Holmes could be in trouble with NFL
By Mike Prisuta
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
No. 1 draft pick Santonio Holmes may be in violation of NFL policy as well as the laws of Ohio and Florida, which could impact the outset of his career with the Steelers, including his impending contract negotiations with the team.
Holmes' arrest early Monday morning in Columbus, Ohio, demands a league review, which could result in a disciplinary response under the NFL's personal conduct policy.
Such discipline could range from "clinical evaluation" to "suspension."
"It's a zero-tolerance policy," Pittsburgh-based agent Ralph Cindrich said Tuesday.
According to the NFL's Personal Conduct Policy, as it's presented on NFLmedia.com, "engaging in violent and/or criminal activity is unacceptable."
Unsigned rookies such as Holmes are considered covered by the policy once they're drafted.
Under the policy, it is considered conduct detrimental for "covered persons to engage in (or to aid, abet or conspire to engage in or to incite) violent and/or criminal activity. Examples of such prohibited conduct include, without limitation: any crime involving the use or threat of physical violence to a person or persons."
Covered persons charged with prohibited conduct "will be required to undergo a clinical evaluation and, if appropriate, additional counseling or treatment as directed. Failure to comply with evaluation and counseling obligations (including being arrested for or charged with additional criminal activity during the evaluation and counseling period) shall itself be conduct detrimental to the National Football League and shall be punishable by fine or suspension at the discretion of the commissioner."
Covered persons "convicted of or admitting to a criminal violation (including a plea to a lesser included offense; a plea of nolo contendere or no contest; or the acceptance of a diversionary program, deferred adjudication, disposition of supervision, or similar arrangement) will be subject to discipline as determined by the commissioner."
Holmes, a former Ohio State wide receiver, was arraigned Monday on charges of domestic violence by assault and assault, both first-degree misdemeanors, as well as an outstanding charge for speeding from a traffic accident on Oct. 18, 2005.
The domestic violence by assault and assault charges are punishable by a maximum of six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.
Holmes pleaded not guilty on all three charges.
Holmes was released on his own recognizance Monday afternoon from the Franklin County (Ohio) jail and reported to the Steelers' South Side practice facility yesterday morning. He was put through his paces on the field by wide receivers coach Bruce Arians, spent some time in the weight room with conditioning coach Chet Fuhrman and met with director of football operations Kevin Colbert.
Holmes did not speak with reporters, but the Steelers issued the following statement from him:
"I understand that being a Pittsburgh Steeler carries along with it the demands for responsible behavior off the field. I want to apologize for the negative attention that my arrest on Monday has brought upon the Pittsburgh Steelers organization, especially in light of my previous arrest in May."
Holmes was arrested for disorderly conduct over the Memorial Day weekend in Miami Beach, a charge a Miami Beach police spokesman dismissed as "nothing."
Holmes has a pre-trial hearing scheduled for July 7 in Ohio and another impending court date July 12 in Florida.
His agent, Joel Segal, declined comment yesterday. Steelers management also declined comment.
Cindrich anticipates that Holmes' troubles with the law will affect his upcoming contract negotiations with the Steelers.
"I don't think there's any question that any clause for protection they can get in there, they'll get in there," Cindrich said. "Almost assuredly, the club is going to force as much of a good conduct policy (into the contract) as possible.
"It's highly unlikely he'll receive a signing bonus in the same manner and fashion as other draft choices (with the majority being paid up front). It'll likely be spread out more (over several years) and contain a few more conditions."
The severity of any discipline handed out by the NFL would depend upon how violent it estimates Holmes to have been, Cindrich said.
Holmes' attorney, Sam Shamansky, wouldn't rule out the Ohio misdemeanor charges being dropped eventually.
"It's always possible," Shamansky said. "There's no sort of protocol on these things. Each case is unique, but as domestic violence charges go, they're all serious."
Cindrich said the league wouldn't necessarily wait for a conviction before administering its penalty.
Calls to the NFL yesterday were not returned.
"It may be a reprimand, may be a warning," Cindrich said. "If it got into a situation where there are just gruesome facts, I would see it happening right away."
Mike Prisuta can be reached at
mprisuta@tribweb.com