Jets DL Sheldon Richardson may be disciplined over profanity-laden video

ByRich Cimini ESPN logo
Monday, December 19, 2016

Troubled defensive end Sheldon Richardson faces possible discipline from the New York Jets after making a profanity-laced Snapchat video in the locker room before Saturday night's loss to the Miami Dolphins-- a game in which he served as a captain.

In the seven-second video, Richardson uses four expletives, including a derogatory comment about women. With teammate Rontez Miles standing in the background, Richardson, using Miles' Snapchat account, appears to say, "Don't f--- this guy."

Coach Todd Bowles, made aware of the video late Sunday morning, was appalled by Richardson's comments. He said he will meet "very soon" with him to discuss it.

Bowles didn't rule out in-house discipline.

"We'll take care of it here," he said. "That's not something we condone or we encourage. That's unacceptable."

Asked if he was "disturbed" that a player would behave that way before a game, Bowles replied, "It was disturbing that it was said at all."

Bowles said he had no problem with Richardson's effort in the game. He played 45 of 48 defensive snaps -- more than any defensive lineman -- but managed only two tackles and one quarterback hit.

"Sheldon plays hard," Bowles said. "His inappropriate comments should have never been said. It's inexcusable, but he plays hard."

Richardson has a history of transgressions.

The twice-suspended defensive end, a first-round pick in 2013, was benched for one quarter earlier this season. He said it was because he showed up late for a team meeting, but it was because of multiple team infractions, sources said.

That came a few days after it was revealed that the Jets shopped Richardson before the Nov. 1 trading deadline, speaking to the Dallas Cowboys, among other teams.

Richardson was upset the team tried to move him, sources said. Some believe that soured his attitude and could be contributing to his disappointing season -- only 1 1/2 sacks in 13 games.

He was suspended by the NFL for the opener, a personal conduct violation stemming from an arrest in July 2015. He pleaded guilty for resisting arrest after leading police on a high-speed chase in suburban St. Louis. His Bentley was clocked at 143 mph, and he was driving with a child in the car, police said.

Richardson served a four-game suspension at the start of the 2015 season for multiple marijuana violations.

The Jets almost certainly will try to trade Richardson, the 2013 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, in the offseason. He has one year remaining on his rookie contract and is due to make $8.1 million.

He spoke briefly to reporters after Saturday night's game, responding mostly with "no comment." The interview session lasted less than two minutes, and he complained about having to return to the locker room to fulfill his league-mandated media obligation.

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