The National Football League (NFL) has had surrounding concerns for certain players and teams. Players such as Greg Hardy, Adrian Peterson and Ray Rice have all been subject to domestic violence charges.
Domestic violence is violent or aggressive behavior within the home, typically involving the violent abuse of a spouse or partner. Hardy and Rice fall under the category of “abuse of a spouse,” whereas Peterson was accused of abusing his son.
Peterson’s case has many twist and turns to it. Peterson is being held on child-abuse charges for supposedly ‘punishing’ his child with lashings which resulted in several scars. This case has caused many to believe he should not be able to play in the NFL again. On the other hand, some fans agree with Peterson’s actions, as they too use physical punishment, such as spanking their child. As for the Minnesota Vikings, the team for which Peterson plays, they have come to the conclusion that he shall not play until the criminal case is over. Peterson has agreed to a voluntary suspension with pay.
Hardy, a defensive end for the Carolina Panthers, was found guilty of domestic violence against his girlfriend July 16. Hardy’s girlfriend, Nicole Holder, gave a vivid description of the night when Hardy reportedly abused her. Holder stated that Hardy did several things from throwing her into a bathtub to grasping her neck and threatening to kill her. After the verdict was reached, he immediately appealed and is awaiting a jury trial. The judge was forced to give him a 60-day suspended sentence and 18 months probation due to the appeal of the misdemeanor. Just like the Vikings, the Panthers are waiting for the criminal court to make a decision until they will allow Hardy to suit up for them again or not.
Ray Rice, an ex running back for the Baltimore Ravens, was suspended indefinitely from the NFL for striking his fiance at the time, now wife, in a casino elevator. Now just like the cases already discussed, Rice has appealed too. TMZ released the video footage of him knocking out his fiance in the elevator. Before this video was released, Rice was only suspended for two games. Now, with the video released, he has been removed from the Ravens roster and suspended from the NFL for now.
The NFL commissioner, Roger Goodell, has been working on a new revamped personal conduct policy. This means whenever the refurbished policy comes out, timetable is predicted to be in February 2015, Rice’s appeal could then be held into consideration too.
When asked on his stance about all of the domestic violence occurring, Grant Finkbiener, senior, said, “There should be rehab programs for these players that obviously need help. Also, the NFL needs to take stance quickly so the players can see how serious of a subject this is.”
Here at Athens Drive, student athletes are taught the importance on violence not being tolerated. For example, in the rules of soccer, any malicious attack or fight that occurs during a game is an automatic red card with a four-game suspension. A normal red card, for instances such as cursing or arguing with a referee, causes a two-game suspension.
Rice, Hardy and Peterson were all Pro-Bowlers at one point in their careers. Now, they share the title as abusers instead of a football players.
