NFL again shows its hypocrisy
League is outraged by brawl, but not domestic violence
Well what do you know. The NFL can take swift and decisive action when its players commit inexcusable acts of violence, sending a message that there is no place in the league for such conduct. Now do it for domestic violence.
It’s commendable that the NFL imposed some of the most stringent discipline ever for that ugly brawl in the closing seconds of Thursday night’s game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns, a total of 10 games for three players and $250,000 fines for each of the teams. That it took barely 12 hours to issue the punishments spoke to how distasteful the NFL considered the episode.
But it also shows just how hypocritical and uncaring the league is when it comes to domestic violence and sexual abuse.
There was widespread condemnation for Myles Garrett from around the league Thursday night, including by his own coach and teammates, after Garrett ripped off Mason Rudolph’s helmet and bashed the Steelers quarterback in the head with it.
“Inexcusable,” Baker Mayfield called it during an on-the-field interview, adding that he expected Garrett to be suspended. Coach Freddie Kitchens said he was “embarrassed” by what Garrett had done, and that he had hurt the team.
Now contrast that with the deafening silence when a player is accused of domestic violence. Or, worse, the lame excuses about someone being a good teammate or hard worker.
After its dismal handling of the Ray Rice incident, the latest in a long string of dismally handled domestic violence incidents, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell solemnly promised that the league would do better. Yet five-plus years later, the league is as dismissive as ever of the women and children who find themselves in harm’s way.
It usually takes months for the league to investigate and decide on discipline, and punishments are laughably light. Granted, domestic violence cases are tough, with little physical evidence and the victims often reluctant to cooperate.
But even when there is evidence, the NFL somehow manages to botch it.
Tyreek Hill was heard on an audio recording threatening the mother of his children – a woman he’d previously been convicted of abusing, mind you – and the NFL shrugged its shoulders. Jameis Winston was suspended three games for groping an Uber driver.
The former girlfriend of Baltimore Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith said in a 2017 court filing that he had a “history of being physically violent” toward her, and the NFL found evidence of “threatening and emotionally abusive behaviors.” His punishment? A whopping four games.
Then-new York Giants kicker Josh Brown got one measly game in 2016 despite the NFL’S own security personnel having to help his wife move hotel rooms at the Pro Bowl. Only after there was a public outcry, and the release of a slew of records that made the NFL look bad, was Brown’s suspension increased to six games.
Ray Mcdonald was arrested numerous times for sexual assault and domestic violence but not once did the NFL suspend him. In fact, the Chicago Bears gave Mcdonald a $1.05 million contract after owner George Mccaskey said he had thoroughly vetted the defensive lineman, talking to pretty much everyone Mcdonald knew.
Everyone but Mcdonald’s victim, that is.
It’s true that Garrett could have seriously injured, even killed Rudolph had he hit the quarterback with the crown of his helmet. But how is that different than domestic violence?
The women abused are an often a third the size of an NFL player, children far smaller, and they do not have pads or helmets to protect them. There are no referees or teammates to step in and prevent an already bad situation from getting worse. Instead of universal outrage or condemnation, there are doubts and excuses that enable.
The NFL has no hesitation handing out quick, harsh punishments when violence by its players gives the game a proverbial black eye.
If only the league could be made to care as much about the actual welts, bruises and emotional scars that result from domestic violence.