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Is It The NFLs Responsibilty?

bachlover

bachlover

Guest
Jul 8, 2013
926
645
Calgary, AB, Canada
#1
Since the release of the video of the Baltimore Raven's Ray Price knocking out his fiancé in an Atlantic City elevator, Price has been suspended indefinitely from the NFL and his career has essentially ended. I would be interested to know TBers opinions on 2 counts:
- Is it the NFLs responsibility to regulate and control the personal lives of its players?
- Have they done an effective job of doing this in the Rice and in other matters relating to the personal conduct of its players?
 
#2
i think the nfl is trying to combat a culture of lax discipline a lot of these fellows have been receiving since middle school, anybody who teaches or has kids knows that stepping in when somebody is 22 and trying to give somebody some structure and accountability isn't gonna really help

they can make somebody go to counseling or sit out to get their life together, but i don't think you can change people a whole hell of a lot when they are that old (see above) by fining them, because i don't think these guys have a reality based concept of money and saving
 
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#3
The NFL has been trying to market their product for decades as family entertainment. The NFL's players are marketed as heroes / role models to kids by both the league as well as advertisers. So in keeping with the spirit of what the NFL is trying to sell, they should be trying to make certain that their players walk the walk. In many cases a lot of professional athletes and public figures have obligations in their contracts called morals clauses. This includes language about the personal conduct of the player and how it may reflect upon their employer. Clauses like these are very common, and they often have provisions built in for potential criminal activity.

The actions of these NFL players have hurt the image of the league. Especially if they're involved in violent felonies. And when it's domestic abuse? That's even worse. Part of the reason for the outrage? Player suspensions, like the one for Ray Rice's domestic abuse issue, were only for 2 GAMES, as this incident had initially been judged by the NFL. Contrast that with a player who tests positive for marijuana use. That carries a 4 game suspension.

The situation with Ray Rice seems to be the worst. Not because of Rice's actions, which are completely deplorable. But because there is the possibility that the NFL was aware of just how violent the incident was and may have moved to cover it up. There's an old adage regarding a scandal: the initial crime or wrong-doing is usually bad, but the greater sin seems to be the coverup.
 
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#5
ShoeManiac said:
The actions of these NFL players have hurt the image of the league. Especially if they're involved in violent felonies. And when it's domestic abuse? That's even worse. Part of the reason for the outrage? Player suspensions, like the one for Ray Rice's domestic abuse issue, were only for 2 GAMES, as this incident had initially been judged by the NFL. Contrast that with a player who tests positive for marijuana use. That carries a 4 game suspension.
Click to expand...

I can't remember where I read this joke:

League official: We have a problem. Smith popped Mary Jane this weekend.
League commissioner: Uh oh. Two-game suspension.
League official: Mary Jane is a drug.
League commissioner: Make that a four-game suspension.
 
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#6
Like anything connected through money you are a product a fashion plate. So in order to keep the gravy train running the NFL can't afford to have anyone or anything adversely effecting their wholesome family entertainment image. Guys like Rice and any others who believe their talent on the ball field makes them bulletproof have found out there are a legion of players biting at the bit to take your place on the rooster. Plain and simple he is bad for business and the NFL is about the business of making money. So if some behind the scenes organizations is donating funds to the NFL and says hey that guy is no good for our image, who do you think they would toss?
 
#7
I guess I am just callous, but...........

With all the problems in the world, a rich athlete punching a screeching fiancé who then gladly forgave him and jumped at the chance to marry him anyway....... Well, it isn't on my radar as something I'm going to get very concerned about.

The NFL is neither judge nor jury. If Rice committed a crime, he should have been arrested and prosecuted by the law. He wasn't.
Another case of a "trial by public opinion."
 
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#9
ShoeManiac said:
The NFL has been trying to market their product for decades as family entertainment. The NFL's players are marketed as heroes / role models to kids by both the league as well as advertisers. So in keeping with the spirit of what the NFL is trying to sell, they should be trying to make certain that their players walk the walk. In many cases a lot of professional athletes and public figures have obligations in their contracts called morals clauses. This includes language about the personal conduct of the player and how it may reflect upon their employer. Clauses like these are very common, and they often have provisions built in for potential criminal activity.

The actions of these NFL players have hurt the image of the league. Especially if they're involved in violent felonies. And when it's domestic abuse? That's even worse. Part of the reason for the outrage? Player suspensions, like the one for Ray Rice's domestic abuse issue, were only for 2 GAMES, as this incident had initially been judged by the NFL. Contrast that with a player who tests positive for marijuana use. That carries a 4 game suspension.

The situation with Ray Rice seems to be the worst. Not because of Rice's actions, which are completely deplorable. But because there is the possibility that the NFL was aware of just how violent the incident was and may have moved to cover it up. There's an old adage regarding a scandal: the initial crime or wrong-doing is usually bad, but the greater sin seems to be the coverup.
Click to expand...
I read this morning that Rice and his fiancé are considering suing the NFL because they are disciplining him twice - once for the 2 day suspension, and again for the "indefinite" suspension levied after the videos surfaced.
 
#10
sparkyfender2 said:
With all the problems in the world, a rich athlete punching a screeching fiancé who then gladly forgave him and jumped at the chance to marry him anyway....... Well, it isn't on my radar as something I'm going to get very concerned about.
Click to expand...
All of the best arguments are predicated on victim blaming and ignorance of how situations (abuse in this case) commonly play out. :|
 
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#13
bachlover said:
Since the release of the video of the Baltimore Raven's Ray Price knocking out his fiancé in an Atlantic City elevator, Price has been suspended indefinitely from the NFL and his career has essentially ended. I would be interested to know TBers opinions on 2 counts:
- Is it the NFLs responsibility to regulate and control the personal lives of its players?
- Have they done an effective job of doing this in the Rice and in other matters relating to the personal conduct of its players?
Click to expand...
The NFL, like any other for-profit business, can do what they want and have their own set of rules. Just like your employer can fire you or suspend your for different criminal activities. A criminal offense that occurred outside of working hours might not impact your work performance so you might not get suspended. Whatever happens in court is your punishment, and your employer will still keep you employed. Like an employee who gets charged with DUI/DWI, if you have a desk job, you probably won't get suspended or fired. If you are a trucker, that's a different story.

It's actually the NFL and the NFLPA for not having a rule set in place. In cases where there is no rule, then the commissioner makes a judgement call. Just like the owner of a small business, he can choose to fire or suspend an employee based on a crime that occurred outside of business hours if he feels that's not good for business to keep him and there's no previous business rule about it. The NFL and NFLPA need to go through every criminal code that exists and have a preexisting set of rules so they something in place for all cases.
 
#15
placedesjardins said:
Brett Favre texted a picture of his junk to a female sports announcer.
Click to expand...
Joe Nocera's column in Saturday's New York Times cites an estimate of 56 examples of domestic violence committed by NFL players since 2006, with single-game suspensions being typical. It could just be that this incident set off a more widespread public reaction.
 
#17
Listening to CNN last week they had a woman on that decried the SYSTEMIC problem of domestic abuse within the NFL.

Then an analyst chimed in that the incidence of domestic abuse cases within the ranks of the NFL is half that of the general population. :eyebrow:

Sounds systemic to me :rollno:

Not the NFLs responsibility to be police.

Seems to me that these athletes are dealt with by the law when it is reported. That is what the law is there for. If they caught a break in court, that's on the judge.

They are criminals and should be treated as such. The NFL should ban them for life but that isn't the rule right now. Ray is not getting the same treatment as others have under the same rules. They all need to be removed or Ray should be back after six games, that's the rules. I would prefer to see the former: get rid of all the bums.
 
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#19
May start another thread about Adrian Peterson. He beat his son, last year his other child was beaten to death by his kids moms boyfriend. Also we had last year Aaron Hernandez with the murder.

I agree these players sign a contract they get paid millions to be great players but also have a presentable image. It's motivating for kids to see these players make it pro who come from different walks of life.

Recently a few NFL players have done some really ****ed up stuff. Is it the fault of the NFL? I wouldn't say so they can't control the players personal lives but I think they should be banned based on crimes. Example you get DUIs and you have a driving job you get fired. Or if you abuse kids you can't get a job with children if it's known. I think it's ethical for the NFL to ban these players considering their job entails being a positive role model and maintaining good public image.
 

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