Curious Timing With NFL
February 19th, 2018
What’s going on?
This is starting to get very suspicious.
Lost in Bucs fans dreaming of Le’Veon Bell or Bradley Chubb in recent days was the news that Marty Hurney, the interim general manager of the Stinking Panthers, was reinstated by the team after the NFL completed its investigation of Hurney and gave him a green light.
Hurney is going through an ugly divorce and an allegation of domestic violence surfaced when Hurney’s estranged wife tried to get a restraining order slapped on Hurney. This prompted the NFL to launch an investigation. Hurney was placed on leave Feb. 4, roughly two weeks ago.
In a release from the NFL obtained by Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, part of the NFL’s investigation included “interviews of multiple persons including Mr. Hurney.”
So, what does this have to do with the Bucs?
Consider that on Nov. 17, Buzzfeed.com reported the NFL launched an investigation targeting America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, after learning an Uber driver claimed Jameis grabbed her in a private area in 2016.
Yet at Super Bowl Opening Night, the Monday prior to the Super Bowl, Joe spoke with Eagles corner Ronald Darby, who claimed in November he was a passenger in the Uber vehicle in which Jameis is alleged to have committed this lewd act. Darby told Joe the NFL had yet to speak with him about the incident.
On Friday, we learned from Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times that Jameis has yet to be interviewed.
So let Joe get this straight: The NFL, in a span of roughly two weeks, launched an investigation into a general manager, interviewed folks close to Hurney as well as Hurney himself, and rendered a judgment, yet three months have passed and two of the three key parties in the Jameis/Uber issue have yet to be interviewed by any of the NFL’s goons?
What the hell is going on here?
If Joe didn’t know any better, it sure seems like the NFL is purposely dragging its feet on this Jameis investigation with the end game being Jameis gets suspended in the middle of the 2018 season.
How exactly can the NFL conduct, complete and close the books on an investigation in about two weeks, and apparently do little if anything about an open investigation that began three months ago?
Something smells really fishy here.
Or does this suggest that Jerry Richardson has more pull with NFL strongman Roger Goodell than Team Glazer does?
February 19th, 2018 at 8:09 am
Bruno Mars has more pull with NFL than glaze rs.
February 19th, 2018 at 8:15 am
Upper management getting a better shake than the workers?!
Say it aint so Joe.
February 19th, 2018 at 8:15 am
Didn’t Richardson have sexual assault allegations and put team for sale?
February 19th, 2018 at 8:21 am
Maybe the guy that grabbed her crotch is someone everyone is trying to protect. Maybe they got her statement and know it’s a complete lie by now. There’s heartfelt any news going on and the NFL could immediately create buzz just by mentioning this so hopeful they already realize nothing is there.
NFL writes whatever they want and never retracts or apologizes so if he is innocent I don’t expect anyone to say it, they’ll just leery the story disappear
February 19th, 2018 at 8:26 am
[Sorry, this has nothing to do whatsoever with the subject at hand. Not cool to hijack a thread. — Joe]
February 19th, 2018 at 8:48 am
Maybe I’m wrong, but a general manager is an employee of the team. Unlike players who have a union with a collective bargaining agreement with the league which includes the player conduct code and penalty guidelines for suspensions. I don’t think the league really had any business getting involved with the Gms case as realistically they have no authority to discipline him. Essentially, his case would be the same as a grounds crew member Or a ticket sales rep.
February 19th, 2018 at 8:48 am
Think Wrestling, It’s all about the story and story line. Good or bad its still publicity.
February 19th, 2018 at 8:49 am
Joe, a better response would be “noted but removed to not diviate the discussion”. I’m just a long time reader making a suggestion for content.
February 19th, 2018 at 8:51 am
Yep having a GM in place during the month of February to prepare for free agency and the draft is more important than investigating a groping incident. If it’s that much of an issue for the team then prepare for worse case scenario until they hear otherwise.
February 19th, 2018 at 8:58 am
You interviewed the wrong darby thats his twin, you need to talk to ronald
February 19th, 2018 at 9:07 am
Actually, there is nothing fishy about this at all; just perhaps frustrating. The GM is supervising people 24/7 and JW is in the offseason, and not supervising anyone. One is domestic abuse…violence, and the other (groping) would be classified at sexeal abuse, which is a Class 5 non-violent felony in Arizona. Were it actual Ray Rice type stuff, it would be much more urgent. Next, as I mentioned before, whether or not the girl brings a lawsuit before the two year limitations is up next month really provides insight to the investigation on JW. Finally, while I doubt this, I’d not be surprised the power hungry commish would hold off on announcing there is no evidence/and or reason to supsend JW or look further because perhaps in his mind, he’d not want to send a signal to all the players roaming around at 2am that one can do what JW is accused of and it’s okay.
A lot of folks don’t seem to see the importance in these two items: Does the two year point go by with no suit filed, and who was the third guy in the car. Get past both of those where it is found there is a third person, and JW’s story holds up. But don’t think for a minute that Goodell needs court-of-law style evidence suspend JW. Also, as I said, the NFL will put JW under oath at some point. If he doesn’t tell them who he third guy it, it’s similar to Tom Brady destroying his cell phone–not cooperating, or even countermining an investigation.
February 19th, 2018 at 9:07 am
LOL Dusthty.
Joe, its Ron Darby – not Robert…
February 19th, 2018 at 9:09 am
This may be completely unlikely but maybe her claims were unsubstantiated and the NFL deemed it not worthy to conduct a full investigation.
February 19th, 2018 at 9:16 am
Joe
This all makes perfect senses. …….
The NFL is waiting until full swing of the 2018 season because it’s BETTER for drama!!!!!!!
Sure……let’s wait….screw the Bucs and gain national media attention all at the same time!
You gotta love the NFL and their stupidity. ……
……that’s why I didn’t really care the watch the NFL last year cause of all their BS…….
February 19th, 2018 at 9:29 am
It’s as bad as our legal system.
February 19th, 2018 at 9:30 am
Roy says:
“don’t think for a minute that Goodell needs court-of-law style evidence suspend JW. Also, as I said, the NFL will put JW under oath at some point. If he doesn’t tell them…”
If King Goodell suspends Jameis with no evidence – he opens himself and the league up to one hell of a lawsuit.
And under what circumstance do you believe the NFL has the authority to put Winston or anyone for that matter “under oath”???
The NFL has nowhere to go with this “investigation”.
No formal accusation – no law enforcement involvement – no official report or investigation – no charges – no evidence – no nothing!
The whole thing is bullsh!t. There is nothing here. The event in question happened 2 years ago. Even if someone DID put their hand on this drivers crotch momentarily, there’s no way to prove it or prove who might have done it with Winston and Darby both claiming multiple people in the car and that Winston didn’t do it.
This “me too” movement involving claims from distant past – especially those that do not involve actual sexual assault has gotten way out of control.
February 19th, 2018 at 9:33 am
A GM is more important to teams than any player. Especially with free agency coming. Of course he got priority.
Like i said the other day. The nfl has other investigations besides ours. We have to wait our turn.
February 19th, 2018 at 9:45 am
Winston will be the buzz headline for the offseason once free agency and the draft have passed……The NFL owes Winston or the Bucs no favors….Winston was the one that didn’t report the issue.
February 19th, 2018 at 9:49 am
Jameis said there were 3 people in the car.
The Uber Driver said he was alone. Said he was drunk, shouting racist/Sexist things out the window.
Said they went thru a fast food drive thru.
I wonder if they have interviewed the staff of the restaurant, and possibly any security video. Drive thrus are often video taped. Plus a drunken NFL QB- hollering out the window, tends to be memorable.
One person in the Car, and The Jameis credibility is lost.
Im sure that is where they would start their investigation. Siing if the alleged victim story can be corroborated.
I really hope the drive thru person at MacDonalds testifies that there were 4 people in that car. Jameis got crucified in the Media at FSU. He really doesnt want that crap following him to the NFL. If he really did crotch grab this driver- then no one will trust his judgement and decision making again.
February 19th, 2018 at 9:50 am
There is a lot of speculation here with no facts!!!! Until more news is released, some should not fear the worst or make up unsubstantiated facts!!!!!!!! At this point the only thing we do know is that our QB is no H0M0!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Go bucs!!!!!!!!!!!
February 19th, 2018 at 9:51 am
LOL….the bucs aren’t media darlings….lol…the nfl could care less….the nfl aint trying to screw the bucs because they know we’ll screw ourselves….lol…
the bucs should be pro active in this situation and should be trying to gather evidence supporting winstons claim….
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!
February 19th, 2018 at 10:01 am
A good investigator will get all their ducks in a row before talking to the target of the investigation.
They have her statement, and they are likely trying to see if their is any evidence either corroborating or disputing her account. Then when they talk to Jameis they can see if he is being truthful based upon what they found.
Its only February, season doesn’t start till September.
February 19th, 2018 at 10:06 am
@Roy
You’ve written some of the best stuff on this topic. I think your point yesterday about statute of limitations made a lot of sense. If it is two years they could be waiting to see if a lawsuit is filed. NO lawsuit then there aren’t even “charges” just preliminary allegations.
There is no ratting or potential protecting of friends in this story. Either Jameis or somebody was ALONE in the car with her…or there were three guys counting Jameis.
If there is no lawsuit then it’s just in the court of public opinion and the good news for Buc fans is that EVERYBODY involved starting with Jameis, the Bucs and the NFL just want to let the story die a quiet death.
Two thoughts that have been expressed here by others as well. No matter his innocence the Bucs need to call Jameis aside and jerk a knot in his tail. He’s a multimillionaire…do not go out partying with protection and I’m not talking condoms but bodyguards. They’re not that expensive and they not only protect Jameis from golddiggers but from punk guys who want to make a rep taking down a 6-5 NFL player. I’ve known of professional boxers who never traveled with bodyguards even though they could easily defend themselves physically. Who needs the aggravation and legal liability?
Second is Joe’s point about the timing. More than anything that is what has disturbed me about this entire story. Let’s be honest. The girl is the ONLY party involved along with Uber who responded in a timely fashion.
I’m not an attorney so as Roy pointed out perhaps Jameis “team” is waiting till the statute of limitations pass and they without the legal liability everybody…Jameis…Bucs…can respond. I obviously do not know what’s going on but at some point I would like some closure!
February 19th, 2018 at 10:07 am
Boxers “never” traveling.
February 19th, 2018 at 10:07 am
Pickgrin, actually, Goodell doesn’t need evidence as we’ve seen, and I agree that is BS, but that’s the CBA provisions about player conduct for you, same as for investigating player conduct…I cannot imagine sworn statements would not be required for the matter being investigated. That said, I would not expect for the NFL to take any action against one of their players unless a sworn statement is also sent to the NFL by the Uber driver, absent any other evidence and absent a civil suit being filed. Such provisions are not uncommon in CBAs, as they protect employees from each other, and from those who would be harmed by those outside the organization (like Uber drivers). In some, it will note employees players may be required to make sworn statements and even state the consequences if the employee refuses. You can be sure the Office of the General Counsel, NFL, would likely ensure something is in the CBA for that purpose. I haven’t read it myself. But if convenience stores and department stores and police forces do it, certainly the NFL would.
February 19th, 2018 at 10:12 am
Pickgrin Says
“If King Goodell suspends Jameis with no evidence – he opens himself and the league up to one hell of a lawsuit.”
He actually has been sued for this…and HE won. It was ruled that he had the right to do what he did as commissioner. He has absolute power, limited only by a majority vote of the owners.
February 19th, 2018 at 10:22 am
StPeteBucs…good points on all.
Someone is lying here, not on one point, but on two. Number of people and what was done. Even without a law suit, I think the NFL will want to get the facts, especially on people involved. If the NFL believes at all that “something” happened, even if just a five second hand being held over clothes (which is a crime), they are going to want to know who did what. Worse for the NFL is they drop it and in one, two, three years it’s found to be another NFL player who gets in trouble doing something same/similar. Don’t forget about Goodell and his shield.
You bring up a good point…the timely response by the driver and Uber with nothing being done by Winston and some awkward statements when it came out does raise eyebrows. The biggest blowback to this isn’t so much who did or did not do the groping, it’s if Jameis lied, and no one knows that except who was in the car. Again, I hope JW is being truthful.
I am betting we’ll see it either closed with no wrongdoing found by JW or any other NFL players about late June, early July, or we won’t hear anything publicly and about August he gets 4-6 games.
My expectations this year for the Bucs (and Rays, for that matter) are zilch, sad to say. Maybe reverse thinking…and the Bucs will do great with JW starting all 16 games.
February 19th, 2018 at 10:32 am
Bonzai…will be interesting to see how the CBA gets re-done. I’d bet the players association went for Goodell having so much power because one would expect he’d be loathe to bring the issues out into the open and pretty much turn a blind eye to stuff as guys in the past have. Keep stuff out of courts, out of the headlines. Guess lots of folks were wrong…Goodell seems intent to clean it up, even if it’s all by himself. So I’d not be suprised for the next CBA to spread Goodell’s power over a board and not just one guy (making it harder to discipline a player), but I’m thinking the owners are at the same time going to want to see higher player conduct standards being published in return.
February 19th, 2018 at 10:54 am
The NFL hasn’t investigated yet because they’re not going to. There’s nothing “fishy”.
February 19th, 2018 at 10:57 am
Buc Realist….too funny! (on what we know about Jameis)
February 19th, 2018 at 11:09 am
Exactly @Joel. It is possible that nothing comes of this. I’m sure the NFL hears hundreds of these claims without investigating because there’s nothing there. Think that’s the biggest problem with the movement to protect women now. People want to immediately assume the worst. We don’t know anything really.
February 19th, 2018 at 11:13 am
This is all about the attorneys represented the “injured” party. Just like the case at Fla St. Hurney wasn’t getting held up for a settlement out of court. That is where this is going.
February 19th, 2018 at 11:23 am
At this point the only thing we do know is that our QB is no H0M0!!!!!!!!!
———–
More than you can say about these darn posters. Smh.
February 19th, 2018 at 11:32 am
StPeteBucsFan Says:
February 17th, 2018 at 12:47 pm
BTW
If you’re suggesting that the 3rd guy in the car would be a rat or that Fameis would be the rat that’s crap…
———————-
You the rat!!!!! You and joe can’t stop with this!!!! Now not only are you going to bring up Uber on every jw article but NOW you going to mention Uber anytime anyone else is being investigated too??????? JC help me Jezuus.
February 19th, 2018 at 11:33 am
DB55
Great positive comment. So when you’re not calling us sheep or some other pejorative you call us gay?
February 19th, 2018 at 11:37 am
BTW guys I do not get the need to gay bash.
I used to work in Greenville SC as a morning radio guy. Our Program Director was gay. I was confident enough in my masculinity and gender ID to actually go on three day ski trips to Beech Mountain. It actually was a joke between us. He knew how I rolled…I knew how he rolled. We’d be riding the chair lift and I’d point out any hot snow bunnies I saw checking out chicks…he would point out hot guys.
In Greenville I did some community theater. I confess one of the draws for me was during all the rehearsals the majority of males in the cast were gay which left the chicks totally available for we straight guys.
If you feel threatened by gays it’s time to look in the mirror and start worrying. LOL
February 19th, 2018 at 11:40 am
I really think the Uber Driver’s story is Fake News. Even though Jameis was accused of sexual assault at FSU, there wasn’t really any hard evidence to backup the accuser’s story. The same kinda goes with the Uber story. There’s just testimony, not any samples of any kind to be sent to a crime lab like what’s shown in Forensic Files. I really wish the NFL had requested significant proof of any wrongdoing before acting like wanna-be cops, and start endangering a player’s career. They had hard evidence when Ray Rice got caught on Camera hitting a woman in a Elevator, and Le’veon Bell got busted for missing drug tests. Johnny Manziel, well… the name says it all about what that guy did. In my honest opinion, Jameis has unfortunately met some women who are money-hungry, and their simply trying to steal cash from his wallet.
February 19th, 2018 at 11:43 am
“I just realized only today The Buc Realist has a sense of humor”
Kobe Faker
February 19th, 2018 at 11:43 am
We just heard of the Carolina exec’s investigation wrapped up quickly.
Can someone name the instance where “King” Goodell suspended someone who was not guilty?
Zeke was found by investigation and legal reports to have abused women three times.
Brady was guilty. Again perhaps too much punishment for the crime but he wasn’t innocent.
Ray Rice obvious. I get why the players are upset with Goodell’s power and the implications of the CBA. But again who has he suspended who was innocent?
February 19th, 2018 at 11:57 am
well now we know why you like gmc so much. 😙😉🙃 🌈
February 19th, 2018 at 12:26 pm
You know I have read so many of some of you all’s responses/attitude about this alleged groping and wonder to myself how many of you would still be so nonchalant and uncaring about the alleged victim, if she was your sister, mother, aunt, etc, etc, etc. Just some food for thought that has nothing to do with happens between the hash marks, but actual REAL life. Remember at the end of the day it’s just a stupid game, not life. I’m not saying he’s guilty and I’m not saying he’s innocent. All I’m saying is don’t be so quick to dismiss it. Because I care more about a woman allegedly being sexually assaulted, then I do my team’s record/success on the field.
February 19th, 2018 at 12:29 pm
Roy t Buford ,,,,You need to share what you are on !!!
Any investigation that may affect,Free Agency,The Draft, NFL tv schedules,Attendance,NFL marketing,Season Ticket Sales etc etc ….it goes on forever !!! Well it for numerous reasons must ,absoulutely must be handled in a prudent responsive manner !!! Roger Goodel and staff have a fiduciary obligation that they abuse all the time and this is just another example.
The Glazers are just passive people and aren’t demanding what needs to happen !!! If their accountant and attny told them this could cost them at least 350 million dollars of team value they may wake up.Maybe More !!!
February 19th, 2018 at 2:28 pm
With all due respect I think some of our older posters may be a bit detached from reality. If you only knew what goes on in Uber rides at 3am at the clubs. Don’t be fooled people drive at those hours and in those locations for multi reasons money being but one.
Whether it happened or not is not my focus and the nfl should definitely do their due diligence BUT the fact that jw own fan base keeps calling for a suspension when the league doesn’t even seem to care is simply outrageous to me. That’s my beef. I don’t understand how your own supporters take every opportunity possible to call for your suspension.
And based on this articles it seems as though it can’t happen soon enough. That’s my beef.
February 19th, 2018 at 2:39 pm
Spbf
Just to give you some perspectives on what late night unerring can be like. And if you research you’ll find that in most cases the Uber driver is the antagonist.
I’m not referring to jw situation specifically I’m just enlightening you on the realities of 2018. Uber is NOT yellow cab like you might remember it. Uber is a whole different animal.
http://www.worldstarhiphop.com/videos/video.php?v=wshhyI1U94McSUY8dZFs
February 19th, 2018 at 3:17 pm
DB55
You clearly do not understand the fallacy that exists from comparing the singular to the group.
IE…it’s estimated that roughly 2-10 % of rape charges are false. Let’s go with the high number and all be disturbed that 10% of the guys got railroaded. It doesn’t negate the 90% who didn’t and the two numbers have very little to do with each other when considering a specific incident.
And so I wouldn’t begin to argue with you about how many Uber drivers are bad people and how many are nice…I’ve never used Uber…my son in Columbus uses them ALL the time….anytime he has a mixed drink or two beers because of his career..DUI it’s over….But let’s give you the benefit of the doubt.
It really doesn’t matter how many Uber drivers are liars…nor how many athletes HAVE been convicted and behave like privileged entitled jerks. The first doesnt disqualify the girl..the second does NOT make Jameis guilty. This is a singular event and we shouldn’t prejudge EITHER of the participants.
Lots here have been beotching about her being a gold digger. That may have been better. Then she would have price….they could negotiate behind the scenes and it all goes away.
February 19th, 2018 at 3:35 pm
Bonzai says:
“He actually has been sued for this…and HE won. It was ruled that he had the right to do what he did as commissioner. He has absolute power, limited only by a majority vote of the owners.”
Yea – that was years ago and was likely a lucky and/or”influenced” decision…
You think Goodell would risk his current Kinglike status – which could be over ruled by one court decision – on a “case” as flimsy as Ubergropergate?
If you were Jameis and you didn’t do this and got suspended by the NFL anyway – costing you millions of dollars along with damaging your reputation – you wouldn’t sue the NFL for forced lost wages and defamation of character? I know I would and I am normally against most instances of people suing people unless absolutely necessary.
Sometimes a court of law is the only recourse in certain instances – and if Winston were to get suspended without PROOF of wrongdoing – he would absolutely have that option of recourse available to him. Goodell knows this and will tread lightly in this instance.
No formal accusation – just an ‘incident report’ to Uber. No proof whatsoever. No law enforcement involvement. No interviews. No investigation at the time when an investigation might have yielded something. No charges obviously.
No CASE. Just a TMZ style “report” that has damaged Winston’s reputation without cause – AGAIN.
February 19th, 2018 at 3:40 pm
Plus let’s not forget the lawyer who started this is the same lawyer who lost to Jameis (3x if not mistaken).
February 19th, 2018 at 3:42 pm
Okay well can you just stop bringing it up on every jw article? Is that fair?
February 19th, 2018 at 3:55 pm
st pete – why are you citing #s for ra_pe when the incident in question allegedly involved unwanted touch of the outer clothing that only lasted a couple of seconds according to the driver’s statement.
That’s my biggest problem with too much of this “me too” stuff. What you just did there. Classifying unwanted ass slapping or even momentary crotch grabbing as “sexual assault” and somehow equating it or associating it with actual ra_pe.
Doesn’t make the former acceptable nor should it be tolerated as “the way it is” like it usually was until just a couple decades ago. But treating unwanted advances or unwanted touch as a crime that must be dealt with on the same level as actual sexual assault is a question of degree that this ‘me too’ generation obviously needs to work through…
February 19th, 2018 at 4:47 pm
Statute of limitation is paramount as in all legal cases. If a lawsuit is filed prior to the statute of limitation, evidence obtained by the NFL would be subjected to subpoena. It would be wise for the NFL not to have their investigation tainted by some alter ego psycho.
February 19th, 2018 at 6:21 pm
I agree with Pickgrin, but Joe has a really good point. The Glazers need to stop being potted plants and get more involved on important committees, task forces and other things. Every time you hear about a group of owners meeting with players over the kneeling protests or anything similar, you can be sure there’s no Glazer in that “group.” Some forward guidance on the Uber thing would really help us plan better for next year.
February 19th, 2018 at 7:17 pm
*****************
I do NOT see anything fishy at all … Hurney’s wife filed a Police Report … there is NOTHING against Jameis, just a baseless accusation … no police report, no arrest, no charge, no proof, no witness for the accuser, nothing …. NO CASE.
I honestly think the NFL isn’t taking the accusation against Jameis seriously but that they can’t come out and say that publicy for fear of public backlash, so they’ll wait till preseason and release some statement like, “After an extensive investigation, Jameis Winston has been cleared”, etc … this whole thing seems like a non-issue that no one but Bucs fans and Florida media even care about …
*****************
February 19th, 2018 at 7:18 pm
Maybe the accusations have zero credibility and the NFL doesn’t want to announce anything about it until after the (pound)meToo garbage dies down.
February 20th, 2018 at 6:34 am
Roy raises the most relevant point. If there is a statute of limitations about to expire then the NFL has no incentive to make a ruling before hand. If the NFL clears James beforehand and she files, the NFL looks bad in the press. if NFL investigates beforehand the accuser can discover the results of the investigation which could also make NFL look bad. Better to wait and see what she does.