When an NFL player attacks an opponent with a dangerous, helmet-to-helmet hit, he is suspended immediately for a game or more. When Oakland Raiders coach Tom Cable acknowledges having struck his first wife -- this as two other romantic partners allege that he physically abused them, this after a Raiders assistant coach accused Cable of breaking his jaw and threatening to kill him during a training-camp confrontation -- well, I'm wondering where the NFL commissioner is right now.Urgency has been the signature of Roger Goodell's tenure as it comes to violence and personal conduct. A violation occurs, he's on it at once, and next thing you know, Sheriff Roger is announcing another suspension. It has been the most important stance taken by a sports commissioner here in the new millennium, but just the same, Goodell must be as quick to act on a coach as he is a player. In the case of Cable, who at the least has serious anger issues and appears to have an ugly history of battering women and bullying men, it's hard for me to believe he'll be allowed to coach another week in America's most visible, successful league. The NFL says it is investigating Cable and his past, but Goodell already has the proof required for at least an indefinite suspension:
Blackistone: Suspending Cable Good for Everyone, Including Him
Reports: NFL Evaluating Cable, Al Davis Wants a New Coach
Reports: NFL Evaluating Cable, Al Davis Wants a New Coach
1. The assistant coaches who witnessed the incident between Cable and assistant Randy Hanson confirmed to police in Napa County, Calif., that Cable did grow angry and confront Hanson and that he grabbed Hanson by the shirt before the two were separated. Though they claim Cable didn't punch or threaten Hanson, it's clear that Cable bull-rushed him and made physical contact, which smacks of workplace violence that should deeply concern a league armed with rules against such conduct.
2. The training-camp episode was followed by an ESPN Outside the Lines report revealing that Sandy Cable, the coach's first wife, was abused during their marriage and sought a 1989 order of protection that included her comments: "On two occasions, one back in '86 and the other in '88, he hit me ... the second time in the face, however on attempts to call law enforcement, my husband would rip the phone out of the wall." She added that when they broke up, she brought up counseling as a solution. "That angered him even further," she said. Later that day, Cable confirmed that he struck her. He did so before leading the Raiders onto the field against the San Diego Chargers, not the kind of pregame development helpful to any team.
There could be more corroborated evidence for Goodell, much more, but for now, this is more than sufficient to remove him from the sideline. Once Cable admitted to hitting his first wife, he opened the door to the possibility that a serial abuser could occupy one of the 32 most prestigious positions in football coaching, dreadful as the Raiders are. "On only one occasion in my life have I ever touched a woman inappropriately," Cable said in a statement. "More than 20 years ago, during my first marriage, I became aware that my wife Sandy had committed adultery. I became very angry and slapped her with an open hand. What I did was wrong and I have regretted and felt sorrow about that moment ever since."Sandy Cable wasn't finished. She denied committing adultery, saying, "He constantly made accusations throughout the relationship. There was never any infidelity on my part. And he did not slap me, he punched me."
I suppose any defenders of Cable might suggest that Sandy Cable is bitter and discussing matters from two decades ago. So how would they explain the accusations of Marie Lutz? She and Cable were going out as recently as January of this year, when she showed up at his Alameda, Calif., home one morning and discovered the presence of another woman. When Lutz asked to meet the woman, according to the police report, she said Cable "grabbed her by the left arm, causing her to fall to the ground" and "eventually pick[ed] her up and pushed her out the front door." She was off next to the emergency room, where she was checked out for back pain and a contusion.
She says Cable hit her "three, four times" during their relationship. One night, she remembers him being so angry in a car after leaving a restaurant that, "I could not recognize him." Months before, Lutz said, he had grabbed her by the neck. Cable, in response, turned the tables on the messenger, saying ESPN isn't playing fair and that, while Lutz did come to his house unannounced that morning, the Alameda Police Department cleared him after he cooperated with its investigation. "I never battered her in any way," Cable said of Lutz. "It is most unfortunate that ESPN has given Ms. Lutz this forum to revisit this incident when I did nothing wrong and further chose not to provide me with an appropriate opportunity to respond." Sorry, Tom, but when you strike a woman at one point in your life, you lose all credibility when assigning blame to the media exposing you.
I suppose any defenders of Cable might suggest that Lutz was outraged by the sight of another woman. So how would they explain the documents of Cable's second wife, Glenda, who said in court papers concerning their 2008 divorce that Cable "in the past ... has been physically and verbally abusive to me." She is still receiving financial support from Cable, which may explain why she's trying to distance herself from those comments, saying in a statement, "I have known Tom Cable for more than 20 years, including 17 years of marriage. Throughout the time I have known him, Tom has never been violent to me or our children. I chose not to speak to the media before now to protect my privacy and that of my children. However, I am very troubled by what is being claimed by others, and I felt compelled to speak out about my own lengthy experience with Tom."
Never mind that just last year, she went on court record as saying he was "physically and verbally abusive." Now, suddenly, her ex is a sweetheart.
Consider it far beyond a pattern. Tom Cable either is the victim of an intense, calculated smear job -- and I've yet to hear him or his attorney remotely infer that -- or he has struck three significant women in his life. Remember how proactive Goodell was in suspending Michael Vick, the dog killer? He needs to be even more aggressive in finishing the probe of Cable and quickly announcing the punishment. I'm shocked that society in general doesn't seem to be nearly as alarmed by the domestic-abuse allegations against Cable as it was about Vick. Maybe that has to do with Vick's former status as a superstar quarterback, while Cable is a largely obscure coach with a dysfunctional franchise that is off America's radar screen. But of all the issues that have confronted Goodell -- and there have been too many to count -- this is as critical as any.
Remember how proactive Goodell was in suspending Michael Vick, the dog killer? He needs to be even more aggressive in finishing the probe of Cable and quickly announcing the punishment.
"Tom Cable's history of violence against women raises a question: Why is he still the head coach of an NFL team?" wrote Terry O'Neill, president of the National Organization for Women, in an e-mail to USA Today. "Mr. Cable admits having battered his first wife, and he stands accused of battering two other intimate partners as well. As a survivor of domestic violence, I know that women do not make such accusations lightly. Indeed, women have much more to lose than to gain by coming forward to tell their stories. The Oakland Raiders, properly, say they are undergoing a 'serious evaluation' of these recent allegations. At the very least he should be suspended during this process. ... A man who has admitted battering his wife has no business being a role model for all of us who would like to be able to look up to the head coach of an NFL football team."
Exactly.
Perhaps because no criminal charges were filed by any of the women, and perhaps because Napa authorities cited inconsistencies in Hanson's story in declining to charge Cable, the NFL is taking its time. Goodell is fortunate the Raiders aren't a premier team that receives plenty of air time. That said, this remains an ugly cloud in the league's charmed stratosphere. Just because the masses are hooked on attractive storylines -- Peyton Manning vs. Tom Brady this Sunday night, the reaffirmation of the Super Bowl-champion Steelers as a team that could repeat, the resurgence of Brett Favre, the shocking success of Cedric Benson and the Bengals, the perfect record of Drew Brees and the Saints -- doesn't mean Goodell can stall on an alleged wife-beater. Even the Raiders, the most godawful franchise in sports history, are making it clear this is horrible for public relations.
"We wish to be clear that we do not in any way condone or accept actions such as those alleged," the team said in a statement. "There have been occasions on which we have dismissed Raider employees for having engaged in inappropriate conduct."
But Al Davis, aka Darth Vader, won't be firing Cable until he's good and ready, even though he also hasn't proved himself worthy of coaching an NFL team or developing a quarterback. No, this is a job for Roger Goodell. The man has wielded his hammer on numerous players who've violated the conduct policy, and now, he must bring down a 6-foot-3, 280-pound brute.
Before he strikes again.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
11-11-2009 @ 5:47PM
Danielle said...
WOW! What an article, Mariotti.
There are obviously some very difficult decisions Mr. Goodell has to make. I wish him well in making the best choices possible.
On another tack, some life changes need to be made by Mr. Cable ( and many many other men and women.) Some good examples are made by Casey and Wendy Treat, Creflo and Taffi Dollar, Jimmy and Karen Evans ( Google for their websites) in marriage/relationship areas. Please seek help.
Also, there are many great books that are helpful in marriage/ relationship areas. The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman, Fall in Love, Stay in Love and His Needs Her Needs by Willard F. Harley, Your Wife is Not Your Momma by Wellington Boone are just a few great resources.
People want to be successful in their lives and relationships, but often don't know how to be or where to go to learn how to be. The above people and books have valuable information to help many navigate the murky waters of life n the most fruitful and productive ways.
BTW: I KNEW you were going to pick Vick today, Mariotti!
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11-11-2009 @ 6:05PM
bastion78 said...
Isn't it obvious, Tom Cable is a thug.
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11-11-2009 @ 6:45PM
reikilight said...
Funny how the media jumps on the bandwagon when someone is down and try to justify their spreading of gossip and personal agendas to sell a story. I bet there are several people out there that can spill the goods or make up some believable BS spin about You too Mariotti :) I don't doubt for one minute that Tom Cable is not a very nice guy ... but Jay ... I bet if you in the press investigated every NFL player, coach and management employee you could fill volumes and volumes of real sounding and rather sickening testimonies to what kind of people make up the NFL ... Goodell included! I am simply tired of all you Nancy Gay like scum piling on Cable ... You kick the dog while he is down all based on personal testimony from women who get more press than they deserve because you sell stories on scum level ... not truth or balance or how truthful they are and you come off playing God and judging people ... until you can make a buck selling that they aren't all that bad (Vick is a good example of that). Jay ... get off of Nancy Gay's bandwagon and write about something other than your judgments based on smut and hidden purposes. I'm not saying Cable should not be scrutinized for his behavior but Tom has a point ... he was cleared of wrong doing in Alameda of any wrong doing to a jealous ex that you people have made a viable source ... which is a fricken JOKE! I used to work in government ... and more than once I saw people go down the tubes on total BS spin because they were under a microscope and every action was blown out of proportion. Once again ... not saying Tom is some innocent angel ... but AOL/Fanhouse so called writers have become the real joke! Good to know that you are so high up that you can judge and destroy a man ... simply to sell a story. Talk about scum? You, Nancy and Blackstone have all stooped to a very low level in your judgments and perpetuation of the outing of Tom Cable. I hope he sues all your azzes and makes a bundle! Another lame story of judgment ... Hey Jay ... are you a Bush and Cheney loving conservative or what? How lame you have become!
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11-11-2009 @ 11:28PM
bastion78 said...
Wonder what you would have to say about brandon spikes
11-12-2009 @ 11:32AM
RedRover said...
Nice try brainiac. But when there's more than one person making these similar accusations, then there's something rotten going on with this guy. Perhaps you and Tom Cable can attend the same sensitivity and anger management courses.
11-15-2009 @ 6:52PM
mattl1 said...
Perhaps there is a slight dark side to him, but so what! You, your neighbor, and his neighbor etc... also have one. The main point is this:
If you have ever broken up with someone, you know full well that the reason is never as one says it is. Both have their own view and stories, yet the truth often lies somewhere in the middle. Cable's attorney was correct to point out the ambush tactics ESPN used in this original exposee/smear campaign. How can you declare balanced reporting when you go so far as to produce AND tape a whole show on this, yet only contact Cable THE DAY BEFORE IT AIRS and ask for a comment? No, not to hear his side and possibly try to present his side. Rather, to give the appearance that they "tried to contact him, but he had no comment". The point is, the guy is not canniblizing unborn fetuses. This is a HUMAN BEING, who like EVERYONE, has made mistakes in his life. You must remember one very important thing here. In EVERY instance being reported, INDEPENDANT police investigations conducted NEVER charged him with a crime! Which means that, unlike Mr. Mariotti, they did their job and realized after speaking with ALL parties involved that everyone just needs to calm down. It is not a criminal matter.
11-11-2009 @ 7:00PM
reikilight said...
PS ...
Interesting that you so clearly show your bias towards a NFL team when you called Oakland "Even the Raiders, the most godawful franchise in sports history" WTF?
Jay ... How many Superbowls have Baltimore won? How about Cleveland? Fact is the Raiders have been in FIVE Superbowls and won three of them ... so your hatred is clear but your facts way south of the truth. I am a Raider fan ... have been since the old AFL days ... and I see that their organization sucks right now ... mainly because of Al Davis ... but calling them "the most godawful franchise in sport history" is clearly biased and based on simple hatred ... and once again ... piling on and kickiing the dog while he's down. Makes you a rather screwed up person Jay ... not to mention what a lousy and biased member of a group of people who aren't suppose to let their lame biases be so obvious. You are right there with Nancy Gay ... trying to make a living out of bashing, piling on and kicking a dog while he's down ... and what does that make you Jay? FU if ya ask me!
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11-11-2009 @ 7:47PM
Philip said...
Jay, I really like your stuff and respect your opinion--I love watching you on Around the Horn. But I would like to disagree, at the risk of sounding insensitive. Cable is innocent until proven guilty. There can be any number of reasons why his second wife changed her statement--one of them being, she was lying to the court (according to a paralegal friend it happens EVERY marriage case) to get more money--and regardless, it isn't a conviction. The man has never been convicted of a crime. Now, is there enough to investigate him with a fine tooth comb? YES! Should he be canned if the allegations are true? Yes. But the pattern of alleged abuse begs for an investigation, not a termination or suspension. The man makes millions of dollars and the women could stand to gain a lot from their allegations (I know, disturbing thought, but nevertheless though a slim possibility a possibility nonetheless). Randy whatever, if you look at his past is a Raider fanatic and only made an accusation when he was demoted. The Alameda sheriff dropped the charges. End of THAT story. Should the NFL investigate? YES!!! Should they look into the entire Raiders management for obstruction of justice by lying to protoect Cable? YES!! But suspending him now?? I don't think that'd be appropriate. And let's remember, Cable admitted to a crime twenty years ago--the statute of limitations has expired, though it does not excuse his actions.
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11-12-2009 @ 1:11PM
reikilight said...
RedRover ... Who's the brainiac? Convict Cable and slander him daily in the press BEFORE the investigation is over is RedRover kind of justice? Sorry but you sound like someone who needs some help yourself! Lets look at Your logic ... if more than one person says there is a problem then there is one? Hmmm ... I heard RedRover is a violent womanizing jerk and that he should be investigated and fired before the investigation is done ... and everyday that the investigation is going on the press should write stories about how terrible you are based on what I say and one other person who thinks you should be convicted and seek help for your destructive attitude and ways! What a lame defense for kicking the dog while he's down!
Brandon Spikes seems to fit the mold for an NFL linebacker ... gouge an opponents eyes? Sounds like NFL mentality to me! It is a joke to buy into the NFL's PR BS spin media spin that the NFL is somehow nice and their players sweet and balanced guys ... it is a very violent sport and to make it to the NFL you have to not only be huge, strong and quick ... but also an animal. To act like these guys are just big teddy bears is as stupid as it gets!
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11-12-2009 @ 6:03PM
reikilight said...
Here is the credibility of Cable's ex-girlfriend Marie Lutz going up in smoke ...
Carol Cable, the coach's current wife, issued a statement to the show that said she was the woman in his house at the time and saw the incident, although she told police that she never saw Lutz.
"I was present at Tom's house when Marie Lutz came to the house in January of this year. At approximately 5 a.m., we heard someone pounding very loudly on the front door and ringing the doorbell over and over again. When Tom opened the door, Ms. Lutz told him she needed to talk to him, that she needed his help, and begged him to let her into the house. After she entered the house, the two of them had a verbal exchange. At no time did Tom commit any act of violence toward her. After not getting what she wanted from Tom, Ms. Lutz screamed at Tom "I am going to ruin your [expletive deleted] life and I am going to ruin your [expletive deleted] career if it is the last thing I ever do."
This is credible enough for Jay to use in asking for Cable to be suspended BEFORE the investigation is done? Give me a break! Sensationalism gone wild and a mass effort that Jay has joined in on simply to thrash Cable and the Raiders. What's wrong Jay ... Chicago's lonely one Superbowl win are somehow grounds to call the Raiders "the most godawful franchise in sports history"? Sorry Jay ... you are looking like a hack of a writer about now.
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11-15-2009 @ 7:46PM
Roger Reikilight said...
So Jay ... You have this one wrong yet do you admit it like a man? Nope! You continue you biased BS and act like somehow the trash you write about Cable is justified ... and why would that be other than you are a low life quasi internet reporter who has no class. The Raiders are having an awful year ... mostly because of Russell not being able to hit the broad side of a barn with a forward pass and an offensive line that is injured and floundering ... and because they are delegated to having to have a second class head coach because no coach with any kind of scruples will coach for meddling Al Davis ... but that doesn't mean hanging Cable for hearsay and innuendo shows any class at all. I used to think you had some class Jay ... but dwelling on your bias and hatred for an NFL team seems rather screwed up on your part and a sign of no class at all. I hope ESPN fires your lying azz and Cable sues it!
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11-16-2009 @ 8:45AM
khraider said...
my wife and i contemplated a divorce a few years ago but when her lawyer demanded she accuse me of spousal and child abuse she refused to continue.the lawyer said it is standard practice regardless of the facts.if he did it he's scum.GO RAIDERS
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