In the NFL last season, Tennesee Titans defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth received a five-game suspension for stepping on the head of an opponent. I should mention the opponent was not wearing a helmet, and Haynesworth was wearing cleats. That was a record punishment for on-field conduct. Now keep in mind that five games is more than 25% of a football season.
In the NBA, Ron Artest’s eighty-five game suspension in 2004-05 is best-in-class. He earned this distinction for fighting with fans in Detroit.
In baseball, Pete Rose – later banned for life for gambling – took thirty games off in 1988 for shoving an umpire. In 1977, Lenny Randle punched his manager in the face and also got thirty games.
