& being a fan of someone that’s a good player is one thing, but this is way bigger than football. Don’t be blind to what’s really important
— Duke Ihenacho (@NachoLyfe) September 8, 2014
Former FBI director will probe the @NFL #RayRice case – That is all –
https://t.co/3FrW2ZD4Ug #ISIS pic.twitter.com/czeK7OmpZ4
— Defund NPR PBS & NEA (@Jarjarbug) September 11, 2014
By MAKAYLA RICHARDS – Public Relations Manager
In a domestic violence case, do courts ever need video evidence to prove that it happened? In addition, do most victims of domestic violence have video evidence? And would their perpetrator be roaming freely?
No. No, they would not.
The National Football League (NFL), obviously disagrees. Monday, Sept. 8, a video surfaced of Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice spitting on his wife (fiancée at the time) then knocking her out in an elevator. This incident occurred in February, and all the NFL initially did was suspend Rice for the first two games of the season, so that they could “investigate.”
If somebody assaults their spouse and the victim goes to the authorities, the attacker is handcuffed almost immediately. The state that they were in, New Jersey, has a mandatory arrest provision. All that is required is probable cause, and you are placed into custody. That is how domestic violence cases are handled. Rice should have been getting ready for court to receive at the least probation.
Only after video evidence caused a public outcry did the Ravens drop Rice. This has already dragged on too long. Why is this man not sitting in front of a judge? Why has it taken so long? This assault happened in almost six months ago.
Maybe this is because Rice is a big time NFL player. He played for the 2012 Super Bowl Champions. Are we playing the famous card?
Normally, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell is always on his game when it comes to disciplinary action. That said, here are three NFL players suspended for more games than Rice initially did – for substance abuse.
Brandon Browner (New England Patriots) was suspended for ALL of the 2013 season and four games in the 2014 season for testing positive for marijuana. He was even threatened with a lifetime ban.
Von Miller (Denver Broncos) was suspended for four games in 2013, despite the fact that marijuana is legal in Colorado.
Walter Thurmond (Seattle Seahawks) was suspended for four games in 2013 for testing positive for what the NFL calls “substance abuse,” (which is legal in Washington).
As soon as the NFL heard the word, Rice should have been terminated. NFL suspends players that are substance abusers at four games at a time, but when a domestic violence case is made, they give the player a suspension of TWO games.The NFL should show some integrity and be more proactive to hold serious criminals like Ray Rice accountable.
Joint statement from #JohnMara & #ArtRooney about the #RayRice investigation, lacking the words “Ray” and “Rice.” pic.twitter.com/CFwVNK31CH
— Ron Flatter (@ronflatter) September 11, 2014
2 games. Disturbing.
— TJ Lang (@TJLang70) September 8, 2014
