Lawsuit against Dallas Cowboys' owner Jerry Jones could have no ruling due Jones' legal defense citing the expiration of statute of limitations, and not the validity of sexual assault charges

A report done by the Associated Press today has it that Ms. Jana Weckerly alleges an incident in 2009 at a dalls hotel in which Jerry Jones (Owner of Cowboys) groped and forced her to do things she did not want her to do. She claims that Jones had grabbed her genitals and was kissing her without consent.  Another claim is that Jerry Jones, the Cowboys and attorney for Jerry Jones, Levi McCathern have attempted to pay her hush money for the last four years. Weckerly stated that she can provide proof that the payments occured from her bank records via her bank account receiving payments from Jones, though no proof was provided as of yet.   She is also making the claim that the Cowboys organization, Jerry Jones and a long standing lawyer for Jones were involved in stealing her cell phone's memory card in order to leak and upload possible embarrasing or detrimental photos to hinder her case. Jones, the Cowboys and McCathern have denied any and all allegations made thus far.

ESPN's Cowboys reporter Todd Archer clarifies that the media stir about the story began to rise during the beginning of training camp. During Cowboys training camp sessions there were pictures released with friends of Weckerly who were seen in the company of Jones, which started a heap of new stories and went viral. Apparently the Cowboys organization has known about the photos of the incident for some time. The organization was also briefed on the lawsuit last week that could potentially be coming. Levi McCathern states they will be taking legal action of their own. The new

legal proceedings that have now formed may not hold due to the statue of limitations of either civil case regarding sexual assault or a case of civil conspiracy which both have already passed/expired at five and two years respectively.

Weckerly's attorney, Thomas Bowden, states that alleged payments to Ms. Weckerly were a plot to intimidate her from going to the police or the courts for a solution before the statutes of limitations had expired. Bowden also stated during the proceedings "Who is my client to go against a billion-dollar man?...She just did what she was told, judge." Jones' lawyer, McCathern, during the early legal proceedings made the argument that there was no hush money given and even if there was, it wouldn't constitute 'being under duress' for not filing the lawsuit before the statue of limitations had ended. McCathern made a statement in response stating that this  is "nothing more than attempt to embarrasess and extort the Cowboy's owner". A police statement regarding the event from Dallas police spokesman claimed that he could not confirm whether or not the assault was reported. The lawsuit is also short on details as no location of the event nor the date were listed or specified. More light will be shed and certainly more news cameras as the next hearing will take place on October 16th, where Ms. Weckerly will be seeking recompense for damages at over one million dollars.

References:
http://espn.go.com/dallas/nfl/story/_/id/11594094/attorneys-dallas-cowboys-owner-jerry-jones-argue-assault-claim-filed-too-late

http://espn.go.com/dallas/nfl/story/_/id/11584093/accuser-alleges-jerry-jones-dallas-cowboys-paid-silence

Photography/ Image Courtesy:

Jerry Jones (Top): Hail Merry

Jerry Jones (Bottom): Algorhythm Labs

The Bad, Ugly and a touch of Good: The Paradigm That Is The NFL/ ESPN Wishy-Washy See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil Policy With Respect To Public Image and Profitable Partnerships

A tornado of accusations, pending trials, videos, pictures and massive media targeting has left a dizzying and harmful impact on the NFL's image this season. Even worse, NFL leaders across the league seem hellbent on a downplay to miraculous catharsis (funnelled by public outrage) ending with unclear, impartial and vague official responses as a gameplan. Fans, reporters and outside onlookers might be fooled into believing that they are watching a terrible horror movie on the SciFi channel. Even on this week's South Park, Roger Goodell was referenced as being a  broken machine spitting out useless words in the midst of a crisis. It seems the best way to get the changes echoed throughout public interests is to threaten deep pockets via public outrage (Sponsorships and Partner Companies/ Corporations; E.G. Radisson Hotel Chain dropping the Vikings). Despite the see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil theme employed by the NFL's containment crew, this theme has also been a gameplan for ESPN who faced an integrity crisis just one year ago while covering the NFL's concussion ordeal.

Even the Ombudsman of ESPN, Robert Lipsyte (Longstanding New York Times Reporter, former correspondent of CBS Sunday Morning and NBC Nightly News) is torn between heralding media coverage to shed light and public awareness of NFL domestic violence recurrences and that of last year's scandal involving ESPN journalism backing out due to pressure from the NFL for aiding in the PBS Documentary "League of Denial". ESPN president John Skipper removed his organization from a 15 month relationship with PBS in fear of losing a mutli billion dollar NFL deal. Skipper would eventually call the documentary 'sensationalism' with experts whom he believed mispresented facts. Skipper's decision placed ESPN under negative press as Jay McMillian, reporter for the Goose Creek, South Carolina area, likened ESPN journalistic integrity to TMZ or Mad Magazine. ESPN's Skipper states that there was no pressure from NFL Commissioner Goodell; the statement was much to the contrast of a New York Times report implicating Skipper and ESPN's appeasement to the pro football juggernaut.

This next part is going to sound familar and a paradigm to the struggles facing the NFL in leu of violent misconduct and behavior. ESPN removed their brand from PBS along with Skipper statements that tried to downplay the ESPN-PBS joint documentary project. The problem was however, ESPN's Skipper and PBS's President Paula Kerger were jointly at the helm of an Aspens Ideas Festival panel just a couple years back where John Skipper personally stated "We're not the public trust that PBS is, but we do a certain amount of programming that is a bit of the public trust." While on the documentary's promotional tour ESPN Journalist Dwayne Bray proudly commented that “the NFL is just going to have to understand" with regards to ESPN-PBS's "FrontLine" relationship. As the ESPN network pulled away only a few short weeks before the airing of "League of Denial", they made use of promoting two ESPN reporter's books regarding the documentary along with an article in ESPN magazine both contradictory to Skipper's previous appallment with the documentary but clearly under Skipper's approval. Many claimed that such a move was to save journalistic face but many more contend that it was another baneful example of the calculus of marketing/ profitability.

While ESPN has previously been appeasing to their largest network provider, the NFL, they are slowly regaining their journalistic integrity it appears. Indeed, the tables have seemed to turn as ESPN journalists break more stories on NFL related violences this season.  A new article by Robert Lipsyte this week shows the bad and the ugly paradigm of ESPN journalism referencing his earlier posts about ESPN's journalistic integrity and direction while stating the good done via the exposure of the Ray Rice scandal. Though one has to wonder if such a resurgeance in protecting the integrity of the game via ESPN journalism is just an opportunistic way to cash in on the unexpected growing stock of holistic integrity this fall. That may seem harsh, nevertheless, it is a strategy which was used by ESPN just one year ago to advantageously play both sides of the fence.

References:

http://espn.go.com/blog/ombudsman/post/_/id/96/was-espn-sloppy-naive-or-compromised

http://espn.go.com/blog/ombudsman/post/_/id/176/winning-ugly-espn-journalism-prevails

http://espn.go.com/blog/ombudsman/post/_/id/453/espn-flexes-journalistic-muscle-on-rice

Photography/ Image Courtesy:

Roger Goodell Today Show Concussion and Traumatic Brain Injury Research: The U.S. Army

Frontline 'League of Denial' Peabody Award: Peabody Awards

Visualization of NFL Head Injuries: Jer Thorp

Terrifying Sight: John Martinez Pavliga

Power Rankings Contend Oakland Raiders Are The Best Of The Worst This Season

A couple of lighter stories this week in the NFL made headlines for certain teams. A nice piece done by Jeff Legwold, Denver Broncos Reporter and member of Pro Football Hall of Fame Board of Selectors, entailed in a comedic tone of how Broncos Head Coach John Fox will be taking the bye week in stride and with no golfing. While during last year's bye week, Fox needed an aortic valve replaced when he fell ill while golfing in Charlotte, NC. An incident which left the Broncos without their mastermind for four weeks last season. Though, the best of the worst stories this week would have to be the Oakland Raiders and their silver lining through an already cloudy season. Just ask Bill Williamson, ESPN reporter for the Raiders.

After a hard fought loss to New England, power rankings via ESPN have Oakland as the best of the only three remaining win-less teams. Even better, in the hearts of hopeful Raiders fans, is that Oakland will be facing off against Miami Dolphins (1-2) whom are also off to a shaky start, going in the wrong direction after consecutive losses.

Raiders and Dolphins are set to do battle across the pond in London, UK at Wembley Stadium this Sunday. The match-up could make for a interesting and close scrap, as both teams are fighting to stay relevant in this season's playoff picture.

Photography/ Image Courtesy:

Raider Nation: Nathan Jongewaard

Dolphins Vs. Raiders: June Rivera

Wembley Stadium (Daytime): Daniel

Wembley Stadium (Nighttime): Vtravelled.com