As widely expected, the NFL will be requiring Raiders coach Tom Cable to undergo an evaluation by a doctor and psychologist in order to determine whether further action is necessary due to possible conditions like substance abuse or anger management, according to ESPN’s Chris Mortensen.
But, per Mort, the move apparently flows only from the allegations made by defensive assistant Randy Hanson, and not from the allegations recently made by a former wife and a former girlfriend of domestic violence.
Cable has faced no criminal charges in connection with any of the three claims.
The league is treading on tricky ground in this regard. Even if Cable has no mental disability that would be protected by law, a mandatory evaluation aimed at determining whether he has a problem could, if the league isn’t careful, result in evidence that the league is regarding Cable as having a problem, which would give him protection under California and/or federal disability laws, even if he doesn’t actually have a mental disability.
Then again, given that Cable’s contract defers all grievances or claims to the Commissioner, it’s not as if he’d have a favorable forum if he ever has to file suit claiming that he was railroaded out of a job because someone concluded that there’s something wrong with him, regardless of whether there is or isn’t.