Tom Lewand receives harsher sentence from NFL than the Michigan judicial system

Written by Al Beaton | 30 July 2010

The NFL has issued a judgment on the Tom Lewand DUI case. The league came down harder on the Lions' president than the State of Michigan ever thought of doing.

Lewand got slapped by Roger Goodell's pimp hand.

Via the Detroit Free Press:

In a letter to Lewand today, Commissioner Goodell said that, in addition to a total financial sanction of $100,000, Lewand will be suspended from his duties with the Lions beginning August 25. During the 30-day suspension, he may not attend or otherwise represent the Lions at the August 25 league meeting in Atlanta, may not be present at the Lions' facilities, may not attend games, and is not permitted to represent the Lions publicly other than at specified community service activities focused on alcohol abuse and safe driving. Lewand will submit a proposed plan of community service, which may include initiatives in conjunction with MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving), which earlier this year entered into a partnership with the NFL to combat drunk driving.

30 days off is bad enough. But a $100K fine and having to deal with the angry mothers of MADD? I'm not sure which is worse...

If you remember, Lewand copped a plea with the Roscommon County prosecutor. His sentence was minimal, six months' probation and a $532 fine or serve 60 days in county lockup. The fine and court costs totaled a relatively minuscule $870.

At the time, I said the NFL would be much more likely to make Lewand pay, and pay heavily.

Legally, Leward is now breathing easy. Professionally, I'm sure he's still holding his breath.

I have a feeling NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell will drop the suspension hammer on Lewand with the fury of the gods.

Goodell has a strong pimp hand, and going by the relatively harsh ruling, he's not afraid to use it.

With Ndamukong Suh and Jahvid Best still unsigned, you have to wonder how this news affects the ongoing negotiations. Lewand has less than a month to cross the t's and dot the i's. I doubt it will take that long to get Suh and Best into camp, but if there wasn't a sense of urgency before...there sure as Hell is now.