If you thought the NFL's image couldn't possibly be in worse shape after Mike Vick, Pacman, the entire Bengals roster, Tank Johnson, the Marvin Harrison situation, etc, etc, then you thought wrong.

That's because on Tuesday Saints defensive end Charles Grant was indicted on a charge of involuntary manslaughter for his part in an Atlanta nightclub fracas that left a pregnant woman dead.

Yikes. That may be a new low even by the NFL's standards.

A total of 7 men, including Grant, are being charged with  being responsible for the death of pregnant innocent bystander Korynda Reed, who was struck and killed by a stray bullet.

Of course, you may be wondering why you're just hearing about this now. Well, that's because when then all of this originally happened in February, Grant wasn't even a suspect. Grant did, however, get stabbed in the neck during the fight.

Grant's attorney had this interesting tidbit to say in his client's defense:

“I think all the evidence is that Grant did not participate in a fight, start a fight or shoot a gun.”

I'm not saying Grant is guilty, but I think when you get stabbed in the neck, you probably had some involvement in a fight. I find it hard to believe Grant randomly got stabbed in the neck and did nothing about it. Again, in Grant's case it could easily be self defense to get involved in the fight, but it seems insane to suggest he didn't take part in it at all.

Anyhow, this is yet another blow to the NFL's image and further perpetuates the stereotype that the league is filled with reckless thugs. Although that may no longer be a stereotype.

And that's not a claim I make with no basis. The San Diego Union Tribune has been keeping a massive database of NFL players charged with crimes since 2000, and it contains hundreds and hundreds of names and crimes - only a third of which are due to Chris Henry.

I'm not sure what steps can be taken by the NFL to rectify its current situation, seeing as every player should have the ability to clear his name in the court of law. But as popular as football is, there's eventually going to be a tipping point where people simply get fed up.

Arrests/Citations, NFL Players 2000-Present [San Diego Union Tribune]