The Bengals announced today that they have been notified by the office of NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell that linebacker Odell Thurman’s petition for reinstatement has been denied.
The decision means Thurman won't play at all this year. Thurman has the opportunity to reapply for reinstatement following the 2007 season.
The Bengals overlooked character concerns and drafted Thurman in 2005, and he played -- and played well -- in all 16 games as a rookie that year. But he was suspended for the entire 2006 regular season for violation of the NFL's Substance Abuse Policy. His DUI arrest in September was considered his third violation of the policy.
Thurman reportedly met with Goodell this month in an attempt to persuade him that he has turned his life around, saying he has sought counseling for substance abuse and has done volunteer work with area youth. ProFootballTalk.com -- The Best Pro Football Scoop on the Internet
07-26-2007, 01:04 PM
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