Colts Tried to Save Money By Suspending Trent Richardson for Conduct Detrimental, After His Pregnant Girlfriend Went to Hospital

The Indianapolis Colts reportedly suspended Trent Richardson for conduct detrimental to the team after his girlfriend went to the hospital with pregnancy complications, experiencing contractions and early signs of labor at 28 weeks. It happened early Saturday morning and he missed the team walkthrough on Saturday, and the team’s chartered flight.

The Colts issued a two-game suspensions, which is a big deal because it would (if appropriate) allow them to void the guaranteed money on the rest of his deal and walk away from him without further cost. As I addressed when that news came out, it would appear to be a pre textual reason to impose a longer suspension to save money.

If this is the real reason, the Colts should be raked over the proverbial coals. While there is no clear guidance of what constitutes conduct detrimental, as the article notes, it has been used in cases such as criminal acts or in the Richie Incognito bullying case. Here, we have a player that was de-activated the previous week missing a walkthrough and flight because he was at the hospital because of the potential birth (and high risk birth at that) of a child.

Let’s face it: Trent Richardson’s real “conduct detrimental” was not being good at football and costing the Colts a first round pick. This suspension was an effort to save a little money on that mistake.