Thursday, September 13, 2007
Mark Bell's Suspension
The NHL's decision to slap Mark Bell with a 15 game suspension as a "follow-up" to the 6 month jail sentence for Bell's DUI conviction is an example of how professional sports' desire to protect their image can go too far.
This isn't to say I don't think Bell shouldn't go to jail, or that his crime isn't serious and he shouldn't have to face the consequences of his actions. But at the same time, Mark Bell has said he has been completed sober for over a year. Not one drop of booze. And there is no reason or evidence to think he's lying. So he's starting to turn his life around, for the better, and the reward is a suspension with no pay.
Bell has a jail sentence waiting for him once the season is over. I don't think jail is fun for one day, much less the 180 days he has to look forward to. If the NHL didn't want to look weak by pretending his incident didn't happen, the could have alternatively announced they have been pleased with his progress in battling his alcoholism, and to reward his progress no suspension is forthcoming. They could also plug how the NHL's substance abuse program is working.
I don't think a suspension here serves any purpose.
# posted by SBP : 9:52 PM
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SBP,
The suspension should have been 82 games.
The suspension was reduced to 15 games becasue of his behaviour over the past year which has been good from all accounts.
He left the scene of an accident where he was drunk and he also injured people if I recall correctly.
NHL players get suspended for hurting each other on the ice, a far less "crime" in my eyes than what Mr Bell did.
The suspension was completely justified and in my view an example of Gary Bettman (via Bill Daly) getting something right for a change.
Do not forget in all of this that Mr Bell is a CRIMINAL.
RBP
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The suspension should have been 82 games.
The suspension was reduced to 15 games becasue of his behaviour over the past year which has been good from all accounts.
He left the scene of an accident where he was drunk and he also injured people if I recall correctly.
NHL players get suspended for hurting each other on the ice, a far less "crime" in my eyes than what Mr Bell did.
The suspension was completely justified and in my view an example of Gary Bettman (via Bill Daly) getting something right for a change.
Do not forget in all of this that Mr Bell is a CRIMINAL.
RBP
# posted by 
: 7:45 AM, September 14, 2007
: 7:45 AM, September 14, 2007Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
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