he also has not been arrested or charged.
The inappropriate touching of the security guard is just one half of the Beckham story. Of course, there is still the handing out of cash to LSU players after their National Championship victory over Clemson last week.
More from PFT:
The distribution of cash by Beckham to LSU players provides a separate cause for concern. If the NCAA directs LSU to disassociate itself from Beckham, the NFL may feel compelled to act against Beckham in some way, given the league’s constant efforts to keep content the custodians of its free farm system.
So, the NFL might not be able to turn the blind eye for much longer after all…
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