Rice Suspension Overturn Reveals A Lot About NFL
[su_right_ad]Earlier this week, an arbitrator overturned Ray Rice’s indefinite suspension from the NFL for knocking his wife out. The arbitrator clearly indicated that Rice deserved the suspension but that the NFL, which initially gave him a two game suspension, blew it with its first punishment. They couldn’t then go back and change it according to the ruling. The NFL’s argument clearly showed that they don’t take domestic abuse seriously and increased the suspension only because of public outcry.
In the arbitration, the NFL claimed that Rice misled them by saying that he only “slapped” Palmer, and that she had “knocked herself out” on the railing, rather than that he had knocked her out. (The other witnesses to the disciplinary hearing deny that, and Rice claims that he not only used the word “hit,” he also demonstrated to the Commissioner how he had swung his fist across his body during the assault, making its force clear.)
But the fact that the NFL made that argument suggests that they still don’t understand domestic assault, or take it seriously enough. The idea that it is somehow morally superior to “slap” one’s girlfriend than to “hit” her is bizarre, particularly in a situation in which the alleged “slap” knocked the victim unconscious.
Likewise, the suggestion that it would be different if Palmer “knocked herself out” on the railing is absurd. There was never any dispute as to the reason Palmer’s head made contact with the railing: the force of the blow delivered by Rice. The theory that Palmer somehow became responsible for the situation in the split second between when Rice’s hand hit her head and when her head hit the railing is ridiculous.[su_csky_ad]
crc3 November 30th, 2014 at 11:42 pm
Rice should’ve be banned from the NFL for life for what he did…
Hass December 1st, 2014 at 12:11 am
What this POS did was criminal and barbaric. I can’t believe he wasn’t charged.
If he did that in Oz he would be suspended for life and facing criminal charges, no matter how high profile he is.
rg9rts December 1st, 2014 at 3:51 am
This is the sense of entitlement that we extend to all jocks starting in elementary school
rg9rts December 1st, 2014 at 3:50 am
Who would want to play with a woman beater.
Budda December 4th, 2014 at 5:18 pm
Other women beaters?
rg9rts December 5th, 2014 at 1:48 am
Child beaters
Carla Akins December 1st, 2014 at 6:05 am
Okay, let’s have this discussion. I am no fan Ray Rice fan and I find his actions deplorable but we need to live in the real world. Both law enforcement and the NFL had their chance to deal with this incident and both bungled it badly. This aside, Ray Rice needs to move on with his life, along with his wife that chose to stay with him.
I know and fully understand battered woman syndrome and all that goes into it. Janay Rice has made her choice and we cannot live her life for her – and we need to respect this. Men (people) can change although it’s difficult when provided the proper motivation. As I understand it, they are both seeking professional help so they can move forward.
You don’t have to forgive, or forget but at some point not allowing people to return to their lives becomes our behavior, harassment and is completely non-productive. We need to support more positive changes. This incident started a dialogue, we need to not blow it by just being angry. Spend time at your local women’s shelter, help stuff envelopes or if possible donate money to a local shelter that will help families without the Rice’s resources.
Suzanne McFly December 1st, 2014 at 7:27 am
I agree, ruining his life for one action we know about would be wrong but he needs to donate a lot of time and money to women shelters and show he has remorse. Many have said he hadn’t seemed sorry for his actions, but forcing him to donate time and money and making him see how hard it is for women who have dealt with abuse should have some type of positive effect on him and help him realize what he did and how wrong it was.
R.J. Carter December 1st, 2014 at 12:13 pm
Forced donations are usually called punitive fines. Per the courts, he was already punished, however ineffectively. It’s the parallel of someone serving five years in jail, and in the fourth year they’re told, “You know, we’ve been thinking about what you did, and the judge has decided it’s bad enough that you need to spend another 15 years here.”
Suzanne McFly December 1st, 2014 at 5:45 pm
Let me clarify, not necessarily forced, but it would be in his best interest to donate time and money to these shelters. I understand the judge already gave him a sentence, but if he wants a chance to become successful he needs to show remorse for his past misconduct.
fancypants December 3rd, 2014 at 1:34 am
you could say entertainers.atheletes and **cough*** politicians are getting together on this. Lets see if it holds true ?
http://youtu.be/j70ha1PUlqk
R.J. Carter December 1st, 2014 at 12:12 pm
I see a lot of anger being aimed at the NFL for Rice’s station in the organization.
But who’s been on his side from the beginning, supporting him? The Players’ Union.
mmaynard119 December 2nd, 2014 at 4:06 pm
The Players; Union has to defend its members, even if they don’t agree with what they do. That’s why they collect dues.
mmaynard119 December 2nd, 2014 at 9:09 am
The real lesson, which most of the toady media types don’t want to address is how poorly the NFL is managed at HQ. Roger Goodell has no business being in that position, other than he is a complete yes man for the team owners. Other than that, forget about what “lessons: we learn about how this situation was handled. If you’re not a complete NFL suck up, did you notice how quickly the NFL responded with broadcasting a nonstop barrage of PSA’s about how much charitable good it and it’s players do? This comes on the heels of the judge in the concussion compensation lawsuit getting ready to throw it out because the amount agreed upon is way too little, in part, because Roger Goodell withheld research evidence about the effects of concussions from the players and players’ union for many years.
Ben Garcia December 3rd, 2014 at 12:37 pm
That’s ok. The arbitrator can’t control what the coach does with this idiot on gameday. Maybe sitting him on the bench for 60 minutes and cutting his salary for each game he doesn’t participate in would be an effective punishment, outside the purview of the arbitrator.