Over the past couple of weeks, the National Football League (NFL) has been under the public's "microscope". It is being criticized for its lack of leadership and it's lack of discipline towards the "actions of professional football players". At an alarming rate, NFL players are being arrested and persecuted for crimes that range from DUI's, domestic violence, assault, and even child abuse. On any given day, one can pick up a newspaper or log into Facebook and read about these incidents. Fans, supporters, and sponsors of teams of the NFL are becoming skeptical of the NFL's policies that deal with such behavior. Early this year, the Raven's running back, Ray Rice, was arrested for felony assault. Through a plea agreement, his representation was able to get the charges reduced to misdemeanor assault charges. As a result, there was an uproar for the NFL to intervene and issue out a disciplinary action as well. After an investigation into Ray Rice's domestic violence case , NFL President Rodger Goodell issued Ray Rice a two game suspension. Conversely, Rodger Goodell's decision did not go over well with many fans and sponsors of the NFL, especially since the NFL did not have a particular policy that dealt with domestic violence. Therefore, after months of backlash from any-domestic violence groups, Rodger Goodell formulated a new policy that addressed any arrests or charges dealing with domestic violence. However, when TMZ released the "unseen" video of Ray Rice upper-cutting his fiancé and knocking her unconscious, Mr. Goodell released a statement banning Ray Rice from the NFL indefinitely. This raised eyebrows for many fans and sponsors of the NFL. Then, on the hill of the controversial Ray Rice incident, Vikings Runner back, Adrian Peterson, was arrested for child abuse. It is important to note that there is not an NFL policy that deals with child abuse, but I can imagine that there will be one after this. Since Adrian Peterson's arrest, he has been deactivated, reactivated, and deactivated again from the Viking's roster! So why is it that Ray Rice was punished twice for the same crime? Why is it that Adrian Peterson was deactivated so many times? It is all about the NFL and the NFL teams saving face. In studying the NFL, there tends to be a common trend when conflict surfaces. When handling conflict,the NFL does not analyze and create policies based on merit but on the public reactions. Especially sponsors with deep pockets who usually oppose or affirm an issue based on fans reactions. But is that an efficient, effective way to resolve conflict? If so, the NFL is basically saying that which ever way the wind blows is where we stand. But how is that truly fair to the players? As I stated above, Ray Rice's initial punishment was a two game suspension. However, after the public's outcry, the NFL landed a second, more severe punishment. Why? Because they wanted to appease the public and show that they could handle these conflicts appropriately. This brought great criticism to the NFL and the NFL President Rodger Goodell because everyone could see that the NFL was not punishing Ray Rice because of his actions but to save face of the NFL. If they truly wanted to make Ray Rice an example and punish him justly, they would have suspended him indefinitely when the crime was first reported and analyzed by the NFL.
I agree with your comments about the NFL saving face and trying to appease sponsors. One thought I had while reading this was that perhaps the best way for a fan to try and change the policies of the NFL is to complain to the sponsors. Sponsors want people to buy products and in turn the NFL needs sponsors to pay to run the NFL.
ReplyDeleteI have serious doubts that Roger Goodell didn't see the Ray Rice video before it was leaked. As commissioner his job is to make sure that the league makes money and stays popular with fans. Ray Rice makes money for the league. Fans are also partly to blame for the issues in the NFL. Fans have short memories. We complain momentarily about issues but once the next big game is on we go back to our fantasy leagues and our sports bars.
With all the recent arrests some fans and probably quite a few non-fans think that the NFL is just trying to keep players on the straight and narrow. In your post you said, "when handling conflict,the NFL does not analyze and create policies based on merit but on the public reactions." I think this applies to more than just serious crimes like assault and child abuse. Players are being arrested left and right for failing drug tests and for DUI. Perhaps we should take a page from Prof. Gassama's book and try and find the root causes of all these problems.
Ray Rice was charged with felony assault in February. He was punished through the criminal system and through the NFL. One of the most controversial facts is that his fiancee at the time, is now his wife. What does this say about them as a couple? As we look at restorative justice, I can't help but wonder if Ray Rice and his wife were already in the healing process when the video surfaced early in the season. Obviously they got married after the incident. Ray Rice was already going through the anger management course through the court system and they were probably in extensive couple counseling. I agree with Barak, that Ray Rice should have been suspended indefinitely when the first images were released in February so that he could efficiently work through the issues in his relationship with his wife and his further legal issues. You would think that after this incident the NFL would make an example that they have little patience with violent crimes. But after Adrian Peterson's child abuse charges came out in the news there was more flip flopping. Because of the timing after Ray Rice's criminal charges, the NFL should have moved quickly to suspend Adrian Peterson indefinitely. Instead, they flip flopped on their policy issues going back and forth and then finally making a decision to suspend him. The NFL needs to make a decision. If they are going to have such harsh punishments for players who are caught using drugs recreationally, then they need to have a protocol for any player that has been charged criminally.
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't seem that NFL justice can be really fair, meaning equivalent treatment for like infractions, if it depends on "making an example" out of the unfortunate few who draw the attention of the public eye.
ReplyDeleteThis is definitely a huge topic right now, and it should be. I totally agree with you, Barak, that the NFL is seemingly more concerned with saving face and is reacting to public sentiment, rather than taking a proactive approach to set and uphold standards.
ReplyDeleteI still am frustrated that it took a video being leaked by TMZ for the NFL, and the Baltimore Ravens, to realize that Ray's actions in that elevator were beyond horrible. Your last paragraph, Abbie, makes me think about Professor Chinn's book, and dealing with time periods of change. Laws and policies may change, but the public here needs to "recalibrate" to a world where domestic violence is not hushed aside because we want our team (or our fantasy players!) to do well.
I'm still mad at Baltimore's whole organization, so I just have to right this quote from Chris Mortenson on here about the situation: "Given the choice, the Ravens defended Ray Rice. Given no other choice, the Ravens released him."
Clearly Ray needs help. And although I in no way condone his actions, I don't know how I feel about just cutting him loose without any kind of help, restorative justice or otherwise. This route is the best thing politically and to show zero tolerance, but it might also make domestic violence less of something people talk about in order to make sure that players stay employed.
AHHH! My computer autocorrected write to right because I spelled it wrong! Please excuse that typo...
DeleteI also agree that the NFL has a shameful history with dealing fairly and justly with player behavior. In the past it was so much easier for deeds to go unknown and there were certainly no videos to show everyone exactly what happened, hastening the judgment and the outrage of the people. It seems like the good 'ol boys still in charge are reeling from the rapid changes in what the fan base knows, what they (and sponsors) will accept as tolerable behavior, and how to deal with that without hurting their brand. I think the Adrian Peterson case went back and forth so much because he is supposed to be the top running back in the league this year. People watch the sport because of him (because they drafted him in their fantasy leagues, whoops), and it’s so hard for them to give up on their cash cows. I think it’s progress, at least, that many fans don’t want to put up with abusive behavior (don’t look too far into the comments sections, though, or you will lose all faith in humanity). Here’s a post on Deadspin showing hundreds and hundreds of people wanting to get rid of their Ray Rice jerseys: http://deadspin.com/a-whole-lot-of-ravens-fans-turned-up-to-exchange-their-1636762792
ReplyDeleteI think that the NFL needs a regime change. Goodell has to go (for lots of reasons, another being the lack of appropriate response on the CTE issues), and someone that hasn’t spent a career sweeping scandals under the rug needs to come in. I think that the NFL needs to have much better standards in place for off-the-field transgressions, so that it’s very clear, and so that more valuable players don’t get special treatment. And I think that the fan base (and yes, sponsors for sure) need to keep putting the pressure on the NFL and other organizations through social media, because it does look like we are actually effecting change!