Crime in College Predicts Violent Crime in the National Football League

ABSTRACT

The relationship between past and future crime is one of the most robust findings within criminology. Yet, there have been few attempts to examine whether this linkage holds in specific employment arenas. In this study, we consider the relationship between past and future crime within the context of the National Football League (NFL). Specifically, we assess whether there is a relationship between pre-NFL arrests and arrests while playing in the NFL. Using data on NFL arrestees coupled with an internet-based search of arrests prior to their joining the NFL, we find that pre-NFL arrests are positive and significantly related to violent (but not total or non-violent) arrests. Also, this pattern of findings was observed for non-white NFL players, but not white players. Limitations, future research directions, and policy implications are highlighted.

KEYWORDS:

• Crime
• college
• violence
• National Football League

Notes

¹ And while it is also the case that not all young offenders will always go on to commit more crime as adults, looking backwards in time, the majority of adult offenders were also juvenile offenders (e.g., Robins 1978).

² Although The San Diego Union-Tribune Database was used during data collection, it should be noted that it is no longer an active website. The USA Today Database is still active.

³ It is important to mention that because these databases are compiled from internet sources and public records it is possible that some information was missed. It is possible that they suffer from lack of police reporting, difficulties accessing public records, and incomplete media coverage (Monteagudo 2000; Schrotenboer 2000).

⁴ This time period was used in order to match the new data collection with the previous data collected.

⁵ Poisson regression was used instead of negative binomial because there was minimal to no overdispersion, and the chi-square test from the negative binomial model was insignificant, which indicated that Poisson fit the data better.

⁶ This may be the case as white players only account for about 11% of the players arrested from 2000-2014.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Wanda Leal

WANDA LEAL is an assistant professor of criminology at Texas A&M University—San Antonio. Her research interests include drug abuse, drug policies, life-course criminology, and sports & crime. Her recent publications have appeared in journals such as Journal of Criminal Justice, Crime & Delinquency, Preventive Medicine, Drug and Alcohol Dependence, and Journal of Drug Issues.

Alex R. Piquero

ALEX R. PIQUERO is Ashbel Smith Professor of Criminology and Associate Dean for Graduate Programs in the School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences at the University of Texas at Dallas and an Adjunct Professor in the Key Centre for Ethics, Law and Governance at Griffith University. His research interests include criminal careers, criminological theory, and quantitative research methods. He currently serves as editor of Justice Evaluation Journal. He has received several research, teaching, and service awards and is fellow of both the American Society of Criminology and the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences. In 2014, he received The University of Texas System Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Award and in 2018 he was named to The University of Texas System Academy of Distinguished Teachers.

Nicole Leeper Piquero

NICOLE LEEPER PIQUERO is Robert Holmes Professor of Criminology and Program Head of the Program in Criminology & Criminal Justice at The University of Texas at Dallas. Her research interests include white-collar crime, criminological theory, and gender/crime. She is Past President of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences.

Marc Gertz

MARC GERTZ is a Professor in the College of Criminology & Criminal Justice at Florida State University. His research interests include public opinion and the criminal justice system, politics and the courts, and comparative criminal justice systems. His recent publications have appeared in such journals as Crime & Delinquency, Journal of Quantitative Criminology, and Journal of Criminal Justice.