Bengals RB Benson won't be punished

The NFL won't punish Cincinnati Bengals running back Cedric Benson for his offseason arrest involving an alleged bar fight in Texas.

Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement Friday that he's satisfied Benson understands his responsibilities as an NFL player and a public figure.

Benson met with Goodell and other league officials last week.

Benson is the focal point of a running game that helped the Bengals win the AFC North last season. He ran for 1,251 yards in 13 games, missing three because of a strained hip.

He set a club record by running for 100 yards six times last season. He also ran for 169 yards in a playoff loss to the Jets, a club record for the postseason.

''Cedric expressed to us his understanding that NFL players have a special responsibility to meet high standards of conduct,'' Goodell said. ''Like most public figures, Cedric and other NFL players occasionally may find themselves facing risks that other individuals do not. They must exercise good judgment and restraint when confronted with those risks.

''Cedric said he recognizes this and has committed to working hard to make better decisions and avoid any further incidents,'' Goodell said. ''We support him and expect him to be successful in meeting this commitment.''

The Bengals received news of the league's decision shortly before the start of an afternoon practice at training camp.

The Chicago Bears released Benson in 2008 after a pair of alcohol-related arrests in Texas. The cases were dropped when grand juries declined to indict. The Bengals then signed him, and he had avoided trouble until the past offseason.

Police in Austin charged Benson with misdemeanor assault last month for allegedly punching a bar employee in the face. Benson has denied the charge.