How Tough is Tough Enough?
On July 24, 2015 the NFL issued a two-game suspension for Ray Rice. Rice, a running back for the Baltimore Ravens, was caught via an elevator surveillance camera assaulting his then-fiancé. First the video showed Rice punching her in the face, and then later on in the video it showed him dragging her unconscious body off the elevator.
Roger Goodell, the NFL Commissioner, is the man who has the final say-so about punishments in the NFL. Since the punishment was issued Goodell has regretted the lack of severity of the punishment. On August 28, 2914 he issued a memo stating a new policy the NFL would operate under when dealing with domestic violence cases. A first offense results in an automatic six-game suspension. A second offense results in a lifetime ban from the NFL. A year after the second offense the guilty party can petition to be reinstated, however there is no guarantee of this happening. This policy is not only for NFL players, but any NFL employee.
There was much speculation from fans and other outside parties (including many feminist groups) after Rice’s punishment was issued. This was mostly because of Goodell’s history with suspensions. He had issued longer suspensions for DUIs and illegal tattoos than he did for Rice’s domestic violence case.
However, now that there is a new policy there are still unhappy fans. Some people see the new tougher policy as too tough saying someone shouldn’t lose their job because of an assault charge.
Roger Goodell issued this statement along with the new policy: “My disciplinary decision led the public to question our sincerity, our commitment, and whether we understood the toll that domestic violence inflicts on so many families. I take responsibility for the decision and for ensuring that our actions in the future properly reflect our values, I didn’t get it right. Simply put, we have to do better. And we will.”
http://www.latimes.com/sports/sportsnow/la-sp-sn-nfl-domestic-violence-20140828-story.html
Picture: http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2014/08/roger_goodell_admits_i_didnt_get_it_right_on_ray_rice_as_nfl_changes_domestic_violence_policy.html
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On this past Saturday, 49ers defensive end Ray McDonald was charged with domestic abuse of his pregnant finance. He could not have chosen worse timing considering the NFL’s 6 game policy was announced literally two days earlier. This policy will be enforced for Ray McDonald. He also faces being charged with a felony and quite possibly prison time. McDonald has yet to comment on his actions.
http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2014/09/01/49ers-player-arrested-on-domestic-violence-charges-post-new-league-rules/
Although I do agree with the new policy with domestic abuse in the NFL, one must examine all the details to provide a clear opinion. The video of Ray Rice assaulting his now wife is truly disgusting and his sentence is very lenient but Ray Rice was very active within the community before the incident. While “citing Rice’s previously unblemished track record, Goodell reiterated that the NFL considers a player’s history when determining the length of personal-conduct suspensions”. This new policy throws away a players previous history when they make a mistake. Maybe this new rule is a little too much.
http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/11296028/roger-goodell-defends-suspension-ray-rice-baltimore-ravens-running-back