In any walk of life, I’m all for giving people second chances.

When it comes to professional sports, when is enough?

In the NFL, Commissioner Roger Goodell has taken a lot of heat for his odd choices of punishment, whether it be multi-game suspensions — Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, for example — or just a stern lecture.

His most recent decision seems baffling, allowing Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Aqib Talib to continue to play after being arrested in March and being charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after he and his mother allegedly shot at someone.

I don’t think I’ve seen a greeting card for something like that, so maybe Goodell thought no punishment would suffice.

I’m also for “innocent until proven guilty” and allowing the judicial process to take its course, but Talib should not be allowed to suit up for the Bucs this season.

Talib’s trial is set for March 2012 which allowed Goodell to hold off any suspensions until the justice system deals with him.

Talib has a history of trouble. He was suspended for the 2010 season opener and also fined one game check for violating the league’s personal conduct policy. Apparently, there was an altercation with a Florida taxi driver during the 2009 training camp.

He led Tampa Bay with six interceptions despite missing four games due to injury and will be a huge piece of the Buccaneers success this season.

But the league should take notice that guns were involved which — whether Goodell chooses to notice or not — is a huge concern to public safety.

We’re not talking about players causing problems with taking steroids, going to strip clubs or going on drinking binges at 4 a.m. — although the latter would be a concern for the public.

Those are something Goodell could fine players on as he tries to “protect the shield” of the league’s reputation.

If he’s really concerned, gunplay should be considered a serious offense. A trial after the season shouldn’t make a difference. These are serious allegations and allowing someone to walk free and have the privilege to play in the National Football League should not be acceptable.

No talk of fines or suspensions again so despite a pattern of destructive and irresponsible behavior and poor choices, the league chose not to do anything for now.

In the meantime, Goodell’s inconsistent justice has to leave players wondering what’s fineable or what’s cause for suspensions.

I get the concept that every case is different and should be judged as such. However, guns are guns and should be taken with a lot of thought on how to deal with it.

Goodell seemed to drop the ball on this one. Hopefully, for his sake, Talib will not put anyone else in harm’s way.

Sam Tallarico is a staff writer for the Butler Eagle.