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Chick Ludwig covers the Cincinnati Bengals. He also writes about his other passions: college football, basketball and golf.Home > Blogs > Chick Ludwig At Large > Archives > 2009 > April > 09 > Entry
When will the Bengals ever learn?
LEON HALL’S IMAGE DAMAGED
BY ONE STUPID MISTAKE — DUI
NFL’S PERSONAL CONDUCT POLICY
IS CLEARLY NOT WORKING AT ALL
On the morning after, I’m still stunned.
I still find it hard to believe that Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Leon Hall was arrested for DUI.
What would motivate someone — not just a professional athlete, but anybody — to get behind the wheel of a car and attempt to drive after they’ve been drinking alcohol?
They immediately put their life, and the lives of others, in danger.
Don’t they realize the Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) will target them?
Because of his squeaky-clean image, Hall was chosen to succeed safety Kevin Kaesviharn as the Bengals spokesperson for Breast Cancer Awareness Month last October.
Hall’s imagine is severely damaged. And the Bengals — with 11 player arrests in 16 incidents since December 2005 — continue to be looked down upon as an organization that employes renegades in football pads and striped helmets.
A friend of mine — who attended McNicholas High School and Wright State University (“From Rockets to Raiders”) — grew up minutes from the very spot where Hall’s 2007 Mercedes Benz was stopped Sunday at 3:11 a.m. on Mount Carmel-Tobasco Road in Union Township by an Ohio State Patrol trooper.
It’s a bleak, dark, winding, dangerous road.
As I write this, I am thinking of a song. And I’d like to dedicate it to the “Cincinnati 11” and all arrested NFL players who are making darn sure that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell’s new Personal Conduct Policy is not working.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLe9pJSRas0
SIFTING THROUGH THE NFL…
• Is time running out on Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis? Twenty-six NFL teams have changed head coaches since Lewis became the Bengals boss in 2003. He survives because of a very patient owner.
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/9397582/Is-time-running-out-on-Marvin-Lewis
• Bengals weakside linebacker Keith Rivers told me he’d love to play alongside former USC teammate and MLB Rey Maualuga.
http://profootball.scout.com/2/852437.html
• Missouri wide receiver Jeremy Maclin visits the Cleveland Browns, and many others.
http://profootball.scout.com/2/854275.html
UNTIL NEXT TIME…
This is “The Chickster” saying, “Make Love, Not War; Give Peace a Chance; and Strawberry Fields Forever.”
Contact Chick Ludwig at cludwig@daytondailynews.com
For more information on Chick Ludwig, go to:
http://www.linkedin.com/in/chickludwig56#h150-309
Permalink | Comments (13) | Post your comment | Categories: Bengals
Comments
By Aggy
April 9, 2009 1:29 PM | Link to this
As much as I hate drunk drivers and wish they’d all die in a fire, this is still America, and a man is innocent until proven guilty. After his court date, if it stands, then they should send him packing.By Brian
April 9, 2009 2:01 PM | Link to this
Are you kidding? Send him packing? For a DUI? Not that I agree with what he did, but NO WAY will the Bengals or any NFL team dump a player for that - look at what other Bengals and NFL players have done and are still employed. The NFL may fine him, but that will be about it.By Geoff
April 9, 2009 2:43 PM | Link to this
Fire him? With the Bengals’ ownership philosophy, he’ll take this as an opportunity to re-negotiate his contract for a better deal! It’s the Bengals way!By MrDadSir
April 9, 2009 3:14 PM | Link to this
The tarnish that Mr.Hall has put on his name will last for a time but not forever.How he responds will be the test.By islebfrank
April 9, 2009 5:27 PM | Link to this
This is very disappointing, and will hurt Hall, the Bengals, and even us fans for a long time, but can be overcome. Thank God Hall has the opportunity to learn at a minimal cost to himself and the potential victims of his poor judgement. I too, had a DUI when I was in my early 20’s, and as a result of the DUI, etc., quit drinking all together shortly after that. For the last 30 years I haven’t had another DUI because I have made the decision to NOT drink and drive. Unfortunately, Hall’s indescretion comes at a bad time with Bengals problems in recent years.By islebfrank
April 9, 2009 5:34 PM | Link to this
This is very disappointing, and will hurt Hall, the Bengals, and even us fans for a long time, but can be overcome. Thank God Hall has the opportunity to learn at a minimal cost to himself and the potential victims of his poor judgment. I too, had a DUI when I was in my early 20’s, and as a result of the DUI, etc., quit drinking all together shortly after that. For the last 30 years I haven’t had another DUI because I have made the decision to NOT drink and drive. Unfortunately, Hall’s indiscretion comes at a bad time with the Bengals problems in recent years.By Grover
April 10, 2009 5:23 AM | Link to this
I just don’t understand how stupid these players are. After what has happened in the past with players in all sports leagues.It’s just mind boggling, Why? with the money they make Why would they not have somebody to pick and take them home.hu WhyBy bengalsfan?
April 10, 2009 10:12 AM | Link to this
He is just trying to make Tank and Chris feel at home.By sec 312
April 10, 2009 11:18 AM | Link to this
so chick..you have never had some drinks or beers and drove? Never?? even a couple then drove your car? EVER??By Mike from Texas
April 10, 2009 1:57 PM | Link to this
Great opportunity for the Bengals to be proactive and show some class (Bengals?? Class??) I’d start by contacting each agent and telling them that the Bengals have a team policy that players are to call a taxi whenver they are drinking past midnight…notice how this always happens at 2 or 3 in the morning? What do you think police are looking for at that time of night? Drunk drivers….lets get smart and get proactive and solve this porblem once and for all…By Mike from Texas
April 10, 2009 1:57 PM | Link to this
Great opportunity for the Bengals to be proactive and show some class (Bengals?? Class??) I’d start by contacting each agent and telling them that the Bengals have a team policy that players are to call a taxi whenver they are drinking past midnight…notice how this always happens at 2 or 3 in the morning? What do you think police are looking for at that time of night? Drunk drivers….lets get smart and get proactive and solve this porblem once and for all…By Derrick
April 12, 2009 5:15 PM | Link to this
No preaching here. Hall is like a lot of other young people who have been adored as talented since they were mere children. The idea of calling a cab, is n.By Derrick
April 12, 2009 5:20 PM | Link to this
cont’d. does not even enter their mind(s) because they think of themselves as “invincible” and able to leap tall buildings in a single bound, etc.