TODAY

The Dallas Cowboys’ cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones is in the headlines yet again – not for something he did on the football field, but for the fact that he just cannot seem to stay out of trouble.

Earlier this month, Jones reportedly got into a fight with one of his security guards at a downtown Dallas hotel, according to ESPN. The confrontation was said to be alcohol-related.

Now suspended by the league for at least four games without pay (the length of suspension is still pending), Jones is looking at entering an alcohol treatment facility.

Since he was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in 2005, Jones has been involved in at least 12 off-the-field incidents and arrested six times, according to ESPN.

Such incidents include being involved in a drug trafficking ring, being arrested and charged with public drunkenness and disorderly conduct, a felony charge related to a strip club shooting which left a bouncer paralyzed, and being accused of spitting in the face of a Tennessee State student following a verbal exchange at a downtown nightclub.

Why hasn’t this guy been banned from playing in the National Football League yet? At what point does NFL commissioner Roger Goodell say enough is enough, and throw him out of the league? What more will it take? A dozen incidents in three years speaks for itself.

I fear that the NFL is setting a dangerous precedent here if it does not kick Jones out of the league.

Jones has plenty of talent, enough to make him one of the league’s top cornerbacks when he has his head on straight, which doesn’t seem to happen too often.

Jones was suspended for 17 months, including the entire 2007 season, and was reinstated by Goodell at the beginning of the 2008 season. According to ESPN, Goodell said a lifetime ban remains a possibility. Unfortunately, it’s probably going to take one more instance of Jones screwing up before we see that.

He’s not only hurting himself, but also his team and the NFL, which gives the league a black eye with this negative publicity.

The alcohol treatment should be mandatory. It is clear that Jones, as talented as he is, needs as much guidance as he can get. Former Cowboys cornerback Deion Sanders is mentoring Jones, who can apply for reinstatement after four games.

Jones dropped the nickname “Pacman” before the season started, and wanted to be referred to by his real name, Adam. For a second, we got the impression that he wanted to turn things around. Back in June, he said, “There’s really just a lot of negativity behind it. It’s just time for a change, man. I’m doing everything to make sure that I’m all right as a person, mentally and emotionally.”

Apparently not.

Kyle Kershner can be reached at [email protected]