the conduct policy was changed a couple of years ago and the commissioner has a much wider scope to punish with than a team does.
Of course it's unprecedented but it sends a clear message to these players that if they want to play and make their money, they have to play by the leagues rules. Goodell clearly said that his handing down of the suspension was not because he didn't think that Ben should have been charged or that he was charged or convicted, but that his actions have caused serious harm to the league, the owners and the team. He also went on to say that he hopes Ben uses this suspension as a spring board to get his life straight and his career back on track.
---------- Post added at 03:40 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:31 PM ----------
and in case you haven't read the statements, here they are
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/pdf/2...case_files.pdf