Keller @ Large: Will Goodell Investigate Jets Harassment?
BOSTON (CBS) - The New York Times had an interesting story Sunday about about former New York Jets defensive end Ikemefuna Enemkpali, who broke the jaw of Jets quarterback Geno Smith in a locker room altercation last week.
Enemkpali turns out to be a good guy who apparently just lost his temper after Smith reneged without apology on a commitment to appear at a camp for kids, embarrassing Enemkpali and sticking him with the loss of hundreds of dollars in expenses.
No justification for punching someone, but provocation nonetheless.
And according to the Times, not the only source of provocation.
"The longer Smith went without paying, the more disrespected Enemkpali felt, friends said. It became a joke among some players on the Jets, who would ask Enemkpali if Smith had paid him back yet."
Really? What a great bunch of guys in that Jets locker room.
This was not a rookie hazing ritual – Enemkpali is a second-year player. And if anyone should have been razzed about this by these overgrown toddlers, you'd think it would be the welcher, not his victim.
The whole incident sounds pretty ugly and raises some important issues about honesty and NFL culture.
So we can all rest easy knowing that any moment now, Commissioner Roger Goodell and company will launch a full-scale investigation of the matter and what sort of other harassment the Jets tolerate, consistent with the league commitment to high moral standards.
Yep, any minute now.
Right?
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