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The new domestic violence law laid down by the NFL will get an early test as San Francisco 49ers defense end Ray McDonald has been accused of domestic violence.
The 2007 third-round draft pick was arrested and jailed on felony domestic violence charges and was later released after posting bailon Sunday.
In a letter to NFL owners, commissioner Roger Goodell wrote, in part:
“Recently, we have addressed issues of respect – respect for co-workers, opponents, fans, game officials, and others. Whether in the context of workplace conduct, advancing policies of diversity and inclusion, or promoting professionalism in all we do, our mission has been to create and sustain model workplaces filled with people of character. Although the NFL is celebrated for what happens on the field, we must be equally vigilant in what we do off the field.
“At times, however, and despite our best efforts, we fall short of our goals. We clearly did so in response to a recent incident of domestic violence. We allowed our standards to fall below where they should be and lost an important opportunity to emphasize our strong stance on a critical issue and the effective programs we have in place. 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 both 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.
“The public response reinforced my belief that the NFL is held to a higher standard, and properly so. Much of the criticism stemmed from a fundamental recognition that the NFL is a leader, that we do stand for important values, and that we can project those values in ways that have a positive impact beyond professional football. We embrace this role and the responsibility that comes with it. We will listen openly, engage our critics constructively, and seek continuous improvement in everything we do. We will use this opportunity to create a positive outcome by promoting policies of respect for women both within and outside of the workplace. We will work with nationally recognized experts to ensure that the NFL has a model policy on domestic violence and sexual assault. We will invest time and resources in training, programs and services that will become part of our culture. And we will increase the sanctions imposed on NFL personnel who violate our policies.”
The letter went on and finished:
“There are three steps that each club should take promptly: first, post and distribute the attached “Memorandum to All NFL Personnel” to every player under contract to your club; second, ensure that your head coach reviews the information in that notice with his staff and with all your players; and third, share this letter and the attached Memorandum with all members of your organization, including your team president, General Manager, Human Resources Executive, Security Director, and Player Engagement Director.
“In the coming weeks, we will contact all clubs on further steps to be taken in support of these initiatives. I am grateful for the thoughtful advice received from so many of you and for the support that I know you will give to this important work.”
MEMORANDUM TO ALL NFL PERSONNEL
“Domestic violence and sexual assault are wrong. They are illegal. They are never acceptable and have no place in the NFL under any circumstances.
“Our Personal Conduct Policy has long made clear that domestic violence and sexual assault are unacceptable. We clearly must do a better job of addressing these incidents in the NFL. And we will.
“Earlier today, I sent NFL owners a letter that identified specific actions we will take to improve our response to domestic violence and sexual assault. Those actions include the following:
“All NFL Personnel will participate in new and enhanced educational programs on domestic violence and sexual assault. We will also increase our outreach to college and youth football programs.
“Families will receive detailed information about available services and resources, both through the club and independent of the club. These resources and services will be available to employees and their families on a confidential basis.
“Violations of the Personal Conduct Policy regarding assault, battery, domestic violence and sexual assault that involve physical force will be subject to enhanced discipline. A first offense will be subject to a suspension of six weeks without pay. Mitigating circumstances will be considered, and more severe discipline will be imposed if there are aggravating circumstances such as the presence or use of a weapon, choking, repeated striking, or when the act is committed against a pregnant woman or in the presence of a child. A second offense will result in banishment from the league; an offender may petition for reinstatement after one year but there is no assurance that the petition will be granted. These disciplinary consequences apply to all NFL personnel.”
Nice statement and all, but what exactly does all this mean.
This is commonly known as the Ray Rice Rule.
The Baltimore Ravens running back was arrested in mid-February for allegedly striking Janay Palmer (fiancee then, now married) and knocking her unconscious at a hotel (video was later released showing Rice dragging her out of an elevator).
He pleaded not guilty and avoided a trial by aggreeing to enter a pretrial intervention program. Rice was looking at a third-degree charge of aggravated assault.
Goodell gave Rice two game and defended his actions, quite strongly I might add, until recently, when he acknowledged getting it wrong and announcing this new policy.
Personally, it’s all statement and zero details.
All bark, no bite.
I believe the six-game ban should be a year.
Unless your life is in danger, men never strike women.
Never.
Rice got two games for allegedly striking a women and San Diego Chargers announcer Hank Bauer was suspended for the final preseason game broadcast for making an anti-Semitic comment.
- Cheech and Chong, I mean Le’Veon Bell and LeGarrett Blount, will apparently miss zero time with the Steelers after being arrested for marijuana possession on Aug. 20. Bell wa also arrested for DUI.
“They will (be punished) but like I told this group, that’s our business,” Tomlin said in a story by Josh Katzowitz of CBSSports.com. “It won’t come from me. I won’t talk in great detail about what we laid down in regards to dealing with the situation. But it’s rest assured that we deal with unfortunate situations in an appropriate manner when they rise up and hopefully those two guys will show what’s capable in terms of moving past it.”
I’m not sure what that really means, but I do know I lost a ton of respect for the Steelers organization.
(Mathison, a Weirton resident, is the sports editor of the Herald-Star and The Weirton Daily Times and can be contacted at mmathison@heraldstaronline.com, followed on Twitter at @MathisonMike and is on the radio weekday mornings from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. with Joey Klepack on Sports Radio 1430 WEIR)