"We're all professionals, so once camp opens you don't want to focus on breaking laws instead of football," said Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch. "That's why a lot of us are out here drunk driving, robbing people and raping so we're ready to go for the season."
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell says he will wait to decide on possible suspensions for Lynch, Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant and most of the Detroit Lions roster, among other players who have been in the police blotter lately, but says he is glad they are scratching their crime itch now.
"As far as a public attention goes, we are really under the microscope from September to February," said Goodell. "So it's the preference of the league that law-breaking happen during the offseason when it's more under the radar. Our fans deserve that — as long as our players aren't robbing or killing NFL fans, of course. That's a personal pet peeve of mine."
Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis, who has dealt with player behavioral issues throughout his time in Cincinnati, says he has stressed to his team in recent years that they get all of their felonies out of the way prior to training camp.
"Once the season kicks off, I want our violent crimes committed on the field. That's what football is all about," he said.
