327800

Pd. 4

Actions of NFL must change

Ray Rice incident opens up debate on the actions of the NFL
The National Football Leagues handling its most recent controversies has been disgraceful.
Minnesota Vikings Adrian Petersons alleged abuse of his 4 year old son last year with a switch
created media uproar, but despite being indicted of child abuse charges, Peterson had been
scheduled to play in Sundays game until the Vikings corporate sponsors threaten to withdraw
their support. To make matters worse, the Panthers Greg Hardy will played in the season opener
after being charged with threatening his girlfriend. Of course, no one could forget Michael Vick,
who spent 18 months in federal prison for illegal dog fighting.
Most recently, Ray Rice, accused of attacking his then-fiance and now wife in an Atlantic
City elevator, led him to be suspended for two games. After TMZ released the video of him
knocking his girlfriend unconsicious and dragging her out from the elevator, he was suspended
indefinitely from the Baltimore Ravens. This raises the question: why are we supporting an
organization that does not punish its most prominent members for violent crimes the first time?
Upon confirmed allegations of domestic abuse, Rice should have been released from the
NFL immediately. It should not take a massive media firestorm and the leak of a graphic video to
set these actions into motion. Domestic abuse is a serious issue that does not warrant a mere two
game suspension and a $125 dollar fine. After much criticism, the NFL enacted a six game
suspension for domestic abuse, but this also falls short of a satisfactory response.
The question that needs to be asked is how can we, as a society that considers itself to
uphold values including respect for women and the protection of children, support an
organization that allows players to be idolized even after they commit violent crimes. Young

327800
Pd. 4

children and adults alike watch the NFL. The Superbowl is the most watched sporting event of
the year.
The problem begins with is how the NFL handles criminal behavior by players. Domestic
and child abuse are crimes that no court or organization should be lenient on. These players are
glorified by a large portion of America. Many children view these men as heroes and
inspirational figures. How is this possible, when some of these players commit crimes that
directly impact many people? If this occurred with people who did not possess famous status,
there would be no second chances. Thousands would not scream their names, nor paint
themselves purple and spend hours in the cold waving flags and cheer them on. These people
would be branded as criminals who committed terrible acts.
The problem with the way the NFL handled this and other infractions players have
committed is not bringing the hammer down hard enough on these players, unless consequences
the organizations financial standing and public image are threatened. The NFL encourages
violent behavior as men are hired to obliterate each other on the field. They are rewarded for
hitting and tackling each other with a level of force that causes multiple concussions nearly every
football weekend. This violent behavior sparks the idea that physical aggression ok and even
admirable for many young children.
Tens of millions of people watch the NFL every week, making it even harder to draw the
line between violence in football and criminal violence. With so many people glorifying the
physically harmful sport and the players that participate in it, there is no room for people who are
criminally violent. People who commit crimes cannot be allowed to set an example that physical
abuse or illegal actions are appropriate.

327800
Pd. 4

The National Football League must have harsher precautions and penalties in place.
These incidents should prompt Americans to rethink how to handle domestic abuse. It should be
harshly punished. Allowing players who show aggressive criminal indimidation or abuse to
continue playing is wrong as it sends the message that it is normal to bring elements from the
sport into personal lives of players. Any player associated with these infractions should be
banned. There is no room for error. The NFL needs to be able to address these issues in a timely
manner with a firm resolution to eliminate any possibilities of violent criminal behavior.
America must re-examine their attitudes toward the leniency of domestic abuse, as it harms
women affected by it and is morally degrading. A happy American pastime should not corrupt
the minds of the youth, and more action must be taken before criminal offenses dominate public
opinion this nationally broadcasted sport.

Works Cited
Belson, Ken. "In League Ruled by Fiat, Response Seen as Flailing." The New York Times. The
New York Times, 15 Sept. 2014. Web. 17 Sept. 2014.
<http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/16/sports/football/roger-goodells-change-of-rayrice-ban-doesnt-quiet-criticism.html?_r=0>.
Cohn, Merideth. "Ray Rice Video Helps Raise Awareness of Domestic Violence."
Baltimoresun.com. Web. 17 Sept. 2014. <http://www.baltimoresun.com/health/bs-hsrice-domestic-violence-20140910%2C0%2C955493.story>.
Nadira MacDonald, Soraya. "After Ray Rice and Adrian Peterson Domestic Violence Charges,
NFL Sponsors Respond." Washington Post. The Washington Post. Web. 17 Sept.

327800
Pd. 4

2014. <http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2014/09/16/after-rayrice-and-adrian-peterson-domestic-violence-charges-nfl-sponsors-respond/>.
"NFL Can't Hide Shame of Adrian Peterson and Ray Rice Scandals." NY Daily News. Web. 17
Sept. 2014. <http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/myers-nfl-hide-shameadrian-peterson-ray-rice-article-1.1939719>.
Paylor, Terez A. "Chiefs Coach Andy Reid Hopes the Ray Rice, Adrian Peterson Controversies
Create Awareness." Kansascity. Web. 17 Sept. 2014.
<http://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/red-zone/article2143712.html>.
Wilner, Barry. "Ray Rice to Appeal Suspension: Reports." Ray Rice to Appeal Suspension:
Reports. 16 Sept. 2014. Web. 17 Sept. 2014.
<http://www.lohud.com/story/sports/nfl/2014/09/15/ray-rice-appeal-suspensionreports/15659035/>.