The NFL is the most inconsistent distributor of punishment in the sports world. But I’m not here to argue that the NFL is too easy on its players, or too hard on them; those arguments can be made and contended endlessly.
Something that cannot be argued is the inconsistent punishment the NFL hands down to its players for different offences, and even the same offences.
On February 15 this year, football star Ray Rice was charged with assault of his then fiancé (now wife) Janay Palmer. On March 27, Ray Rice was indicted on aggravated assault charges. This charge came after video surfaced of Rice dragging his fiancé out of an elevator after knocking her unconscious.
On July 24, the NFL suspended Rice for two games. The NFL saw backlash for this decision because the punishment was too facile. On September 8, TMZ released the actual video of Rice knocking out Janay Palmer. This video caused outrage from players, fans and anyone who saw the footage.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell insisted he did not see the video until TMZ released it, despite the police stating they handed over the original video to him. I don’t see why the video should have made a difference anyway, as Rice accurately described the assault to the commissioner before he handed out the original suspension.
Goodell responded to the intense backlash of his two-game suspension by admitting he “didn’t get it right” and introduced a new domestic abuse policy. The policy came in on August 28 and featured a six-game suspension for first-time domestic abusers and a lifetime ban for second time offenders.
Just three days after the new domestic abuse policy was introduced, 49ers defensive end Ray McDonald was arrested for beating his pregnant girlfriend. Pictures of his girlfriend showing bruises on her neck and arms were submitted as evidence.
This was the NFL’s chance to show that they really meant business, and to make up for the way they handled the Ray Rice situation. The NFL and the 49ers let McDonald play the very next week. Despite 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh being quoted as saying there is “no understanding for domestic violence” McDonald continued to play.
These domestic abuse scandals were taking place while Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon was serving a full year suspension for being caught with marijuana twice. The fashion in which the NFL conducts itself is unacceptable.
The NFL has questionable ethics, as they have a strict policy on a non-threatening drug that is legal in some states, while turning a blind eye to domestic violence, which is a much more serious matter.
The NFL trying to stop domestic violence is like Rob Ford trying to stop drug use in Toronto. In recent history, the NFL has been abysmal at handing out sensible punishments for NFL players.
Recently, however, the NFL has taken a step forward in this matter, suspending Adrian Peterson for the rest of the season for beating his four-year-old son with a switch. This is a small step forward in rebuilding the tarnished reputation of the governing body.
While this was the correct act, it by no means rights the NFL’s previous wrong doings earlier in 2014. If the NFL ever hopes to be viewed as an organisation with a strong code of conduct, it needs to crack down on any form of abuse. They need to show the players, fans, and general public that they do not tolerate domestic abuse or any form of abuse for that matter.
Until the NFL decides that it can sacrifice some of the league’s star players for the overall benefit of everyone involved, it will continue to be looked down upon as the worst professional sport in regards to properly disciplining players.
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