Derrick Bond, Contributor on The Front Office News-
In the wake of what has transpired over the last week I think the new domestic violence policy instituted by the NFL is a good policy and one I agree with. It states that any NFL employee not just player, found to have engaged in any domestic violence will be suspended without pay for the 1st six games of the season. Second time offenders will be banned from the league for a year and must petition to rejoin the league thereafter. I think the severity of those will have parties thinking twice but also shows the world outside of football that the league takes these types of cases seriously.
I also totally agree with the backlash that the NFL has received recently because they totally dropped the ball involving the Ray Rice case. For starters he explained what he did to the league and his team and had a press conference with a confused looking fiancé he abused right next to him. There was also a video released showing him arguing with her before getting on an elevator and seconds later carrying her passed out body off the elevator. Even if they had not seen the entire video then, exactly what was it that they needed to see? He admits to fighting and she’s been knocked out, punish him immediately. Don’t misunderstand me I’m all for innocent until proven guilty but I think at least suspending him until you can view the entire tape or if you can’t access the tape suspending him for half of the season. So he receives a punishment and even though its light he is punished. Then after admitting you were too light you set policies in place to punish those such as the individual you just took it easy on! Just very confused by the league at this point. Then the full video surfaces and we see exactly what happens. What I saw made me feel embarrassed for the wife and a sense of pity for the groom. Often times I try to envision myself in certain situations so I’m not quick to judge but I just can’t find any circumstance where I react like that. He took off on her and there are spots on the video that suggest he spits on her as well. Even in anger you never treat a female but more importantly a human being and the one you love that way. I’m embarrassed for her because there is no coming back from that. Millions have viewed her being hit. I’m embarrassed and saddened for them because a 1 minute clip will alter his and her life forever. I hope they both receive the help and attention they need.
Now once the world was exposed to exactly what happened the NFL takes quick action and Bans Rice from the league and his team terminates his contract immediately. They say they have just viewed the entire video as well, but now we have evidence that suggest otherwise as most suspected. I’m agree with the new policies in place but I feel that the league should remodel management. Sean Payton head coach of the saints was suspended a year because he had no knowledge of players and coaches on his team gambling on opposing players they could hurt. So should Goodell be suspended for having no knowledge of that tape either failing to get it before TMZ or having access to it and not viewing it? Something should take place in my opinion and Rice has already been punished twice for his sickening acts. The league is also at fault for handling this wrong. It’s time for the league to put up or shut up. Again.
