Steelers union rep Ramon Foster sees new Personal Conduct Policy as disciplining on a scale

PITTSBURGH -- Offensive guard Ramon Foster, the Pittsburgh Steelers' player representative, believes the league needs standardized punishment for those who violate the NFL's revised Personal Conduct Policy.

Foster spoke Wednesday after practice after the NFL's owners unanimously approved the policy.

"Now, the big issue is disciplining guys on a scale and not off of emotions, in a sense,'' Foster said. "That's a real big issue that we have to get resolved, because guys might have the same (violation), but different punishment."

"And it can be based off an emotional (response), and you need to have a standardized section for it because we all know what happened with the (Ray) Rice thing and the (Adrian) Peterson thing.''

The NFL has had a formal policy and program addressing off-field conduct since 1997 that was enhanced in 2007. The revised policy significantly builds on the foundation of the previous programs after lengthy discussions the past four months.

"With considerable assistance from the many people and organizations we consulted, NFL ownership has endorsed an enhanced policy that is significantly more robust, thorough and formal,'' NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said.

"We now have a layered evaluation process to take into account a diversity of expert views. This will better enable us to make appropriate decisions and ensure accountability for everyone involved in the process.''

Foster believed that he and his assistant rep, center Maurkice Pouncey, will be involved in a conference call to further discuss the latest changes in the policy.

"It's got to be fair for the players, but it's also got to be strict in the sense where guys understand we can't have foolish things going on in this league,'' Foster said. "But double jeopardy for a player in Baltimore, with the Rice thing, that can't happen. There also can't be a one-person voice as far as discipline.''

That still falls on Goodell. While a committee will determine the discipline for any scofflaw, Goodell has the final call in the appeals process.

"That's a good part of it, but at the end of the day it's the NFL,'' Foster added. "They've got all the power, (and) they make their own rules, committee or not."

"Whatever rules they make, abide by them. You can't sit there and argue and say you don't want this, because it's not going to change. Every level of sport you've been in there's been rules.''

And now for the NFL, they're much more definitive.