NEW YORK CITY, N.Y. – The New York Jets will start their 2016 NFL season at MetLife Stadium against the Cincinnati Bengals. Sheldon Richardson however, will be sidelined for a second consecutive season opener. Last season, Richardson missed the first four games due to suspension. Richardson received the suspension for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy.
Last Thursday, the NFL handed Richardson his one game suspension. Richardson will be allowed to participate in all preseason activities, but will not be active on the Jets’ roster until Sept. 12. This suspension stems from an incident that occurred back in July 2015. Richardson led police on a high speed chase through the suburbs of St. Louis, with his 12 year old relative in the car. To make matters worse police found a loaded, semiautomatic gun and reported a strong odor of marijuana from the car.
In January, Richardson plead guilty to resisting arrest. Richardson received two years probation along with 100 hours of community service, four traffic violations and a $1,050 fine.
Realistically, Richardson is very lucky to only have gotten a one game suspension for violating the NFL’s conduct policy. Not only that, but Richardson could have faced much worse legal consequences if police had sufficient evidence. Richardson addressed his positive outlook and realization that he dodged some serious trouble in a recent Instagram post.
Last season, the Jets posted a 3-1 record during Richardson’s suspension. There shouldn’t be too much panic for Jet fans, but the off-the-field issues can’t continue with Richardson. As last season showed, every game in the NFL counts. You need to have your best players on the field in order to win, and Richardson is letting his teammates down.
Richardson is losing one game check of $104,471, but this recent issue may prevent him from getting the big money contract he is looking for from New York. The Jets front office could be persuaded to offer it to Muhammad Wilkerson instead. Wilkerson has also been looking to cash in on a big contract, but has not spent the last two season openers suspended…
Barry Holmes is a Senior Writer for PureSportsNY.com. Follow him on Twitter @BHO732
(Featured Image Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports)