Titans put hold on Pacman Jones' wrestling career

[clevfan]

Tuesday, 07/31/07

Titans put hold on Pacman Jones' wrestling career
If he gets in ring, it may violate contract

By JIM WYATT
Staff Writer
Tennessean.com

If suspended cornerback Pacman Jones enters a pro wrestling ring, there's a chance he could violate his contract with the Titans.

"That type of thing is not permitted in accordance with the player's contract,'' Coach Jeff Fisher said Monday.

Most NFL contracts contain clauses that prohibit players from taking part in activities that might cause injuries. There were more indications, however, that Total Nonstop Action Wrestling still wants Jones in the ring in some manner.

The organization recently contacted Jones about taking part in an upcoming event, although his attorney reiterated that discussions with TNA don't include Jones actually wrestling and his involvement otherwise wouldn't appear to violate his contract with the Titans.

Said Steven Godfrey, public relations manager for TNA: "We have no comment right now. But a TNA statement is forthcoming in the next couple of days regarding the situation.''

Jones was at Baptist Sports Park Monday. Under terms of his suspension he is allowed in the team's training facility once a week for counseling, conditioning, film study and injury rehab.

Teammates who saw Jones didn't talk with him about TNA, but some didn't believe he'd actually wrestle.

"He's a football player. He's no wrestler,'' linebacker Keith Bulluck said. "He needs to concentrate on other things besides wrestling.

"I think he has enough on his plate right now. But you never know with that guy. Who knows what he is going to do. I don't know if that is the best thing to do, but at the same time it not my decision, it's Pac's.''

'Entertainment value'

Jones was suspended by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on April 10 for an accumulation of off-field incidents. He could be reinstated after 10 games, when Goodell will review his case.

Whether participation in a wrestling event would violate conditions of Jones' suspension was unclear. NFL Vice President of Public Relations Greg Aiello was unavailable for comment on Monday.

Attorney Worrick Robinson said he's discussed Jones' contract with his agent, Michel Huyghue. Robinson said they agreed the type of involvement Jones might have in a wrestling event "wouldn't appear to interfere or invalidate his contract with the NFL. It is just participating for entertainment value.''

In 2004, Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher took part in a pay-per-view wrestling event in Nashville, but the Bears made it clear they weren't going to let it continue.

Former Titans tight end Frank Wycheck took part in a TNA event in June and was joined at ringside by defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch. Vanden Bosch didn't wrestle, however.

"We are discussing different ways Adam Jones can participate," Robinson said, "but it is not expected it will be as a wrestler.''

'Flying squirrel'

Discussion about Jones as a wrestler provided some fun in the locker room on Monday.

One player wondered if Jones might be asked to step into the ring and hit someone with a chair. Several were amused by the thought of Jones wearing wrestling tights.

"I do see (Jones) as a pretty good hype man," defensive tackle Rien Long said. "He should be someone's manager, going around slapping hands and kicking the opponent's manager or something like that — maybe an instigator of some kind. Inside the ring I guess I could see him as a flying squirrel maybe.''

Like some others, however, tight end Bo Sciafe is skeptical about the whole thing.

"I know Pac well enough, I don't think he'll do that,'' Scaife said. "But if he did do it I think he would do it more just to keep his fan base.''

[Louis Cypher]

By TERESA M. WALKER
AP Sports Writer

11:48 AM EDT, August 6, 2007

NASHVILLE, Tenn.

Suspended Tennessee Titans cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones is ready to step into the wrestling ring.

He signed a contract with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling and will make his in-ring debut on Thursday, the company said Monday. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Jones' first appearance will be for its iMPACT! show on Spike TV, and he'll appear in a pay-per-view show on Sunday. TNA films at Universal Studios in Orlando, Fla.

"I am a big fan of wrestling, so I wanted to give it a try," Jones said in a statement. "I respect wrestling and I'm not coming in like it's just a show. I want to prove that I am the greatest team-sport athlete."

Jones' NFL contract prohibits non-football activities that could cause injury. Jones' agent said last week that they had talked with the Titans about Jones' plans with TNA.

TNA spokesman Steven Godfrey said officials could not comment on whether Jones actually will wrestle.

"But he will be involved in a story line," Godfrey said.

The Titans were on the practice field Monday morning, and coach Jeff Fisher couldn't immediately be contacted for reaction. Titans chief operating officer Steve Underwood didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

Jones was suspended in April for the 2007 season by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell for conduct detrimental to the league. He dropped his appeal of that punishment in June.

Goodell was asked about Jones' wrestling activities when he visited the Titans' camp Saturday. Goodell said it was up to Jones to decide what's in his best interest as he tries to earn his way back onto the field.

"I've often said that it's not about what you say, it's about what you do," Goodell said. "It's your actions. And I think the actions will have to determine that."

Jones has been arrested six times since being drafted by the Titans in April 2005, including June 22 when he turned himself in on two felony counts of coercion in a Las Vegas strip club fight that left a man paralyzed.

His bid to join the Titans in training camp was denied by the NFL on July 26. Jones' case will be reviewed after the Titans' 10th game, which is Nov. 19.

He wouldn't be the first Titan to make a TNA appearance. Titans defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch worked the corner for retired tight end Frank Wycheck at a TNA tag team match in June in Nashville.

[TheGuesser]

Maybe he could don a wig and play the updated Miss Elizabeth to Jay Lethal's updated Macho Man, Black Machismo.
Maybe STING can save his soul like he's saved Abyss's.

[mjh218]

Why don't they just cut Pac Man and put an end to this joke of a human being. He should never earn another $$ playing football

[Bitter Bruin]

Originally Posted by mjh218

Why don't they just cut Pac Man and put an end to this joke of a human being. He should never earn another $$ playing football

Couldn't agree more...why is this guy allowed to stay in the NFL? It makes absolutely no sense....it is not a right to play a professional sport, it is a priviledge.

[broadway]

Bonus money implications is my guess... big motivation there, made Ricky Williams give up his pot habit - err allegedly