Where the two overlap, particularly collective bargaining agreements and penalties for bad behavior, is often the source of the most heated discussion. For the National Football League, the conversation is now in the national spotlight with boycotts and petitions in play.
As NFL preseason games have garnered the attention of experts, pundits and fantasy gurus, more sobering and serious issues have caught the attention of politicos, lawmakers and the legal field. Prior to this season’s regular season kickoff, a couple of high-profile suspensions have dominated much of the offseason and will likely have a substantial impact on the field.
At the heart of the conversation are two star players alleged misconduct; Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice, who has been handed a two-game suspension and fine after video footage showed him in alleged domestic abuse with his now-wife; and, Cleveland Brown’s wide receiver Josh Gordon, who faces a year-long timeout after a number of alcohol and drug related allegations surfaced.
The controversy, particularly video footage of Rice dragging his battered wife out of an elevator, even led to a spat between ESPN analysts and comments made by Stephen A. Smith regarding the debate landed a week-long suspension for the perennially controversial sports-talk figure.
For some, Rice’s relatively small punishment doesn’t sit right. Maine Governor Paul LePage said on the George Hale-Ric Tyler radio program earlier this week he plans to boycott the NFL, according to Eastern and Central Maine’s WABI-TV. During the interview he drew a comparison between the two stars transgressions and said Rice should be looking at a three-year suspension, considering Gordon’s year for “smoking pot.”
Last year LePage signed “emergency” legislation aimed at reducing domestic violence “ensuring offenders receive the tools they need to eliminate their abusive behavior,” according to information from his office. The governor’s bill was sponsored by state Sen. Emily Cain.
NFL Commission Roger Goddell has responded to criticism that the league was too soft on Rice during a recent media availability prior to the 2014 Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio.
“Our policy is clear on this. We have a very firm policy that domestic violence is not acceptable in the NFL and that there will be consequences for that. When we’re going through the process of evaluating the issue and whether there will be discipline, you look at all of the facts that you have available to us,” he said according to information from his office.
Goddell, who is noted for being relatively heavy handed when it comes to player misconduct, further addressed Rice’s situation. “The criminal justice system, as you know, put him in a diversionary program with no discipline, and we felt it was appropriate to have discipline, and to continue counseling programs and to continue our education work. And I was also very impressed with Ray [Rice] in the sense that Ray [Rice] not only is accepting this issue, and saying how it was wrong, but he’s saying ‘I want to make a powerful difference in this area.’”
Goddell said he understands the public’s criticism and maintained that the NFL’s discipline policy must be consistent.
“You have to deal with the facts. We have a drug program that is collectively bargained and it has a step process. It takes four incidents before you actually reach a suspension in a drug-related case. You have to respond to facts here,” he said.
The Ms. Foundation for Women, celebrating 40 years of women’s rights advocacy this year, has also taken issue with the NFL’s handling of the Rice’s situation and launched a petition asking Goddell to take stronger measures to protect domestic abuse victims.
According to the petition posted on the foundations page: “The NFL’s response to Ray Rice’s brutal assault on his then-fiancée has been inappropriate and insufficient ... The actions of football players and the NFL have an impact off of the field. By making lack-luster admonishments and issuing paltry penalties, the NFL is tacitly approving of domestic violence. And players aren’t the only ones getting that message. Millions of fans are taking their cues from the NFL. Children and adults who look to players as role models are being told that domestic violence is not a big deal.”