NFL

The NFL’s horrendous fumble to only suspend football player, Ray Rice, for only two games, in their attempt to remedy Rice’s involvement in his domestic violence dispute, has publically magnified the need for social reform for domestic abuse nationwide.

The NFL has implemented new protocols after receiving public backlash for their internal handling of the Rice situation. This has put the NFL at the vanguard of much-needed reform. The NFL’s new policy, which goes into effect this month, is a standalone domestic violence and sexual abuse policy that creates a duty for both the league and every team. The league and every team will have their own Critical Response Teams, consisting of human resource directors, security officers, player engagement directors, clinicians and support services. The objective of the Critical Response Team is to provide resources and a safe environment for anyone involved in a domestic dispute. As for disciplinary actions, the NFL recently enacted a stricter policy consisting of a six game, no pay suspension for the first incident and a lifetime ban for the second incident. A second time offender can petition for reinstatement after the first year, but there is no guarantee on reinstatement. Internal discipline would be triggered by adjudication of a player's case, such as a conviction or plea agreement. Sixteen NFL players have been arrested for domestic violence since 2012, which is more than any other major sports organization.

The NFL is the most watched sport in America; the number of fans viewing and following football on a regular basis puts them at the forefront to be the voice for change. The harsh criticism of their previous disciplinary actions, alongside the wide popularity among young men and adult males, forces the NFL to push for nationwide reform. Reform is not only about implementing new policies, but it is also about spreading the word and teaching young men and women that domestic abuse is not and shout not be tolerated or ignored. The league’s popularity has led organizations, such as NoMore.org, to use the NFL’ and their players as a platform for change.

In 2006, pitcher Brett Myers was not disciplined after punching his wife in the face in public and in front of witnesses; he actually started the very next day. In 2005, outfielder Milton Bradley had three separate domestic violence issues where the police were called; no charges were ever filed and no team discipline was initiated. Ironically, Bradley was nominated for the Roberto Clemente Award that season, which is given annually to the player that best exemplifies sportsmanship, community involvement and team contribution. In 2013, Bradley was charged on nine counts of spousal battery that led to a three-year sentence. Last July, former player and long time manger, Bobby Cox, who has a long list of domestic violence issues in his past, was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. At no time did Selig intervene in any of these cases.

MLB’s current collective bargaining agreement (CBA) contains rules addressing inappropriate or criminal behavior, but it does not address domestic violence on its own. And the current CBA lasts only through 2016. MLB, also known as America’s pastime, is an organization that prides itself on being part of the fabric of who we are as a nation. They “stand up to cancer”, swing pink bats on Mothers Day, and blue bats on Fathers Day. Perhaps, 2016 is too far down the road to ignore such pressing issues that are sure to ensue within the next two years.

Like the NFL and MLB, other top professional sports organizations are being prompted by the recent uproar to restructure their domestic violence policies. The NBA, like MLB, has always taken the passive approach. Over the last three years nine NBA players have been struck with domestic violence charges, and the league disciplined none of these players because their case was either dismissed or is currently pending. Not until last month has the league or any affiliate taken swift corrective action. NBA Commissioner, David Silver, has since said that the league will “take a fresh look” at its domestic violence procedures.

There is a need to restructure policies before athletes or employees corner these major sports organizations into poor decision- making positions. And these organizations must be the voice that spreads a message of reform. All of the major sports organizations have millions of fans; men, women and children of all ages watch, play, live and breathe sports. The opportunity that each league has to change how they address domestic violence is the opportunity of a lifetime. It’s the opportunity to make a social change for the greater good of society and for future generations.

By now we have all heard of the infamous Ray Rice scandal involving his then fiancée – now wife – Janay Palmer, which was one of the many elevator incidents covering headlines in 2014. This incident in particular peaked public interests because of the discontent over the sports figure’s now-abusive image, and the National Football League’s distasteful decision to “clean up” the mess.

The National Football League (NFL) prides itself on upholding the rules and regulations of how the sport is conducted and its overall impact on the public. However, seven months ago, one of the arguably best running-back’s of the Baltimore Ravens, Ray Rice, became involved in a domestic violence incident that went viral, inevitably carrying the NFL into a highly contested public debate on how it chooses to punish its players. In turn, the debate caused a mass media uproar, and a public relations disaster, in the months following, what has now, expanded into a huge crisis. The NFL is no stranger to scandals involving football players, but this incident has created a downward spiral of negative reports.

After leaving from Revel Hotel Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey, on February 15, the couple, which seemed angry from the beginning, stepped onto an elevator where the cringe-worthy scene ensued. Ray Rice struck his then fiancée Janay with his fist and caused her to fall unconscious. Both Rice and Palmer were arrested on assault charges following the incident, where Rice’s attorney described the event as a minor physical altercation. Rice was then given only a two game suspension penalty for the assault and involvement in the domestic violence incident.

A video was released shortly after the incident only showing Rice dragging his Ms. Palmer out of the elevator, yet he claimed that nothing took place as far as a major assault.

NFL Commissioner, Roger Goodell, commented that Rice’s recollection of the events as he disclosed them were “ambiguous” at best. On May 23, 2014, Rice spoke publicly at a news conference for the first time since the altercation and arrest. With his wife Janay at his side, he apologized for “the situation he and his wife were in.” He expressed his remorse regarding the events released from the video. And the Baltimore Ravens continued to allow Rice on the team as a running back. He was well on his way to redeeming his personal and marital issues through counseling and intervention programs.

But in September, TMZ released the actual footage of the scene, showing Rice punching his wife Janay, where she immediately loses consciousness and falls to the floor of the elevator. Subsequently, the video went viral and overwhelming comments, among social media and television/radio programs, were presenting their opinions of the event.

With the pressure of scrutiny over the newest developments, the NFL made a decision in response to the ongoing controversy. Mr. Goodell told the public that Rice had not revealed the entire count of events prior to TMZ’s release of the elevator security footage. From that point, the Baltimore Ravens made the decision to, practically speaking, terminate Rice’s contract, via indefinite suspension, because he was dishonest about the events that transpired.

The public’s current craves of instant- technology and social media has made many famous altercations, arrests, even simple text conversations, difficult to keep under wrap. The prevalent drama that results from sweeping things under the rug in the sports industry as well as others, only results in costing someone their reputation and character. Hopefully, the NFL, Ray Rice, and other sports figures, can learn from this incident and determine how to rightfully mitigate the intrinsic blow of the media that undoubtedly trails any athlete’s spotlight.