Mychal Kendricks fights against indefinite ban

On Tuesday, news came that the NFL has suspended Seattle Seahawks linebacker Mychal Kendricks indefinitely because Kendricks was involved in an insider trading scheme.

The timing was odd, as Kendricks was allowed to play three games with the Seahawks, who signed him last month after the Cleveland Browns released him following his arrest by federal authorities.

And the length – or lack thereof – was surprising. Not surprising? Kendricks fights against it.

Kendricks and NFLPA fight against the NFL

Citing sources, ESPN reported Sunday morning that Kendricks and the NFL Players’ Association, along with their lawyers, are fighting the NFL to prove that the league cannot suspend him indefinitely.

An indefinite suspension is the ultimate penalty that can be imposed under the league’s code of conduct.

Kendricks wants the league to give him a certain number of games, be it four or six or however many, in the hopes of getting him back on the field this season.

The verdict is scheduled for January 24, 2019.

Pete Carroll talks to Roger Goodell

ESPN reports that Seattle coach Pete Carroll has spoken to Commissioner Roger Goodell on Kendricks’ behalf. But while Kendricks has traveled to the NFL offices in New York at least twice in the last month to meet with league officials and make his case, he has not met with Goodell.

Goodell apparently told the Seahawks that he did not have all the information about Kendricks’ legal situation – but the 28-year-old was still suspended indefinitely.

Kendricks pleaded guilty to insider trading, apologized publicly, and repaid all the money he made from his scheme with former Goldman Sachs trader Damilare Sonoiki.

Article 46 gives NFL and Goodell all power

If the past situation is any indication, Kendricks has little chance of changing anything, especially if he goes to court against Goodell and the NFL.

As we’ve seen in notable cases – Tom Brady with his Deflate Gate suspension, Ezekiel Elliott with his suspension – Article 46 of the collective bargaining agreement gives Goodell the ability to punish players at will, and because it’s in the CBA and thus approved by the NFLPA, those who want to challenge it have little legal recourse.

Penalties such as violations of the performance-enhancing substance or drug abuse policies are specifically outlined, but Article 46 covers anything beyond that. Kendricks is believed to be the first NFL player to be suspended for a white-collar offense.