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Thurman cleared to work out
Cincy's suspended LB can train with team while he tries to get reinstated by NFL.
> Should Thurman be allowed to return?
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Cincinnati Bengals' suspended middle linebacker Odell Thurman has taken a major step forward in his bid to return to the NFL.
The Bengals announced Saturday that Thurman has been cleared by the NFL to train and work out at the team's Paul Brown Stadium facilities in Cincinnati while he pursues reinstatement from a two-year league suspension.
Extras
Thurman, a star rookie in 2005 as a second-round draft pick from the University of Georgia, was suspended for the 2006-07 seasons for violating the NFL's Substance Abuse Policy.
"Odell remains on the league's suspended list, and it remains to be seen whether he will be able to meet the conditions for reinstatement," Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis said. "If he is reinstated, he will then have to earn the confidence of our management and coaching staff that he is ready to compete for a roster spot as an active member of our team.
"In the meantime, he is allowed to work out with our strength and conditioning, and our training staffs."
In a news release issued Saturday afternoon, the Bengals said Thurman reported to Paul Brown Stadium late last week to check in with the club's coaching and training staffs, and "he will be working at the facility in days to come. Per team policy regarding players on suspension, he is not cleared to do interviews with news media."
No timetable has been announced by the NFL regarding Thurman's possible reinstatement.
Thurman played in all 17 games in 2005, including postseason, with 16 starts, and led the Bengals in tackles (148) and forced fumbles (4). His five interceptions led NFL rookies while tying the club rookie interception record.
The Bengals' defense hasn't been the same without Thurman, who has endured a tumultuous two years.
He had hoped to be reinstated for the 2007 season, but his petition was denied by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on July 26 — the day players reported to training camp at Georgetown (Ky.) College.
Goodell's decision last July offered Thurman the opportunity to reapply for reinstatement following the 2007 season.
The league suspended Thurman for the first four games of 2006 after he skipped a drug test. The suspension was extended to a full season following his arrest on a drunken driving charge that September.
Thurman pleaded no contest to the charge, and a judge suspended all but six days of a 90-day sentence and ordered Thurman to serve those six days at a treatment center.
Thurman's bid for reinstatement last year was hindered by an incident in June 2007 in his hometown of Monticello, Ga. Two Georgia men accused Thurman of kicking and hitting them at a party, but they dropped their complaint.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2253 or cludwig@DaytonDailyNews.com.
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By Doco
February 3, 2008 3:46 PM | Link to this
Yes! He was suspended from his job for 2 years. 2 YEARS!!!!! In case you didn’t get that, 2 YEARS!!!!! Through all that he did (failed drug test, missed drug test, DUI, allegedly punched somebody) the criminal justice system gave him 6 days. The NFL, 2 years. As I’ve said before, let the man work.
And all these “holier than thou” posters on here need to shove it! Who are you? Especially you “painfultooth”. Your sh** must be shinier than a silver dollar!
By Vivster
February 1, 2008 10:48 PM | Link to this
The Bengal’s D is horrible. It would have been much better with Thurman. BUT… The sad fact of the matter is that Thruman is responsible for his 4-game suspension, blowing his return and extending it to a year with a DUI, and blowing last season by not getting the help NFL rules mandate. I have personal knowledge that Thurman was still not sober as recently as the Saturday evening/early Sunday before the home Steelers game. The best thing the Bengals can do is trade him after he’s in shape.
By Scott
January 29, 2008 10:50 PM | Link to this
Of course he deserves to come back.
Do those of you who don’t want him to be allowed to come back really think two yrs isn’t long enough a punishment? That’s laughable. And a bit insane. And the fact that he’s been allowed to practice/work out with the team means that he’s passed a series of random drug/alcohol tests….
Welcome back Odell, true fans can’t wait to see you and a healthy Brooks blow up one play after another.
By Will
January 29, 2008 1:12 PM | Link to this
Alcoholics??? Why should it even matter if he likes to drink… EXAMPLE; I am a member of our great US military but think of this idea, Congress cracks down on all of us, and any military member found to have drinking problem of any level is to be discharged??? Can you imagine how many people we would lose??? HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS people… So people say that Pro Sports Players are role models, are us as military members not??? So why judge a guy that likes to drink… Think about it???
By Will
January 29, 2008 1:05 PM | Link to this
YES, he should absolutley be able to return… Someone here just said there tired of hearing how bad these people had, well I agree in the sense that I dont care, what im really tired of hearing is how these men are roll models for our children and thats why they get flak for this stuff, they signed up to play football and win so i say take anyone we can to win. Its not about looking good and being a good person its about winning games, so i say take him, an maybe hell go to church with Pollack
By Dickybird
January 29, 2008 8:07 AM | Link to this
Odell is a person who deserves a second chance. Look at some of the other things that other players did.If he has a drinking problem, that’s a lot less offensive than the abuse to women, dog fighting, controlled substances,gun play, fighting at strip clubs, and child abuse.Just look at Leonard Little, he was stopped for DUI three times. On the fouth time he killed someone and he’s still playing football? Please, Odell just drinks, and he has been to rehab. for help.
By boxter
January 29, 2008 7:22 AM | Link to this
Exactly what this team needs, another THUG. These bums that have it made but can’t stay away from drugs need to be banned for life from all sports. This guy is a thug and a drug addict. I love these loser fans that get on here & talk about how tough he had it as a kid. Tough childhood does not equal drug addict in later life. There are many people that had tough childhoods that decided they were going to be good law biding citizens and did it. I hope he relapses & goes away again.
By Bengal4Life
January 29, 2008 2:05 AM | Link to this
We all need to pay attention to the fact that many of these kids who play ball come from lower class homes and therefore, many of them are not taught the rules of deviant behavior. Thurman, an orphan, had a rough life, like many stars we watch today. They grew up with nothing and football is what saved them. They deserve the money we give them because they are entertainers. As Americans, we always give second chances to the people we love to watch. I wish the best of luck to ODELL!!
By Bengal4Life
January 29, 2008 2:04 AM | Link to this
We all need to pay attention to the fact that many of these kids who play ball come from lower class homes and therefore, many of them are not taught the rules of deviant behavior. Thurman, an orphan, had a rough life, like many stars we watch today. They grew up with nothing and football is what saved them. They deserve the money we give them because they are entertainers. As Americans, we always give second chances to the people we love to watch. I wish the best of luck to ODELL!!
By UD?=WhoD?
January 28, 2008 11:17 PM | Link to this
I didn’t care what Pete Rose did either as long as he won games. Pete Rose is a Hall of Famer and he couldn’t get back in the MLB. This guy isn’t even average at what he does. Why should they let him back in. Bengals fans continue to prove their lack of intelligence every day.
By andy settles
January 28, 2008 8:45 PM | Link to this
Yes, he should return. Odell was suspended for 2 yrs over a failed drug test and a dui. I really don’t care what he does as long as the bengals win football games. Everybody who says he shouldn’t play will cheer for him if he comes back and lights a fire under the defense and they make the playoffs. As a bengals homer I hope that maybe next year (the usual) we will have pollack,thurman,brooks,jeanty,miller,henderson,landon j. at linebacker. Good Defense turns to great offense = playoffs.
By Tomas
January 28, 2008 3:50 PM | Link to this
Yes. Thurman is a victim. Not only of a desease but of the holier than thou a—holes that think he doesn’t deserve to come back. This is only sports, yes professional sports but sports nonetheless. Thurman is not the only individual who recieved a DUI and was allowed to return to work. There have been police officers who recieved DUIs and did not get handed a tougher sentence.
By Tomas
January 28, 2008 3:50 PM | Link to this
Yes. Thurman is a victim. Not only of a desease but of the holier than thou a—holes that think he doesn’t deserve to come back. This is only sports, yes professional sports but sports nonetheless. Thurman is not the only individual who recieved a DUI and was allowed to return to work. There have been police officers who recieved DUIs and did not get handed a tougher sentence.
By amburgey
January 27, 2008 8:10 PM | Link to this
Yes, he should be allowed to return to the NFL and the Bengals. Each and every individual in this world has faults and secrets that they are ashamed of, and in some cases, some are alcoholics. May even be you, your father, brother or even mother…there are a lot worse things in this life that Odell could be doing…give him one more chance and see what happens, it’s his choice. Let’s hope for the best, for him, not the Bengals of the NFL. Who Dey! 08!
By UD?=WhoD?
January 27, 2008 6:42 PM | Link to this
Thurman is a punk and a piece of garbage. He hasn’t learned anything from any of this. Just another typical Bengal who acts like a 2 year old. Although at least if he got to play he would have some income. Otherwise I would be supporting that low life with my tax dollars.
By fred napkin
January 27, 2008 6:03 PM | Link to this
You blogger’s are homo’s, quit acting like you know crap from crisco!
By fred napkin
January 27, 2008 6:02 PM | Link to this
You blogger’s are homo’s, quit acting like you know crap from crisco!
By dean
January 27, 2008 3:33 PM | Link to this
He did his twice his time! He will be in a better place with the team. Thurman and Pollack would compliment this defense and bring them to a respectable level, and the team back to the playoffs!
By nate
January 27, 2008 3:06 PM | Link to this
hell yeah let him back
By Jerry
January 27, 2008 11:53 AM | Link to this
Are you kidding with this question. He should have been able to conme back last year. I personally think the COMMISH really had it in for us last year. Just wait until a really high profile player from a big market team gets into trouble. The punishments will be a lot smaller you’ll see.
By North
January 27, 2008 11:04 AM | Link to this
“PAUL” hit the nail on the head!
By ShockMonkey
January 27, 2008 10:57 AM | Link to this
Well let’s see: Tank Johnson had enough guns to arm a small South American army and he was re-instated. Ricky’s been on the spliff train for years and he was allowed back in so yeah, Odell deserves the go ahead too.
Let’s face it, our “D” really hasn’t been the same since the one year he played. I hope he goes from zero to hero again this year. We need him in case you naysayers haven’t noticed how lousy our defense has been lately. Especially, if Zimmer installs the 3-4.
By Charlie
January 27, 2008 1:24 AM | Link to this
Odell Thurman, is not a hero, nor should he even looked upon as one. Does he truly deserve the money he gets paid, NO. Let us not be judgmental. Football has entertainment value, similar to music, TV, and television. Many idolize celebrities with drug problems and think of them as charity cases and/or God’s of what they practice. Good example is musicians of the 60’s or the 70’s, Ray Charles, Johnny Cash, or even Comedy’s Richard Pryor. Let the young man play and learn from his mistakes.
By Paul
January 26, 2008 11:24 PM | Link to this
Your hero’s aren’t statesmen, leaders, and people who find cures for cancer/various diseases, captains of industry, inventors, peacemakers (when they can), or theologians who preach finding peace with God…your hero’s are overpaid low intelligence trash that occasionally abuse any thing they can. You then let them off because somebody else did it and they got away with it? Ethics, values, integrity, truth, mean nothing to a person who catches a ball, it’s always someone else’s fault. Play ball!
By tiffany
January 26, 2008 10:52 PM | Link to this
Ricky Williams was able to come back, michael vick may come back and PATRIOTS CHEATED!!!! Thurman should be able to come back
By tiffany
January 26, 2008 10:51 PM | Link to this
Ricky Williams was able to come back, michael vick may come back and PATRIOTS CHEATED!!!! Thurman should be able to come back
By painfultruth
January 26, 2008 10:39 PM | Link to this
Just another dumb jock. The people saying he’s paid his price live in dreamland. Until pro sports rids itself of thugs/dopers/drunks, the problem won’t go away. Ignoring the transgressions of pro athletes is just ignorance! Get a grip; these people are not “heroes of society”.
By Scott
January 26, 2008 8:30 PM | Link to this
He’s paid the price and of course he deserves to come back. From a fan standpoint I’m very excited what the new LB coach can do with a healthy Brooks and refreshed, hungry Odell. The new feared D is moving from Baltimore to Cincy Baby.
And for those of you who don’t think he deserves to come back tell me another player who’s been punished harder for these transgressions. Ricky Williams has like 8 chances. It’s not like he killed anybody, or their dog.
By Tom
January 26, 2008 5:19 PM | Link to this
NO!
By Jeff
January 26, 2008 5:12 PM | Link to this
Odell was never on crystal meth, this rumor was started and spread like wild fire. This guy gave our defense a face, a face it has not had in his absence. He will be back and he will make the whole league pay for the unfair punishment he has been put though.
By painfultruth
January 26, 2008 5:01 PM | Link to this
Yet another dumb jock looking for an excuse for his actions. Whaaaa! Not MY fault. Bullchit! All of these vastly overpaid and terribly underbrained humanoids should be banished from pro sports permanently! Why do you think all their teenage fans think their behaviour is acceptable when you see pro athletes always getting away with something? Foregivenees only makes YOU feel good and doesn’t eliminate the problem.
By HearSay
January 26, 2008 3:54 PM | Link to this
BnOPanther saying something like that is ridiculous. If he was using crystal meth he wouldn’t be pursuing a complaint against the league he would be grateful enough for the opportunity to play again. If the league never released it how did you get your info. It would be wise to cite a source of your information. Let’s just hope he isn’t the NFL comeback player of the year for a different team.
By Bengals4Life
January 26, 2008 3:06 PM | Link to this
If he is not reinstated, then he should appeal to courts for job discrimination. We have players on this team that are much more of a problem than he is. I think having him back on the team will give our D a resurgence. Whats the worst that could happen, we cant drop much farther defensively.
By d-town guru
January 26, 2008 12:29 PM | Link to this
I heard he looked at some one funny the other day. ONE MORE YEAR!!! It dosn’t matter what drug he’s using, thats all rumor anyway. If he’s clean he hould get in.
By von roberts
January 26, 2008 11:24 AM | Link to this
this is why the team needs to cut their ties with player’s like thurman and henry, they have already showed the team that they can not be counted on and are one strike away from being banished from the league for good. this is not about having the most talented player’s on the field it’s about finding guy’s with character who make smart choices on and off the field.
By Jerry of old North Dayton
January 26, 2008 10:57 AM | Link to this
If Bill Belichick can openly defies commissioner Goodell after receiving a direct memo not to record the plays and autobal calls of opposing teams which directly reflects on the play of the game and a equal playing filed, yes O’Dell NEEDS to be reinstated. For Belichick to receive a .5 mil fine without suspensions, the Pats .25 mil and then the Pats reward Belichick with an increase of 3 mil yearly salary giving Belichick a 2.5 mil dollar reward for his actions, is a travesty.
By Crazy-Flyer
January 26, 2008 10:41 AM | Link to this
The Bengals should invest in their own prison so they have a place to put their players when they get into trouble. I say make the Bengals pay for their players incarceration rather than rely on public tax dollars.
By BnOPanther
January 26, 2008 10:10 AM | Link to this
With Odell it’s more than a few beers and some weed. The league never released this but it was chyrstal meth. I’m as big as Bengal homer their is, but he will never play in the league again. Time to forget about this loser and find another middle backer. Plus he’s been out of the league for 2 years, that’s a little less than the league average. He won’t be able to get the job done even if by the grace of God he does return.
By Doug
January 26, 2008 9:52 AM | Link to this
If Odell isn’t reinstated, I hope the league is litigated against for discrimatory practices and Odell wins an unbelievable judgement.
By Jeff
January 26, 2008 8:43 AM | Link to this
DALE SAID IT BEST= If he is not allowed back into the league after Ricky Williams was allowed back in then there is something being held against him and the Bengals. The best place for him to be is around his teammates and around football. Being the Bengals though I am sure he will find a way to suspend him again. If it was the patriots they would say it is best for the league.
By dale 78
January 26, 2008 6:33 AM | Link to this
YES he should be reinstated if Ricky williams of Miami can come back from using marijuana, then Mr Thurman should be allowed to return .
By joe
January 26, 2008 2:50 AM | Link to this
ummm…yeah he should.