Roger Goodell lied

[Bronx33]

LINK (http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/2008/02/17/2008-02-17_wife_in_pacman_jones_shooting_says_roger.html)

BY LARRY McSHANE
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

Sunday, February 17th 2008, 4:00 AM


Roger Goodell

As her staggering bills mounted and her paralyzed husband lived through hell, the phone call Kathy Urbanski received from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell seemed heaven-sent.

Goodell offered to provide Tommy Urbanski with desperately needed money as he recovers from a near-fatal shooting allegedly sparked last February by Tennessee Titans cornerback Adam (Pacman) Jones, his wife said. But Goodell never came through.

"Roger Goodell told me, 'You don't have to call us. We'll get in touch with you,'" Kathy Urbanski recalled angrily. "Now I realize he meant, 'Don't call us, we'll call you.'"

Kathy Urbanski spoke from the Nevada hotel where she and Tommy live as renovations continue to make their Las Vegas home wheelchair-accessible - one of the many expensive projects the couple face.

The total tab for the 44-year-old former Commack, L.I., resident's rehab is expected to cost millions of dollars.

Tommy Urbanski still carries a bullet in his spine from the Feb. 19, 2007, shooting after a nightclub melee involving the troubled Jones. The 6-foot-6 man was shot four times after arriving for his shift as morning manager at the Minxx Gentlemen's Club. Jones was in town for the NBA All-Star Game when their paths crossed at about 5 a.m.

Goodell later suspended the oft-arrested player for the 2007 season. But Kathy Urbanski said Goodell's failure to discipline Jones earlier despite half a dozen prior busts makes him "as guilty as Pacman and the shooter."

The Urbanskis claim Goodell made his offers to help them in two phone calls last year. But when they called the NFL back, they say they were ignored.

Goodell has said the NFL was willing to participate in a fund-raiser to aid Tommy Urbanski - but things changed once the couple sued the NFL.

"I'm sorry about the tragedy the family is going through, but I don't feel we have any responsibility," Goodell said before the Super Bowl. Goodell said that Kathy Urbanski agreed with him during their chat.

Not true, she said.

"This is a David-and-Goliath situation, with working people against a very greedy and evil corporation called the NFL," she said.

Tommy Urbanski is making progress in his recovery: He can once again play his beloved guitar and recently began driving a specially outfitted car. But the unexpected arrives as surely as the sunrise each morning.

"Every day brings some surprise," he said. "To get back, emotionally, to where I was is a lot to deal with."

He credited his wife for keeping his focus on getting better. "I used to be the backbone. Now she's the backbone ... If we weren't a cohesive unit, it would be tough. My wife goes through all this, too."

The NFL, in a hearing set for Wednesday, wants a Nevada judge to drop it from the lawsuit filed last year.

Jones pleaded guilty two months ago to a misdemeanor charge in the shooting. The man who shot Tommy Urbanski was never arrested.

Last week, the Urbanskis marked their first Valentine's Day since the shooting with a quiet lunch. At the same time in Georgia, Jones was settling yet another criminal case - getting three years' probation for biting a cop in February 2006.

"Unbelievable," Tommy Urbanski said. "Unbelievable."

[That One Guy]

Goodell didn't lie. If he offered to help them out of kindness and they decided to sue him, screw em. Pacman wasn't acting as an agent of the NFL when the shooting occured... it's just more people trying to get rich off tragedy.

How many people get paralized in the US every year? I bet it's quite a few and I'd bet they find a way to adjust to their new life without it costing them millions. These people are just trying to ride the publicity to the high life... don't buy it.

[Spider]

I thought this was another Barry Bonds thread

[Spider]

Goodell didn't lie. If he offered to help them out of kindness and they decided to sue him, screw em. Pacman wasn't acting as an agent of the NFL when the shooting occured... it's just more people trying to get rich off tragedy.

How many people get paralized in the US every year? I bet it's quite a few and I'd bet they find a way to adjust to their new life without it costing them millions. These people are just trying to ride the publicity to the high life... don't buy it.

well suing the NFL is like suing my company I work for , for something I do in my personal car .....

[Kaylore]

I love when the media goes after people how they find the most unflattering pictures of someone they can so people will like them less:

http://www.nydailynews.com/img/2008/02/17/amd_goodell.jpg

There are a million they could have used, but they chose this one?:clown:

[kappys]

Goodell didn't lie. If he offered to help them out of kindness and they decided to sue him, screw em. Pacman wasn't acting as an agent of the NFL when the shooting occured... it's just more people trying to get rich off tragedy.

How many people get paralized in the US every year? I bet it's quite a few and I'd bet they find a way to adjust to their new life without it costing them millions. These people are just trying to ride the publicity to the high life... don't buy it.

Unfortunately a million dollar tab in the first year after paralysis is not that unusual. It takes a lot of money for custom engineered and specially outfitted cars, wheelchairs, home ramps/lifts, etc. Not to mention that paraplegics are at risk for a host of medical problems that never affect those wihtout spinal cord injury and associated with huge costs.

However I do agree that the NFL doesn't share culpability in this and naming them in the lawsuit is pointless.

[chaz]

I agree the NFL doesnt have any responsibility to help, UNTIL Goodell commits to helping, then the he should follow through with his promise.

[Atlas]

They can sue Pac man, but he has never been charged with the incident. They can't find the shooter so I guess these people are screwed.

[That One Guy]

Unfortunately a million dollar tab in the first year after paralysis is not that unusual. It takes a lot of money for custom engineered and specially outfitted cars, wheelchairs, home ramps/lifts, etc. Not to mention that paraplegics are at risk for a host of medical problems that never affect those wihtout spinal cord injury and associated with huge costs.

However I do agree that the NFL doesn't share culpability in this and naming them in the lawsuit is pointless.

Oh I don't doubt that if you fully customize everything for the crippled that your bill can run that high... but the guy was accomplished enough to be a midnight manager at a strip club. To be blunt, he hasn't accomplished enough unless he's saved money to be able to afford some of the luxuries he's enjoying. The normal American would be trying to get by while trying to make payments for things and live with the construction situation. These people went and got a fully customized car, are living in a hotel while their house is worked on, etc. If they didn't think they were going to be cashing in, they'd be trying to do things a little more frugal.

I don't know of the related actual medical issues and there's obviously nothing they can do if the guy gets infections or some other medical issue at this point.

[-Slap-]

Obviously, 98% of this board will react in knee jerk fashion to protect their precious teflon League. That's a given. In their haste, nobody seems to understand the basis of the lawsuit.

Goodell later suspended the oft-arrested player for the 2007 season. But Kathy Urbanski said Goodell's failure to discipline Jones earlier despite half a dozen prior busts makes him "as guilty as Pacman and the shooter."

The NFL's attempts to placate these people by stringing them along won't be addressed formally, but we'll see how it plays in court. If it forces attention on the lawless animals running loose in this League from outside sources, it's something that should have happened a long time ago.

cah412: Oh I don't doubt that if you fully customize everything for the crippled that your bill can run that high.

For real, why doesn't Tommy the cripple just drag himself along through the dirt like a beggar in Calcutta?

[-Slap-]

I love when the media goes after people how they find the most unflattering pictures of someone they can so people will like them less:

http://www.nydailynews.com/img/2008/02/17/amd_goodell.jpg

There are a million they could have used, but they chose this one?:clown:

Maybe they chose that one to convey that he's a smarmy bastard. In that sense, this is accurate photo journalism.

[That One Guy]

For real, why doesn't Tommy the cripple just drag himself along through the dirt like a beggar in Calcutta?

There's a difference in doing what you can afford or moving into a hotel while your home is completely remodeled and running out to buy a fully customized car, etc...

Basically, the guy was accomplished enough to be in his 30s, I believe it said, and just a nighttime manager at a strip club. Now something bad has happened that they can't afford to cover... and yet they're spending excessively and trying to forward the bill to an unassociated party.

[theAPAOps5]

You say he is getting his house totally remodeled like its upgrading the kitchen. But since he is now in a wheel chair and most likely can't get into his house he HAS to stay elsewhere. The work they are doing is adding ramps, widening doors, and lowering cabinents/counter tops.

You must be perfect because you come across holier than thou in your posts lately.

[That One Guy]

The NFL's attempts to placate these people by stringing them along won't be addressed formally, but we'll see how it plays in court. If it forces attention on the lawless animals running loose in this League from outside sources, it's something that should have happened a long time ago.

I couldn't give a damn about the league and look forward, in an evil sort of way, to seeing the backlash that comes when the latest Pats stuff develops and they see that a SB or other playoff game was cheated. I can't wait to see it. That being said, the league's only incentive in punishing a player is to prevent bad publicity for the league. Trying to prevent the player from breaking the law falls on the government.

If they win this one, the government should definitely be sued everytime a repeat offender commits a violent crime for not doing enough. The government at least has the power to lock up a criminal if they break the law too often, what's goodell to do? Lock Pacman away in his NFL dungeon? Even if he suspends him from the league, he still just has more time on his hands and continues to be a part of society. Goodell can't help that.

[That One Guy]

You say he is getting his house totally remodeled like its upgrading the kitchen. But since he is now in a wheel chair and most likely can't get into his house he HAS to stay elsewhere. The work they are doing is adding ramps, widening doors, and lowering cabinents/counter tops.

You must be perfect because you come across holier than thou in your posts lately.

No, I don't mean to be perfect or holier than anyone... but my Granny recently became wheelchair stricken and they had to build her a ramp and they widened a door. That was the extent that her house was remodeled because she's on social security and that was all that they could afford. I have a lot of sympathy for people who aren't the best off but make the best out of what they have because that's how I've always been raised... doing the most with what you have. When I see someone taking what appears to be an easy way and trying to pin the bill on someone else... that's just bogus in my opinion and happens way too often. These people just see $$$$ and I think it's jacked up.

[PRBronco]

Oh I don't doubt that if you fully customize everything for the crippled that your bill can run that high... but the guy was accomplished enough to be a midnight manager at a strip club. To be blunt, he hasn't accomplished enough unless he's saved money to be able to afford some of the luxuries he's enjoying. The normal American would be trying to get by while trying to make payments for things and live with the construction situation. These people went and got a fully customized car, are living in a hotel while their house is worked on, etc. If they didn't think they were going to be cashing in, they'd be trying to do things a little more frugal.

I don't know of the related actual medical issues and there's obviously nothing they can do if the guy gets infections or some other medical issue at this point.

I thought he was just a bouncer? At least that was the story i read last year, didn't sound like he was well off at all.

[-Slap-]

Tommy and Kathy urbanski worked hard for everything they had. Tomorrow will mark the one year anniversary of his maiming.

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/local/article/0,1299,DRMN_15_5497435,00.html

Nobody is cashing in on anything. It's a very coldhearted suggestion.

Urbanski's wife claims Goodell made certain promises immediately after the incident. Since then, he's not only failed to follow through, but he's acting like the Urbanskis no longer exist. If what she says is true, I don't blame her for seeking redress. A court of law will determine if her claims have merit or not.

[fatcard]

Workplace insurance?

[gunns]

I agree the NFL doesnt have any responsibility to help, UNTIL Goodell commits to helping, then the he should follow through with his promise.

Exactly. And I sincerely doubt they are looking to get rich, probably more like pay off enormous medical bills and renovation bills and future rehabilitation bills.

[gunns]

There's a difference in doing what you can afford or moving into a hotel while your home is completely remodeled and running out to buy a fully customized car, etc...

Basically, the guy was accomplished enough to be in his 30s, I believe it said, and just a nighttime manager at a strip club. Now something bad has happened that they can't afford to cover... and yet they're spending excessively and trying to forward the bill to an unassociated party.

Where would you suggest they stay? The homeless shelter?

[That One Guy]

Tommy and Kathy urbanski worked hard for everything they had. Tomorrow will mark the one year anniversary of his maiming.

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/local/article/0,1299,DRMN_15_5497435,00.html

Nobody is cashing in on anything. It's a very coldhearted suggestion.

Urbanski's wife claims Goodell made certain promises immediately after the incident. Since then, he's not only failed to follow through, but he's acting like the Urbanskis no longer exist. If what she says is true, I don't blame her for seeking redress. A court of law will determine if her claims have merit or not.

OK, I hadn't read that article... I'd never realized the manager thing was only a part time job for some extra money. That gets a little more sympathy from me as everyone runs into hard times.

Just so everyone knows, I don't really try to be a cold-hearted asshole. I recently saw the documentary on Wal-Mart and I noticed how many people on there had settled for mediocrity by being a cashier for life but then blame Wal-Mart for their terrible lives. It really pissed me off and made me look around at those I work with... most are content just bringing in a paycheck, don't care about bettering themselves or planning for their future. It's just been an eye opening few weeks of observation as I see how little motivation people have to prepare for their futures or better themselves so in this case I've always thought the guy was just a life-long strip club employee... so he just happened to get clumped up with those I work with. In reality he had been a realtor but got hit by the housing market and that's something that can happen to anyone. So, on the part of knocking him for his job and saying he could've prepared himself better, I was wrong.

The other parts I stick to though. I think that if it had just been some random thug that had shot him and they didn't see big money in their future, they'd be trying to manage this situation much more frugal. Yes it'd be great to be able to lower counters, modify the house right off the bat... but maybe that's not something that's realistic at this point. The guy is what, 6'6? I'd say that while it may not be ideal, he could manage on full heighted counters. The ramp they'd definitely need and the door widening they'd need but those could both be adjusted rather quickly. Again, I don't mean to knock them but I think that it seems that since the person they hold responsible has money, they think they can go all out and do everything to make his life as pleasant as possible. Unfortunately, it doesn't appear they can afford to do that. It comes down to is it worth it to run up all kinds of debt to make a situation more conveniant for the guy even if you know you can't pay that debt. The healthcare... noone should ever be forced to skimp on healthcare so spend away. And finally, I don't really know the situation on them living in hotels... how long it's been going on and what not... but I know that if I were the one planning it, I'd be trying to find a way to coexist while the repairs are being done. If this is only a week long stay at a hotel that's one thing but it almost seems as if it's more of a long term thing. I'd say he probably has some respiratory concerns with being in the house while construction is going on though... so maybe it's required, not sure.

Ultimately, my issue is that they seem to be spending beyond their means for his convenience when they could get by cheaper just working on the things he immediately needs now and making life more convenient a little down the road. I just think they figure they have an open tab since they hope the NFL will foot the bill.

And Goodell said the NFL was going to help with fundraising until the lawsuit happened. It's probably like in child support cases where if you start supporting a kid... you can be stuck with support forever because you assumed responsibility for the kid. If they start paying these people any money, maybe it'd be considered an admission of guilt and they'd be stuck with the whole thing. Helping out doesn't have to mean footing the entire bill but that appears to be what they want.

[lex]

If they incurred some cost/obligation based on a promise, thats promissory estoppel. Not sure if it will hold up because Im sure the question will be how binding the promise was. Also, this is almost exactly a year after the incident. I wonder if thats a coincidence.

[Broncos_OTM]

No, I don't mean to be perfect or holier than anyone... but my Granny recently became wheelchair stricken and they had to build her a ramp and they widened a door. That was the extent that her house was remodeled because she's on social security and that was all that they could afford. I have a lot of sympathy for people who aren't the best off but make the best out of what they have because that's how I've always been raised... doing the most with what you have. When I see someone taking what appears to be an easy way and trying to pin the bill on someone else... that's just bogus in my opinion and happens way too often. These people just see $$$$ and I think it's jacked up.

Yeah like the guy wanted to become paralized. its a big conspiracy... get real dude

[That One Guy]

Yeah like the guy wanted to become paralized. its a big conspiracy... get real dude

Bad things happen to people every year but not all of them get rich off it. Why are they suing the NFL rather than the strip joint where he was employed and shot on duty? Probably has something to due with who has more money even though the NFL isn't involved.

[lex]

Bad things happen to people every year but not all of them get rich off it. Why are they suing the NFL rather than the strip joint where he was employed and shot on duty? Probably has something to due with who has more money even though the NFL isn't involved.

You could make the argument that NFL players are so well compensated for their job it gives them a sense of power or entitlement to behave in a way that is out of bounds and that because the NFL didnt react soon enough, they were only funding his bad habits. Im not saying its the best argument, but I can see that being the crux of it.

[That One Guy]

You could make the argument that NFL players are so well compensated for their job it gives them a sense of power or entitlement to behave in a way that is out of bounds and that because the NFL didnt react soon enough, they were only funding his bad habits. Im not saying its the best argument, but I can see that being the crux of it.

LOL unfortunately that's the kind of reaching some of these people go for when it comes time to find reason for their lawsuits. Sometimes the people in this country drive me nuts.

[lex]

LOL unfortunately that's the kind of reaching some of these people go for when it comes time to find reason for their lawsuits. Sometimes the people in this country drive me nuts.

Reaching is your word. And youre biased at the outset.

[That One Guy]

Reaching is your word. And youre biased at the outset.

If that were allowed, every employer that paid their employee enough to be able to afford a weapon that was later used in a murder would be financially liable. How far do we have to spiderweb these people looking for someone to blame? Well, he knew Suzie Q who gave him 20 bucks to mow her lawn, John gave him 1500 bucks for his car... and his employer paid him for work every day... sue em all! We'll be rich by tomorrow... just as soon as we finish burying everyone, then it's on to easy street! ROFL!

That's so rediculous. Sorry man, you got shot... that really sucks.