Preferential impeachment
Handegg is slow to punish its bad actors, especially when they're superstars
Yesterday it was announced that Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson had settled 20 civil lawsuits filed against him in the wake of sexual assault allegations. Four lawsuits remain, and we don’t know yet if they will get settled.
We’ve seen this movie before and know how it’ll probably end. The last couple of cases involving an NFL star player and similar bad behaviour, the league conducted year-long investigations before suspending Jameis Winston (three games) and Ezekiel Elliott (six games). The league just concluded its investigation of Watson two weeks ago, after almost sixteen months. No official suspension has been levied on him by the league or his club.
In the intervening time, the Houston Texans have washed their hands of Watson, who had already requested a trade in the 2021 offseason. The Texans were reluctant to honour his request, but then the lawsuits began, and the Texans shipped him out in exchange for five high draft picks. He’s no longer the Texans’ problem. And the Browns, knowing fully that Watson was being sued and under investigation by the league, signed him to a fully guaranteed five-year, $230MM extension.
With respect to domestic violence and sexual assault cases, the four major leagues in North America have moved very slowly to show that they take these offenses seriously. Until recently, a positive test for steroids warranted a longer suspension than a domestic violence arrest in MLB. At least baseball now places the player on (paid) administrative leave immediately when these incidents become known, though cynically this feels more like the league saying “we’re making you sit out because you’re bad press and a distraction to the team” as opposed to “you did a bad thing and we don’t want it in this game.” Progress, if only as slow as Albert Pujols trying to beat out a double play grounder.
We’d think the leagues would act more swiftly and decisively so as not to alienate their fans, many of which hate domestic violence and sexual assault. Even more cynically, we’d think the leagues would act more swiftly and decisively so as not to alienate their corporate partners and sponsors. It’s a sobering reminder that the leagues will only do the right thing if it’s financially convenient (whether augmenting profit or reducing risk), because ultimately — and we’ve said it before — it’s a business.
— JY
#connsecutivesmythe
Newly minted NHL MVP Auston Matthews has now led the league in goals in consecutive seasons. Alexander Ovechkin was the last player to do this. Who were the last two players to do it before Ovechkin?
Who was the last quarterback not named Drew Brees to lead the NFL in passing yards in consecutive years?
Dennis Rodman led the NBA in rebounds per game for seven straight seasons between 1990-91 and 1997-98. Name the three players who have led the league in rebounds per game in at least three consecutive seasons since The Worm’s reign of terror ended.
Name the last American-born player to lead the AL in RBIs in consecutive seasons and the last non-American player to lead the NL in RBIs in consecutive seasons.
Answers from last week’s issue
The all-time hits leader among players born in Nebraska and the only Major Leaguer born on June 15 to reach 3,000 hits, what player, to the best of our knowledge, is the only pro baseballer to appear on all three of Good Mythical Morning, Psych, and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia?
The very much alive Wade Boggs appeared in all three shows, as well as The Simpsons (“Pitt the Elder!”) and New England-based shows Cheers and Family Guy.
The all-time receiving yards leader among NFL players born on June 15, what player is the only wide receiver to receive an MVP vote since Randy Moss in 1998?
This past season, Cooper Kupp (try saying that ten times fast) received only one MVP vote, finishing behind both Aaron Rodgers (who won) and Tom Brady for that honour despite finishing well ahead of both of them in voting for Offensive Player of the Year because NFL awards voting is weird and dumb.
Among players who finished this past NBA regular season in the top 20 in total assists, only five have won championships. Of those five players, only two have played for more than one NBA team. Name them both.
Kyle Lowry (11th in assists this season) and Jrue Holiday (13th) are the two players who made the top 20, won a ring, and played for multiple teams. (The other three, i.e., the ones who had not played for multiple teams: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Steph Curry, and Fred VanVleet.)
Born on this day in 1969, what former NHLer (who scored only 107 points) has been awarded the Order of Canada, the Order of Manitoba, the Alberta Order of Excellence, the Order of Hockey in Canada, and honorary doctorates from the University of Calgary and the University of Fraser Valley due to his post-career activism and advocacy?
Sheldon Kennedy, who went public with sexual assault accusations against Graham James and, in so doing, became a prominent activist leading conversations and encouraging public dialogue about sexual abuse, turned 53 last Wednesday.
#postscript
RIP Ravens legend Tony Siragusa, Jaylon Ferguson and Caleb Swanigan.
Many thanks to Conn Smythe for being named his name and to you for being named your name, unless your name is Doug Eddings because let’s face it, this strike zone does not even play in a beer league softball game.
Until next week, be the Ezequiel Carrera you wish to see in the world.
— DJ/JY