Pros and Cons: The Criminals Who Play in the NFL | 
|  | | | Title: | Pros and Cons: The Criminals Who Play in the NFL | | Author: | Jeff Benedict
Don Yaeger | | Publisher: | Grand Central Publishing | | Type: | Book / Mass Market Paperback | | Publication Date: | 01 October, 1999 | | ISBN / ISBN-13: | 0446607479 / 9780446607476 | | List Price: | $7.99 | | You Save: | $2.99 | | Amazon Price: | $5.00 (via Amazon marketplace seller) | | | |
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Product Description
Startling in its breadth, Benedict and Yaeger's investigation into the off-the-field violence and criminal behavior that pervades the culture of professional football is as eye opening as it is disturbing. That these guys get into trouble is nothing new, but when their offenses are collected in one place--with mug shots, court records, police reports, and interviews with arresting officers--the effect is as surreal as the statistics: 21 percent of the NFL's players have been charged with a serious crime.How serious? The docket begins with assault, rape, and domestic violence and keeps spiraling out of control. These are not just blind allegations; the authors name names and match felonies to players. Some of the better-known examples: Cornelius Bennett--rape and sexual assault; Cortez Kennedy--domestic violence; Michael Irvin--cocaine and marijuana possession; Nate Newton--sexual assault; Warren Moon--domestic violence; Jake Plummer--sexual abuse; Andre Rison--aggravated assault; Bruce Smith--driving under the influence; and Deion Sanders--aggravated assault, disorderly convict, trespassing, and battery.Yet, as disturbing as the names and numbers are, Benedict and Yaeger's contention, backed by exhaustive research, is even worse: the league pretty much looks away, tacitly condoning the havoc caused by these overpaid, coddled men-children, whose very propensity for unchecked mayhem fills stadiums on Sunday. But, then, in the NFL's view of things, football is the law. Make no mistake about Pros and Cons though; as sensational as much of it is, this is a serious work with serious footnotes compiled by serious journalists, who, in the end, do something the game's establishment has avoided: they offer a detailed "Game Plan" for addressing the issues they raise. It begins with respecting law and imposing order. --Jeff Silverman
Amazon.com Review
Startling in its breadth, Benedict and Yaeger's investigation into the off-the-field violence and criminal behavior that pervades the culture of professional football is as eye opening as it is disturbing. That these guys get into trouble is nothing new, but when their offenses are collected in one place--with mug shots, court records, police reports, and interviews with arresting officers--the effect is as surreal as the statistics: 21 percent of the NFL's players have been charged with a serious crime. How serious? The docket begins with assault, rape, and domestic violence and keeps spiraling out of control. These are not just blind allegations; the authors name names and match felonies to players. Some of the better-known examples: Cornelius Bennett--rape and sexual assault; Cortez Kennedy--domestic violence; Michael Irvin--cocaine and marijuana possession; Nate Newton--sexual assault; Warren Moon--domestic violence; Jake Plummer--sexual abuse; Andre Rison--aggravated assault; Bruce Smith--driving under the influence; and Deion Sanders--aggravated assault, disorderly convict, trespassing, and battery. Yet, as disturbing as the names and numbers are, Benedict and Yaeger's contention, backed by exhaustive research, is even worse: the league pretty much looks away, tacitly condoning the havoc caused by these overpaid, coddled men-children, whose very propensity for unchecked mayhem fills stadiums on Sunday. But, then, in the NFL's view of things, football is the law. Make no mistake about Pros and Cons though; as sensational as much of it is, this is a serious work with serious footnotes compiled by serious journalists, who, in the end, do something the game's establishment has avoided: they offer a detailed "Game Plan" for addressing the issues they raise. It begins with respecting law and imposing order. --Jeff Silverman
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Customer Reviews:
• Go Ask Nancy? 26 January, 2001
Although the authors' statistical methodology may not be perfect, the anecdotal material is hard-hitting. We are not talking mischievous hijinx here. This is some serious stuff. Why is this going on? Why isn't the NFL doing anything? Here are some excerpts: A featured player's PR guy says: "But he's not any different than a lot of the other guys. He's a highly emotional kind of person, like a lot of ballplayers. You don't become a professional football player without a high level of testosterone running through your body."[p. 38]The counselor whom the Cleveland Browns asked to counsel an alleged abuser and his fiance told her: "This is [his] lifestyle. He goes out every week and has to basically try to punish people on the field. He'll go after them and try to kill them. A lot of times he can't relate to coming home and not doing that to you when he's upset." [p. 153-154]Rev. Jesse Jackson says: "By and large, we are seeing the end result of a long line of exploitation... Men being used who come out of very desperate straits, having extraordinary, exploitable, commercial talent. They are put on a pedestal in high school, removed from the earth and its responsibilities. Then they are recruited by the top colleges ... and study less difficult subject matter because they are actually working [for the universities.] These guys have been exploited from the time it was obvious they could jump higher and run faster. Athletes of stature don't walk on the ground and are allowed to play by different rules. Once their use is gone, they are no longer protected. But while they are playing ball, much of their behavior is cushioned. They are insulated from regular rules, attending classes, adhering to regular socializing processes." [p. 170]So what's the solution? One would be tempted to try to dissuade one's children from idolizing some of the poor role models in the NFL for a kinder, gentler sport like figure skating. But then there's Tonya Harding.
- Reviewed by customer ID: A28GEIVP5KQMZU
• Faulty Research? 16 December, 2008
I agree with the reviewer who said that the pool of athletes these statistics are derived from is too small. Culture and ethnicity are also factors given little scruitiny in the author's methodology.
- Reviewed by customer ID: A6I74HKPIX116
• Biased And Imbalanced 14 September, 2004
Having read a few books by Mr. Benedict, I am beginning to question his motives. Is he writing for shock value, or is there a darker agenda hidden here? Questionable statistics, and even more questionable conclusions. Singling out a group of men, using anecdotal evidence, and drawing broad conclusions about the group as a whole is somewhat frightening in my opinion. A shameless attack on NFL players that simply promotes prejudice without any enlightening social content in evidence. Pathetic!
- Reviewed by customer ID: A1IH8T7F8GGOD6
• A Very Disturbing Book... 08 August, 2000
NFL fans beware, this book will shake you to your boots. We've all heard the occasional stories in the press of an NFL player being arrested for this or that, or someone serving time for an offense, but Benedict and Yaeger make a compelling case for much more widespread criminal problems in the league. This book is meticulously documented and brutally direct in accusing the NFL of cow-towing to the bottom line in its circle-the-wagons mentality.
- Reviewed by customer ID: A1UORGGRUE5Z52
• Bruising But Imbalanced Tale From Nfl Athletes' Dossiers 24 August, 2000
Benedict and Yeager describe a vast array of criminal patterns of dozens of current and former NFL players -- including some hideous and barbaric acts for which certain players suffered far too little (if any!) jail time. Because of the variety and brutality of the crimes described, more than the quality of the writing itself, the book is riveting reading; although there is a strongly sensationalistic, tabloid-style undercurrent to the whole piece which may repulse more careful readers. I finished this book with three outstanding impressions: 1) Far too little attention is given to the successful redemption of specific players who have stopped their criminal ways and become solid, admirable citizens (e.g., "Hollywood" Henderson or Cris Carter); 2) The writes make a convincing argument that the pampering which star players recieve in late childhood immunizes them (in their minds) from consequences for their actions; and 3) The authors clearly intended to be shocking at least as much for their own fame and fortune as for any noble social reform. After all, these criminal records are public, and were already well documented in the popular sports media.Serious football fans and sociologists alike should read this book to learn of a surprisingly sinister element that is liberally sprinkled among Sunday's heroes. But while reading, cast a healthy dose of skepticism at the intent of the writers.
- Reviewed by customer ID: A1UUB1JGH1I4LS
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