Justice, Fairness and Cheerleading

The case involving the Carolina Panther cheerleaders who were allegedly involved in a Sapphic incident in a bar leading to a brawl (about which I wrote last November) has now, in the case of one of them, finally been adjudicated.

Here's what I wrote about the case back in November:

http://celticprogressive.blogspot.com/2005/11/two-cheerleaders-walk-into-bar.html

The Associated Press is reporting that:

"A former Carolina Panthers cheerleader received six months probation for her role in a bathroom brawl sparked by accusations that she was having sex with another cheerleader.

Angela Keathley, 26, pleaded guilty on Wednesday to disorderly conduct and obstructing a police officer during the Nov. 6 fight, which broke out when women in line to use the bathroom made the allegations about Keathley and fellow cheerleader Victoria Renee Thomas.

Thomas, 20, denied the sex allegation. She has pleaded not guilty to giving a false name to a police officer, battery and unlawful display of a license.

The Panthers fired the pair for violating a signed code that bans conduct embarrassing to the Panthers."

Now that the legal part of her case is over, I think Ms. Keathley should get her job back -- don't you? After all, if one of the players had been sentenced to probation after a minor scuffle in a bar, you can bet your ass that he'd still be on the team. It's only the rankest hypocrisy that gives a woman greater punishment than a man for the same offense.

If you agree, I suggest you contact the team and tell them so:

Their address is:
Carolina Panthers
800 South Mint Street
Charlotte, NC 28202

Telephone:
Switchboard: 704-358-7000

E-Mail:
feedback@panthers.nfl.com

Tell them you think the girl should get her job back.

Tom Moran