Lewis Pleads Guilty to Drug Charges; What Suspension is Appropriate? I normally stay away from criminal law news, as it is not really sports-specific. Just because a person who beats his wife or cheats on his taxes happens to be an athlete does not make it sports law news. But the case of Jamal Lewis raises an interesting question regarding leagues and the way in which they discipline their players.



Earlier this week, Ravens running back Jamal Lewis pleaded guilty to using a cell phone to broker a cocaine deal and was sentenced to four months in jail, plus two months in a halfway-house. But under the terms of the deal, Lewis will serve his jail time in the offseason. The NFL responded to this proceeding and announced it will suspend Lewis for 2 games.



Wait. 2 games? For pleading guilty to a drug offense? The NFL routinely suspends players 4 games for testing positive for marijuana, in offenses that often bring no criminal sanction and no jail time. Does this add up?



Perhaps one key distinction is the fact that Lewis's criminal activity occurred four years ago, in the summer before he began his NFL career. But at the time Lewis committed the act, he had been signed by the Ravens and was headed towards NFL training camp. So, he was an NFL player. Does the four years that have gone by make a difference? I would hope that this is not the difference, but one would have to imagine that if a player was arrested and convicted of the same crime today, the amount of the suspension would be higher. Did Lewis get a slap on the wrist because he is a star? Again, not something that looks good for the NFL.



All of these curiosities lead to the big question: what is the purpose of NFL sanctions? Obviously, a player suspended for steroid use has gained an unfair advantage and attempted to defraud the game, infractions that deserve heavy sanctions. But what Lewis did, and what Ricky Williams (allegedly) smoked, did not have any impact on the game of football. So, the purpose is not solely to protect the equality of competition.



The NFL is also concerned with the image of the game. The league knows its players are role models and wants to send a message to everyone: break the law and you will not go unpunished. This is why marijuana can draw a suspension, or a criminal infraction that produces only a suspended sentence.



But, with the Lewis suspension, the league seems to have shown where its priorities lie. Break one of our rules -- a harsher punishment will follow. Break the law and only a "show" punishment will you receive. Perhaps this is right; perhaps the league should be more concerned about infractions that will impact the actual game. But, on the other hand, maybe the NFL should pay more attention to the message such a short suspension is sending to the young fans that idolize Lewis and other NFL players.

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