APHours after he was arrested for driving under the influence, Bernard Pierce has been cut by the Ravens.
The Ravens released a brief statement this afternoon confirming that they have released Pierce, a running back who has played his entire three-year career in Baltimore.
The move comes as no surprise, as the Ravens have had an unwritten policy of cutting players who get into off-field trouble. Two other players who found themselves in legal trouble this offseason, Terrence Cody and Victor Hampton, were both promptly cut.
After taking widespread criticism last year for their response to the Ray Rice domestic violence arrest, the Ravens have tried to position themselves as a team that doesn’t tolerate players getting into legal trouble. Cody and Hampton both found that out the hard way, and now so has Pierce.
The real test, however, will come when or if a star player gets arrested. Cody, Hampton and Pierce are all players the Ravens can live without. If a player who’s better on the field gets into trouble off the field, the Ravens may not be so quick to sever ties.
660K in cap savings.
why did they never cut suggs or lewis???
The draft this year is flush with good running backs. They were probably going in that direction anyway.
Ravens cut Bernard then sign Ray Rice. sike
No Sympathy. No excuse for drinking and driving.
“The move comes as no surprise, as the Ravens have had an unwritten policy of cutting players who get into off-field trouble.”
Unless, you know, they’re players who aren’t completely replaceable.
“Ravens cut Bernard Pierce after DUI and terrible season”
There, fixed it for you. If he had Justin Forsett’s year last year, we wouldn’t be having this conversation.
What a shocker about being cut! Tell your friends tell your friends!!!
All this morality being thrown around the Ravens f.o., where does that leave Suggs?
….lets see what happens if Joe Flacco gets into any trouble.
I can only imagine that this DUI came on the heels of St. Patty’s Day celebrations?!
I hate the “we’ll see what happens when a good player gets in trouble” argument because it’s not as simple as that. Forget the player’s actual performance – cutting players making a lot of money absolutely destroys a team’s cap. See Ray Rice’s effect this year on Baltimore. Ravens, Steelers, Patriots, whoever – why should any NFL team punish itself for years to come because one of its players acted a fool? If this “no nonsense” attitude that the Ravens have implemented is expected of teams, there should be language in the CBA releasing teams from cap hell for cutting players who get arrested. (I understand the NFLPA would never let that happen, but hopefully you understand this argument.)
You just hope the word is out and off field troubles will not be tolerated. Go Ravens!
You were saying steeler fans? Isn’t Antwon Blake sill on your roster?
An absolute travesty that a young man can make a mistake but not be convicted of a crime before losing his job. The NFL is bowing to pressure of ignorant NFL drive by fans and a foaming at the mouth media constantly looking for ways to basht he league. Absoutely disgusting.
Attn: NFL players. Stay out of bars and nightclubs.
I knew that was coming. Why can’t these dudes call a cab? They have all sorts of money. Makes no sense.
It’s easy to cut bums. Not only did they have to be dragged kicking and screaming to the edge of ruin before cutting Rice (also a bum, unbeknownst to the Ravens apparently), they spent weeks praising him and slandering the victim.
And the NFL once again sends the strong message that breaking the law will not be tolerated. If you are an under performing third stringer. And won’t cause too much dead money against the cap.
The Trolling PFT does of the Ravens is insane. We stay winning though. (Sips Tea)
Joe Flacco DUI: Let’s see what happens then.
If this was Flacco he’d still be here, and I’m being honest.
Hopefully this is a sign that my home town team has taken a tougher stance on this type of stupidity. The last three Ravens to get in trouble have all been cut.
Pierce has potential, another team will sign him.
It was a stupid move to drink and drive, and he knew the minute he was pulled over he’d be gone..
Welcome to your new home, Melvin Gordon
Bye Bernard.
I sensed trouble was coming for him following his tweets. And lo behold… trouble.
Moral of the story…if you can afford to pay a towncar driver to drive you around…don’t drive drunk.
Waiting to see all the white suit/ray lewis comments, even if he did kill someone, his side was ruled in self defense
no one cuts Bernard Pierce and gets away with it! no one!
What if Flacco got arrested?
The All-DUI team!
Aldon Smith DE, Andrew Jackson LB, Tim Jennings CB, Jabari Price CB, Da’Rick Rodgers WR, Spencer Ware RB, Alan Branch DT, Josh Gordon WR, John Abraham DE, Sean Smith CB, Orson Charles FB, Fred Davis TE, Spencer Ware RB, and Erin Henderson LB.
That from 2014 onward. Couple of funny things. Mostly second tier players (no money to pay for a limo?) And more defense than offense, guess the D likes to “hit” the bottle more?
Lucky for them they don’t have any star players. Crisis averted!
Leggo Todd Gurley!
“The real test, however, will come when or if a star player gets arrested. Cody, Hampton and Pierce are all players the Ravens can live without. If a player who’s better on the field gets into trouble off the field, the Ravens may not be so quick to sever ties.”
That’s how things are done. Not every facet of life is fair. Highly skilled and productive players will get shown favoritism, it happens all the time.
cornellsteelers says:
Mar 18, 2015 2:48 PM
“The move comes as no surprise, as the Ravens have had an unwritten policy of cutting players who get into off-field trouble.”
Unless, you know, they’re players who aren’t completely replaceable.
3 0
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That’s known in the league as The Roethlisberger Effect
HockeyKrishna, you forgot Donte Stallworth.
Also, shouldn’t biscotti be building a statue for Pearce
The ravens will draft a rb in the 3rd-4th round of this upcoming draft.
This should serve as a warning to every easily dispensable raven. Lorenzo taliaferro should just stay home and lock his doors.
Pierce*
Last Ravens player to leave, please turn off the lights.
Call a cab!
Pittsburgh….your on the clock!
This year’s roster is shaping up to be Flacco and 21 rookies, from either BYU or Baylor.
Meanwhile Ray Lewis gets a statue.
You will be well received in Oakland Pierce…
This has been the longest Super Bowl hangover in the history of the nfl. They’re all still partying like they’re going to disneyland.
TIME AFTER TIME?? HOW?? Look.. I make around 70k a year. I am not cheap, I feel you should live life and spend money, but just don’t be an idiot about it. I EASILY can take cabs from where I am. $20-$50 who cares? These guys make so much damn money, how are they so cheap and stupid? I’ll never understand it. TAKE A DAMN CAB OR LIMO for a night! This cost him prob over 1mil dollars vs spending under $100. Unreal….
What did Ray Lewis do beside a petty obstruction of justice charge 15 years ago?
@Truedirk
Did Ray Lewis do something to you? Was it too bad he flourished after his obstruction of justice charge and conviction? Is it a shame he played on to be one of the best linebackers ever in the game? Or was it a shame that he didn’t do it for your team?
Yes he made a mistake. He did everything he could to change himself, his image, and who he was in this world. But let’s not celebrate those who fall and get up again. Let’s not recognize those who really overcome their own stupidity and make something of themselves. Let’s keep down a person who has dedicated much of his success to helping others not to make the same mistakes.
Statue? Why not? He earned it!
What a valiant move by the ever classy Ravens. Cutting a RB who’s well past him prime. Funny the same rules don’t apply to their star players.
Watchdog says:
Mar 18, 2015 2:53 PM
An absolute travesty that a young man can make a mistake but not be convicted of a crime before losing his job.
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Garbage logic. The travesty is that the young man felt as though he was entitled to jeopardize the lives of those around him by driving drunk. That is either due to arrogance, laziness or stupidity.
Really, when will these guys learn? The Air Force has a policy where one (1) DUI for an officer is your last in the military. As a young enlisted airman the got a second chance. For an officer they are held to a higher standard- career over.
bunkmcnulty your absolutely right. This Ray Lewis is thing is done and over with. Ray became a man, owning up to his mistake and moved on to be a great human being, father and businessman. An incredible leader too! Helping his team mates and other players along the way to do the right thing. Ray wisely invested his money, unlike, the large amount of players going broke after five years in retirement.
Well past his prime?!? Pierce is young isn’t he?
goodellisruiningtheleague said:
“Also, shouldn’t biscotti be building a statue for Pearce”
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Why would an Italian dessert build a statue for the Orioles’ Steve Pearce?
Lifetime Steelers fan.
I have never had any love for the Ravens, always considered them classless and dirty. However I like the recent stand they are taking on bad off field behavior. I do hope that they are prepared to do the same if one of the “big” players gets in trouble. These players need to realize that playing in the NFL is a privilege, not a right.
I hope the rest of league follows suit.
You were saying steeler fans? Isn’t Antwon Blake sill on your roster?
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He never stepped foot in a car. Public intoxication and driving under the influence are two entirely different things.
It only took them ten years to get around to parting ways with Ray Lewis, and only when he felt he couldn’t play anymore
anonymousraven1 says:
Mar 18, 2015 2:51 PM
I hate the “we’ll see what happens when a good player gets in trouble” argument because it’s not as simple as that. Forget the player’s actual performance – cutting players making a lot of money absolutely destroys a team’s cap. See Ray Rice’s effect this year on Baltimore. Ravens, Steelers, Patriots, whoever – why should any NFL team punish itself for years to come because one of its players acted a fool? If this “no nonsense” attitude that the Ravens have implemented is expected of teams, there should be language in the CBA releasing teams from cap hell for cutting players who get arrested. (I understand the NFLPA would never let that happen, but hopefully you understand this argument.)
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Of course we understand this argument because it’s basically the same. Our argument is “bad player gets in trouble and gets cut because the team doesn’t need him, good player stays because they do need him”
Your argument is “bad (or cheap) player gets cut because the team doesn’t need him and can afford to cut him, good player stays because cutting him would destroy our cap and we need him”.
In both cases, the decision to cut or not to cut is strictly related to the business of football and has little or nothing to with morality.
Which was the point.
You were saying steeler fans? Isn’t Antwon Blake sill on your roster?
Even the most brilliant Ravens fan should know the distinction between dui and drunk in public…..shouldn’t they….oh wait a Steeler is involved….ok they won’t admit to it.
Ray Lewis deserves a statue…..only a sick fan base in Baltimore will buy that….everyone just laughs at the statue and the people bowing down to a criminal.
Nofoolnodrool says:
“Ray Lewis deserves a statue…..only a sick fan base in Baltimore will buy that….everyone just laughs at the statue and the people bowing down to a criminal.”
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And what happens if the Steelers put up a statue of Ben after he retires? Does the pot call the kettle black then?
why did they never cut suggs or lewis???
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Why didn’t the Steelers cut Big Ben when he was accused of rape in a bathroom with an underage girl? Or James Harrison, when he beat the crap out of his girlfriend (ahh, but that was ok, because it wasn’t on camera).
I think we all know the answer to that question.
“If a player who’s better on the field gets into trouble off the field, the Ravens may not be so quick to sever ties.”
Remember last year when they cut their star running back because of his legal troubles?
nofool relax…don’t force us to Google your Steeler past. Seems old #86 had a DUI without even researching that. Despite this terrible run, this is not just a Ravens problem.
Nofool I will stand by my statue comment any day and back it up all day long. What is sick is that you do not have facts to justify an argument against it.
What’s truly sad is the lack of impartiality by homers like you. Yes, I hate the Steelers but I give the great ones their due. Sadly, you blow up a man’s mistake and call anyone who defines the recovery and success he made in his life after his mistake as “sick.”
Sick, is being stuck mentally into one solitary view that lacks objectivity.
blkdogcreative says:
Mar 18, 2015 2:53 PM
Attn: NFL players. Stay out of bars and nightclubs.
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No. Just don’t go there in your own freaking car. you know, take a cab. or, because they are rich, hire a limo. seriously, it’s not that difficult. If I can do it on my salary, I’m pretty sure they can afford to not be idiots.
The real test is whether the team erect a statute in honor of you.
“…everyone just laughs at the statue and the people bowing down to a criminal.”
You need to get out more and meet a few more people to expand your view of “everyone”. Captain Morgan and his imaginary unicorns don’t count.
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Why didn’t the Steelers cut Big Ben when he was accused of rape in a bathroom with an underage girl? Or James Harrison, when he beat the crap out of his girlfriend (ahh, but that was ok, because it wasn’t on camera).
I think we all know the answer to that question.
No we don’t all know because teams are dumb enough to cut anyone just because they are accused……and only accused!
You seem to have forgotten about Suggs, but that is what Raven fans do.
While the Steelers like Ben but the if about a statue is about as remote as the if Ray Lewis finds the white suit….ain’t going to happen.
He wasn’t any good. He was just excess baggage.
I’m not a Ravens fan, but they are quickly climbing my ladder towards the top. Loving how their organization has been 0 tolerance as of late. These players are supposed to be role models for our children and should be held to a high standard as well as be held accountable. The world would be a better place if things like this we’re done by more. Kudos to the Baltimore Ravens and a tip of the hat.
Shame they cant pay these guys enough to afford a cab
At this rate Baltimore won’t be able to field a team …
I understand the microscope they’re under now after Ray Rice etc., but to cut a player loose for DWI, without trying to help the player vis-a-vis counselling etc. Seems a bit drastic. Not a Ravens fan by any means, but I hope this isn’t the latest trend in the NFL.
Every team treats stars differently than the replaceable players, and always has. The Steelers admitted this years ago when keeping James Harrison while cutting poor useless Cedric Wilson. I’m not dumping on the Steelers, they did what every team does, but Yinzers should not pretend their team is any different.
What no one has mentioned is that players don’t even need to spend their own money to get a cab – the NFLPA arranges for free cabs for all players in these situations.
Can he gain 3 yards falling face forward drunk? Because he cant do the same on the playing field.
so long bern, sorry to see it end like this. thanks for your contributions, especially in your rookie year.
duke johnson round 3.
First of all RAY LEWIS IS AN AMERICAN HERO! AN ICON! Don’t you EVER!!!
Pierce is not a Raven! He gave up! He gave IN!
I knew that was coming. Why can’t these dudes call a cab? They have all sorts of money. Makes no sense.
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Why do people say this??? THEY ARE FRIGGING DRUNK!!! This is why they don’t call a cab. Sheesh.
The last paragraph of this post is the salient point and question going forward.
the NFL is very hypocritical they should cut every player who screws up instead of just wrist slapping the franchise guys
First of all RAY LEWIS IS AN AMERICAN HERO! AN ICON! Don’t you EVER!!!
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I suppose you have posters on your walls of OJ, Hernandez, Sharper, Sapp, etc….Got it.
Pierce was in harbaugh’s doghouse and he was just waiting for a reason to cut him.
Also doesn’t help that Pierce plays the easiest position to replace in the NFL. it aint a running back league.
It won’t be a loss since he wasn’t going to play much anyway. But it’s another position they now need depth for… In addition to a ton of other holes they haven’t even tried to fill yet.
The PR machine rolls on.
Harbaugh doesn’t tolerate this kind of stuff. He wanted to cut Rice the instant he heard about the elevator incident.
i don’t like my nfl players because they’re law abiding citizens that make good role models
im sick of the media’s never ending witch hunt to make the NFL and the teams look bad over minor issues
i want my players to run fast, play hard, and win. frankly i couldn’t care less what they do off the field as long as they perform well on it
I never understand how some of these athletes that are pulling in 650k at the least and knowing very well that if you get caught, you are gone. The fact that Pierce said to the cop that by getting a ticket, he will be cut. So he knew and took that chance. I would think after seeing 2 fellow teammates getting cut for off field issues would have been a deterrent. Can’t fix stupid.
Apparently he told the police while he was being hauled away to jail that he was going to get cut the next day….then added “Not that you care.” Why should they care. He was the one who was driving DUI, not the police. Why is it the police’s fault that you are dumber than a box of dumb rocks? If he had a little brains he would have called a cab….or someone to drive him home. It’s not like he’s making minimum wage and can’t afford it.
#smh
iamedreed says:
Mar 18, 2015 6:49 PM
i don’t like my nfl players because they’re law abiding citizens that make good role models
im sick of the media’s never ending witch hunt to make the NFL and the teams look bad over minor issues
i want my players to run fast, play hard, and win. frankly i couldn’t care less what they do off the field as long as they perform well on it
………………………………………………………………………..
Yea and didn’t Larry Little kill someone while drunk driving along with Stallworth? I am all for the guys buying Bentleys and having fun but the line is drawn when running people over with their Bentleys or killing other teammates.. DUI usually never affects the driver but risk killing innocent people, so yea its sort of a big deal.
Yes! Finally a team that gets it!
Players just don’t realize that it is a privilege, NOT a right, to play in the NFL. Just like in real life, if a player gets into legal trouble, the NFL/team should be able to fire him.
I only wish that NFL teams could cut players that get into legal trouble, without ANY cap ramifications.
IF that were to happen, MAYBE, just maybe, players would be scared enough of losing their jobs that they’d stay out of trouble.
Players keep doing this b/c they are PROTECTED by a UNION. Until the union is broken, players will keep screwing up.
Blame the players, not the employer.
akboots says:
Mar 18, 2015 5:42 PM
I knew that was coming. Why can’t these dudes call a cab? They have all sorts of money. Makes no sense.
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Why do people say this??? THEY ARE FRIGGING DRUNK!!! This is why they don’t call a cab. Sheesh.
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You decide how you are getting home before you start drinking. I have been drunk my fair share of times but I was never stupid enough to drive. That is a personal responsibility. Being in the military helped with that. We knew it was not accepted because the punishments were severe and most of us plan accordingly. These guys rarely get into trouble.
The NFL can fix this by making the consequences known, severe and immediate. Arrested for DUI/DWI and your BAC is over the limit or you refuse to submit to the test should be an automatic and immdiate suspension. It shouldn’t matter how good your lawyer is or how lenient the DA is feeling. Also add a stipulation that any player cut for cause (arrest or conduct detrimental) cannot sign with another team until the following legume year. Do that arrested watch how fast the arrested rest rates drop.
Drinking and driving isn’t a big deal unless you hurt anyone, but this guy was probably on his way out of Baltimore anyway. Never lived up to expectations.
In today’s game, yardage is measured both on the football field and on the streets, running from the cops.
theravenlives2 says:
Mar 18, 2015 4:33 PM
Why didn’t the Steelers cut Big Ben when he was accused of rape in a bathroom with an underage girl? I think we all know the answer to that question
* * * *
If you knew the answer (ie Ben was never arrested, meanwhile Pierce was arrested), then why did you even bother to ask the question?
They didn’t trot him out for a tearful press conference first?
Steelers fans troll yet Bell and Hines Ward each got DUI’s and weren’t even close to being released.
Yeah wait till a star player gets in trouble
Crown of the helmet usually I think your uninformed dolt but today you’ve actually made me chuckle with some of your responses
Not a tough decision to cut a player on his way out the door anyway. But I applaud the move. Hope this wakes him up and he gets the chance to redeem himself with another team if he’s willing to work for it. Anyone that’s lost someone as a result of a DUI/DWI knows this is nothing to take lightly.
BTW fans…next time your Pittsburgh look for the statue of Nofoolnodrool. It depicts a miserable troll living in his mother’s basement. Get a life loser.