NFL: National Felon League? Part III

Using the NFL Arrest Database compiled by Brent Schrotenboer, Union-Tribune staff writer and published by SIGNON San Diego, here is the current list of arrests by position, fewest to most, with some notables, beginning on May 24, 2000 with the arrest of Charles Woodson:

Offensive Center : 1

Punter : 3 (Todd Sauerbrun, Pat McAfee)

Offensive Guard : 6

Fullback : 8 (Deon Anderson)

Kicker : 8 (Sebastian Janikowski, Jeff Reed)

Quarterback : 13 (Michael Vick, Vince Young, Daunte Culpepper, Chris Simms)

Defensive Back : 15 ( Donte Whitner)

Defensive Lineman : 15 (Terry “Tank” Johnson, Fred Evans)

Offensive Lineman : 22 (Nick Kaczur)

Offensive Tackle : 24 (Bryant McKinnie)

Tight End : 26 (Daniel Graham, Jerramy Stevens, Mark Chmura)

Defensive Tackle : 34 (Albert Haynesworth, Leonardo Carson, Dana Stubblefield)

Defensive End : 39 (Bruce Smith, Shaun Ellis, Randy Starks)

Safety : 41 (Lawyer Milloy, Dwight Smith, Sean Taylor)

Running Back : 53 (Ronnie Brown, Ricky Williams, Larry Johnson, Cedric Benson)

Linebacker : 59 (Joey Porter, Shawne Merriman, Jonathan Vilma, Terrell Suggs)

Cornerback : 70 (Adam Jones, Ricky Manning Jr., Charles Woodson )

Wide Receiver : 93 (Braylon Edwards, Vincent Jackson, Donte Stallworth, Brandon Marshall, Plaxico Burress, Santonio Holmes, Chris Henry, Jabar Gaffney, Steve Smith, Randy Moss, David Tyree, Rod Smith, Terry Glenn)

Judging by the list, it appears that the wide receivers are the “Bad Boys of the NFL” with the cornerbacks not far behind. Linebackers and running backs are getting into their fair share of trouble as are safeties and defensive ends…

Interior lineman, more specifically offensive centers and guards, are the first class citizens of the gridiron, according to the list.

Could criminal behavior in the NFL be related to Psychiatrist William Sheldon’s theory on body types (Somatotypes)? The theory, first discussed in 1949, attempted to prove the correlation between “physique and temperament”.

Sheldon described Endomorphs as plump and pear-shaped, displaying relaxed, sociable, tolerant, and peaceful personality traits, not too unlike offensive centers and guards in regards to criminal activity… Ectomorphs were described as lean and delicate, lacking in thick musculature and as a result, were characterized by their quiet, restrained, and non-assertive natures… Mesomorphs were identified by their broad shoulders, narrow hips, and thick musculatures, not too unlike widereceivers, cornerbacks, linebackers, and running backs. Sheldon believed Mesomorphs were more active, impulsive, aggressive, combative, and well-suited to the world of sports or the life of crime...

Although Sheldon’s theory on body type and personality traits was never widely accepted by Psychologists, his study has never been regarded as nonsense.

Those in the field of neuroscience believe neurochemicals such as monoamine oxidase (MOA), epinephrine, norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamineareare responsible for the activation of behavioral patterns and tendencies in specific areas of the brain (Elliot, 2000). Psychiatrists believe personality traits and disorders can be identified in childhood where they can be effectively treated. They believe disorders like Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Conduct Disorder (CD), and Oppositional Defiance Disorder (ODD) are precursors to Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD), which after the age of eighteen, can be characterized by a blatant disregard for the rights of others, resulting in criminal activity.

Caitlin M. Jones of The Rochester Institute of Technology concludes “Having a genetic predisposition for criminal behavior does not determine the actions of an individual, but if they are exposed to the right environment, then their chances are greater for engaging in criminal or anti-social behavior.”

Back to the gridiron- It would appear that at least some of the players in the NFL who have been involved in criminal activity may not only have the “genetic predisposition” for this type of behavior, but may also have come from low socioeconomic urban environments where they experienced abuse and/or neglect, where antisocial and delinquent behavior was prevalent, all environmental factors perfect for nurturing criminal types. And, because of their broad shoulders, narrow hips, and thick musculatures, they find themselves living the high stakes lifestyle of the professional athlete in the NFL where temptation and real world consequences can be overwhelming…