Jones says he will appeal season-long suspension Jones says he will appeal season-long suspension By TERESA M. WALKER, AP Sports Writer April 14, 2007 http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ap-pacmanappeal&prov=ap&type=lgns NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Titans cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones said Friday night he will appeal his season-long suspension and thinks NFL commissioner Roger Goodell made him the league's poster boy for disciplining players. Jones has not talked to reporters since the suspension for conduct detrimental to the NFL was announced Tuesday. Jones' attorneys had said they were discussing his options and have not returned telephone messages since Tuesday. But Jones was in Tunica, Miss., and he talked to an ESPN reporter while at "Friday Night Fights" about being suspended -- without pay -- for the 2007 season. His case will be reviewed after the Titans' 10th game, leaving the chance for a return. "I think it was a little bit harsh," Jones said. "I expected the suspension, but for a whole year for a guy that hadn't been charged with nothing? I really didn't agree with it. But for the most part, I'm taking it like a man. I'm going to appeal it. We'll see what the future brings." Any appeal would be heard and decided by Goodell. Cincinnati receiver Chris Henry, a teammate of Jones at West Virginia, also was suspended. But Henry received an eight-game ban. Jones, the sixth pick overall in the 2005 draft and the first defensive player taken that year, has talked with police 10 times since being drafted, and arrested five times. He has not been convicted of any charge since being drafted. But Las Vegas police want to charge Jones for inciting a strip club fight Feb. 19 that led to a triple shooting. Jones also did not inform the Titans of two arrests in Georgia last year, and a felony obstruction charge for allegedly biting a Fayetteville, Ga., police officer was delayed until May. Asked if he was being used as an example with the severe punishment, Jones agreed. "Clearly you know for a guy that hadn't been charged, I'm clearly made to be the poster boy," Jones said. Jones said his teammates have been calling him every day since news of the suspension. He said defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch has been a close friend over the past few days. "What I'm going to do, I'm going to work out every day and make sure I'm in top-tip shape. But come Week 11, I plan on being back on the field," Jones told ESPN. Titans owner Bud Adams said Tuesday they weren't sure they want Jones back unless he changes his behavior and avoids controversy off the field.
Update Pacman Jones drops appeal Titans cornerback will serve one-year NFL suspension Posted: Tuesday June 12, 2007 12:37PM; Updated: Tuesday June 12, 2007 12:43PM http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/football/nfl/06/12/bc.fbn.pacmansuspension.ap/index.html NEW YORK (AP) -- Tennessee Titans cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones withdrew the appeal of his suspension Tuesday and will serve the one-year term imposed by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. "I understand my responsibilities to my teammates, the Titans and my fans and I am committed to turning my life around and being a positive member of the NFL," Jones said in a statement issued by his agent. Jones met with Goodell at NFL headquarters Tuesday and was accompanied to New York by agent Michael Huyghue. "Last week, I asked for an opportunity to meet privately with commissioner Goodell," Jones said in the statement. "I met with him earlier today to tell him about the steps I have taken to change my life since being suspended by the NFL. I accept the discipline that's been imposed on me and I am withdrawing my appeal." Goodell suspended Jones on April 10 for a series of off-field episodes. He has been interviewed by police 10 times and been arrested five times since he was drafted in 2005. Jones and his attorneys appealed the suspension May 11. It could be reduced to 10 games if Jones meets all the restrictions set by Goodell. Huyghue said Jones intended to keep working out and would go back to school, taking courses online from West Virginia University, where he played.
