BREAKING: Ray Rice released by Ravens, suspended indefinitely

[oldunclemark]

I can say one thing with utter confidence, had Ray's wife knocked him unconscious, and dragged him out an elevator on camera......the response by Harbaugh, his coach, would have been one quite different from the one he just delivered regarding his RB.

If ray's wife had knocked HIM out and dragged him out of the elevator..

......we wouldn't know anything about it and he'd be playing Thursday night

[southwest1]

Gregg Williams was also suspended indefinitely after bountygate and then got a job with TN the following season. I think what makes this tough for Rice, legal issues and baggage aside, is that he is a RB who is on the back half of his career. Doubt anyone takes a flier but we'll see ...

Good point AMF. Given his age & the fact that it is easier to draft a young, athletic back than to take a chance on a seasoned one. Rice's NFL career is probably over unless Marvin Lewis kicks the tires on Ray a year from now since he does a decent job rehabilitating the careers of players with a checkered past like Adam Pac Man Jones or Tank Johnson just off the top of my head. 

[amfootball]

a.m.

we have drifted into an interesting social woods..where the all-powerful NFL (or so it is called)is being held accountable for the crimes of all of its members.

If they do not satisfy the 24-7 media with feel good suspensions and fines for real life crime.

.They are being saddled with the blame for such crime..

..How many times have you heard that the NFL doesn't care about women..or drunk driving..or murder..because they make lots of money

I doubt that s true...

But even if it is...criminals beat the law and we want the National Football League to make it right?

Good points Mark. What is tough for the NFL is that they make their money from customers who not only pay to see the product on the field but also in merchandise. Basically their whole business is an upsell of a product that really does not matter in the grand scheme of life. It is entertainment but yet marketed as bigger than life. I think Bogie was trying to touch on this but he was talking about poor people and lost me. On one hand, you have a league with big Budweiser signs everywhere to make their patrons buy $11 beers and then on the other hand, they are suspending their players for DUIs. They have women cheerleaders who are there as nothing more than eye candy for the patrons at the game and at home and yet the NFL is outraged by crimes against women. It is a catch 22.

 

My opinion is that once Goodell decided he was going to be the moral police and rid the league of thugs, he opened a Pandora's box. The NFL is not played by white collar, Harvard grads (Fitzpatrick aside). It is played by lower social economic classes that understand pro football is a way out and a way to make money, a lot of money.

 

I do think the NFL was on to something when they instituted the rookie education classes to help new players understand the pressures of the NFL and how to handle the fame and money. I believe Dungy has been involved in this.

 

If the NFL really wants a clean image and to rid the game of thugs than they have to reach its players in college, maybe even in high school and begin investing time in the players lives BEFORE they get to the NFL. Punishing players after the face seems silly to me and leads to situations like this. And of course, they are dealing with a PC world so whatever they do or not do comes under intense scrutiny. Like I said, a Pandora's box.

[oldunclemark]

That's a good point....a.m...a very good one

Goddell did bring this on himself..He DID suggest he was the morals police for his league.

..and he's finding out that with the courts on one side of him and the NFLPA on the other.....that that job is not doable...

Punishing plays after the fact is demanded by the 24-7 media...they must do that and I think they want to..

...but again,.,.you are right..the NFL has to reach down to college and even high schools..to educate young men about drugs, women and violence..

....the last one is the toughest because football attracts out of control violent people by nature

[NFLfan]

I wish I could do that Jules, but I can't because I always put myself in their shoes. Now, I know what you're thinking, what about her rights? True, no woman deserves to be punched in the face I agree, but if Ray Rice was clearly a monster would she have walked down the aisle with him. Okay sure people can show a different side of themselves after marriage. I get that.

I just don't view this case as innocent woman get beaten by her football husband. There are more layers than that to me. By layers, I don't mean find excuses to pardon Ray Rice. I just mean that one mistake as reprehensible as it truly is shouldn't ban them from the NFL altogether. Look at former Bengals, Patriots, & Dolphins WR Chad Johnson. He was a model citizen too, hit his fiancee, & his career was over immediately too.

What I am hearing from you is that this woman is as much to blame for what happened to her as Ray Rice is. I also hear that you believe the punishment is too harsh. While I don't believe Ray Rice should be permanently banned, he should have received more than 2 games. He PUNCHED a woman he claims to love, knocking her out and treating her like a piece of garbage. If you or I did this to another person, we would have been prosecuted. No??? He got a slap on the wrist.

Now, where I blame her is that she went ahead and married him. She has no respect for herself -- he spit on her, punched her, dragged her lifeless body as if he was throwing out a heavy piece of garbage. What more could he have done to her to get her to say No to marrying him? I don't care how much money he has or that he is a popular football player. He is not marriage material and her marrying him sends the wrong message to her child. He should have gone to jail, even if it was for a week. I don't think Ray Rice is a "monster" as you wrote, but actions have consequences. He committed a crime and should have been prosecuted.

[DougDew]

I demand that Goodell raise ticket and merchandise prices in order to fund whatever staff he needs to properly enforce personal conduct policies.

 

After hearing about the video, I now demand to know the basis of the Rice's argument.  Since he spat on her, and she then apparently either struck or touched him first, there must have been some sort of verbal altercation that took place before those two physical events....possibly way down the hall in another room.  I demand that the NFL and police hire as many investigators it takes to track down all of the people who may have heard the words they spoke to each other.

 

Here are some possible bases for their spat (no pun intended):

 

1. Ray was upset because she didn't crease and fold his underwear properly when she ironed them and packed his suitcase for the trip.

 

2. Which reminded him of the three times last month she didn't have dinner on the table promptly when he got home from work..

 

or..

 

3.  Even though he loves her, he became intensely frustrated that she wanted to stop by her supplier and by some weed before they went home and tucked her two year old into bed.

 

4. Even though she talked about marrying him, she continously pointed out that he is just a running back, not a quarterback, and she couldn't commit to marrying the father of her child, who she always referred to as "my tiny but rich man."

 

C'mon Roger...hire enough staff to investigate the argument...Important people in social media need to know this stuff. 

[NFLfan]

No one is interested is the woman..

No one is interested in the court system that gave Ray a pass..

Its media and they are taking shots at the NFL..an easy target

You're right...TMZ was not doing a noble thing. They don't care what happens to the woman. They want the NFL to look bad but the NFL already looked bad. The NFL's actions are similar to that of Penn State in response to allegations against Jerry Sandusky. The crime is different but the response is the same. Both the NFL and Penn State turned a blind eye to evidence of wrongdoing, hoping that they would never be made public. The NFL could have gotten a copy of the video, if in fact they never saw it.

Now to your point that the NFL is not the police: While that is true, the NFL routinely punishes players, coaches and owners for conduct detrimental to the league. How is this different?

[pacolts56]

I think it's highly unlikely that no one in the NFL did not see this video of Rice knocking out his girlfriend / wife until TMZ aired it. The NFL and the Ravens are in CYA mode on this one.

I agree 100%.....

 

....and this is only a theory.....

 

But with willing partners such as a financial-troubled casino and a politically-minded county prosecutor in, of all places, New Jersey....where generational corruption and coverups are the punchline of jokes and an art form, and politicians are often found to be as filthy and corrupt as the day is long....I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if we eventually learn that some sort of favors were discussed in trying to sequester the elevator video.

 

And that includes the preposterous assertion that the NFL/NFL security never asked for it.

 

I'm no apologist for TMZ...they're a double-edged sword....but they have their own army of lawyers and plenty of $$$$ to offer those willing to leak blockbuster things like this video, and just like the smelliest of NJ politicians....someone who had access to the now-defunct casino's security tapes had their price, and it looks like they got it from TMZ.

[jjcolts]

Carry her?

Or have some remorse of what he just done and perhaps panic and yell for help?

[jjcolts]

 I am disgusted beyond words. 

 

The act was appalling but his actions  afterwards are even worse.  That is sociopath behavior.

 

I realize she did not want to press charges - I though that if there is proof or witnesses, that it didn't matter, and the DA can still prosecute.  I am shocked that the legal system is not pursuing this.

[King Colt]

Now let's see how things go for the marriage with no money coming in. I'll bet he has no money put away. There are likely a numbers of citters under the bed on this whole deal about who knew what when. The commisioner may in for a rought time. We have endured decades of pro atheletes and the sports media standing up for each other regardless of facts. 

[Buck Showalter]

I demand that Goodell raise ticket and merchandise prices in order to fund whatever staff he needs to properly enforce personal conduct policies.

 

After hearing about the video, I now demand to know the basis of the Rice's argument.  Since he spat on her, and she then apparently either struck or touched him first, there must have been some sort of verbal altercation that took place before those two physical events....possibly way down the hall in another room.  I demand that the NFL and police hire as many investigators it takes to track down all of the people who may have heard the words they spoke to each other.

 

Here are some possible bases for their spat (no pun intended):

 

1. Ray was upset because she didn't crease and fold his underwear properly when she ironed them and packed his suitcase for the trip.

 

2. Which reminded him of the three times last month she didn't have dinner on the table promptly when he got home from work..

 

or..

 

3.  Even though he loves her, he became intensely frustrated that she wanted to stop by her supplier and by some weed before they went home and tucked her two year old into bed.

 

4. Even though she talked about marrying him, she continously pointed out that he is just a running back, not a quarterback, and she couldn't commit to marrying the father of her child, who she always referred to as "my tiny but rich man."

 

C'mon Roger...hire enough staff to investigate the argument...Important people in social media need to know this stuff.

Wow...

[oldunclemark]

the NFL and the Raves eventually made the right decision..

It took them a while but they made the right decision. Its never too late to do the right thing.

We need to stop asking the NFL or any other sports league to make us feel better about society's crimes..

The courts did nothing...

the problem still exists...Ray could be beating his wife as we speak..

[oldunclemark]

You're right...TMZ was not doing a noble thing. They don't care what happens to the woman. They want the NFL to look bad but the NFL already looked bad. The NFL's actions are similar to that of Penn State in response to allegations against Jerry Sandusky. The crime is different but the response is the same. Both the NFL and Penn State turned a blind eye to evidence of wrongdoing, hoping that they would never be made public. The NFL could have gotten a copy of the video, if in fact they never saw it.

Now to your point that the NFL is not the police: While that is true, the NFL routinely punishes players, coaches and owners for conduct detrimental to the league. How is this different?

Its different because their punishment is games missed and cash....things that don't hurt the criminal..and are designed to make the public feel okay about the crime

Making rice miss 16 games and taking his paychecks wont stop him from beating his wife, will it?

That's how it s different.

he should have done jail time...the police DID see the video....why do we expect the NFL to do MORE than the courts

[Sports Central1]

TMZ said they're got a bombshell this afternoon.  It's reported TMZ will hold a press conference about how they know the NFL saw this tape earlier and did nothing, and it might get Roger Goodell fired.

 

How this new footage was found and released....well a worker at the casino kept it and waited for the casino to go out of business to then publicly release it so he wouldn't get sued by the casino.

 

Ray Rice is gone, Roger Goodell should be too...

http://blog.sfgate.com/killion/2014/09/08/ray-rice-gone-goodell-should-be-too/

[Sports Central1]

When the NFL announced a new policy for players who beat up their wives -- six games instead of two -- some women said it's not going to work.  They believe it's counter productive and will lead to women being beaten up even more.  The theory was that the women will not report it, because they will not want to get the paycheck in trouble. 

 

The husband is the paycheck.

 

The star athlete is the big paycheck.

 

That's why they married the paycheck and they're not going to do anything to get the paycheck harmed, suspended, maybe fired.  So they'll shut up.  So you ask, "Why did she marry him?" Do you know she went out when they had this joint appearance and she apologized, too?  At his apology press conference!  What does she have to apologize for?  For getting beat up?  Nobody could figure that out.  So chomp on that.  She did follow through and she did marry the guy who knocked her out in the elevator at Atlantic City.  

[Valpo2004]

You're right...TMZ was not doing a noble thing. They don't care what happens to the woman. They want the NFL to look bad but the NFL already looked bad. The NFL's actions are similar to that of Penn State in response to allegations against Jerry Sandusky. The crime is different but the response is the same. Both the NFL and Penn State turned a blind eye to evidence of wrongdoing, hoping that they would never be made public. The NFL could have gotten a copy of the video, if in fact they never saw it.

Now to your point that the NFL is not the police: While that is true, the NFL routinely punishes players, coaches and owners for conduct detrimental to the league. How is this different?

 

It's not different, but how they choose to punish those people for that conduct isn't really a public matter.  Goodell was elected by the owners to do this job, his responsibility is to them and not to us.  

 

However the law and the courts have a responsibility to us.  

 

As citizens I think the first people we should be going after is the prosecutors office and the courts.  They are responsible to us, or more specifically the people in their area who elected them.  How could they have this video and just let him off with just a class??

 

I could get the criticism if the law was punishing this guy with a prison term or at the very least house arrest.  Heck probation and community service if it where enough would probably be ok for a first time offender. 

 

But the thing is that the law let Rice off easier then the NFL did and we're so distracted by what the NFL is doing about it that we've completely lost our priorities.  The NFL punishes because something they did hurts the image of the league. . . That's fine but really it's all about image, it's not about justice and it shouldn't be. . . justice isn't the NFL's job.  But justice is the job of the prosecutor and the courts and they are getting off very lightly because everyone's too busy worrying about the stupid NFL.

 

It worked. . . I mean the NFL toughed it's punishment on Rice and set a standard for future domestic violence cases.  

 

But is the prosecutor's office and the courts going to get the message?  Because hate to break it to everyone but most cases of assault or domestic violence don't actually involve NFL players.  The regular average person who assaults their spouse is still likely going to get off with a stupid class for first time offenders.  

 

And with this video they didn't need her testimony or her wanting to press charges.  The video is enough to convict and at the very least put him on probation for quite a while if not put him in prison for some time.

[DougDew]

 

When the NFL announced a new policy for players who beat up their wives -- six games instead of two -- some women said it's not going to work.  They believe it's counter productive and will lead to women being beaten up even more.  The theory was that the women will not report it, because they will not want to get the paycheck in trouble. 

 

The husband is the paycheck.

 

The star athlete is the big paycheck.

 

That's why they married the paycheck and they're not going to do anything to get the paycheck harmed, suspended, maybe fired.  So they'll shut up.  So you ask, "Why did she marry him?" Do you know she went out when they had this joint appearance and she apologized, too?  At his apology press conference!  What does she have to apologize for?  For getting beat up?  Nobody could figure that out.  So chomp on that.  She did follow through and she did marry the guy who knocked her out in the elevator at Atlantic City.  

 

Yes, but choosing to keep analyzing a situation will lead us down the path where we are trying to judge a persons motivations for "loving" another. 

 

This phenomenon is not unique to athletes or celebrities. Everyday people can have the same attitude towards doctors and janitors...where one may seem more attractive than the other. 

 

Are we going to judge everybody as to how or why someone loves another?  Its really none of our business.

[DougDew]

the NFL and the Raves eventually made the right decision..

It took them a while but they made the right decision. Its never too late to do the right thing.

We need to stop asking the NFL or any other sports league to make us feel better about society's crimes..

The courts did nothing...

the problem still exists...Ray could be beating his wife as we speak..

The courts investigated it to the extent practicle.  They interviewed witnesses, where any could be found (you know in certain neighborhoods the residents don't even speak to cops) and interviewed the victim.

 

I assumed that she expressed a certain amount of culpability, (either rightly or wrongly placed...eagerly being judged by others) which factors into penalties assessed.

 

The courts have more vicious criminals and threats to society to worry about than Ray Rice.

 

And yes, Ray...and a lot of people...could be beating their wife as we speak. 

 

Maybe more witnesses should come forward more often.

[pacolts56]

TMZ said they're got a bombshell this afternoon. It's reported TMZ will hold a press conference about how they know the NFL saw this tape earlier and did nothing, and it might get Roger Goodell fired.

How this new footage was found and released....well a worker at the casino kept it and waited for the casino to go out of business to then publicly release it so he wouldn't get sued by the casino.

Ray Rice is gone, Roger Goodell should be too...

http://blog.sfgate.com/killion/2014/09/08/ray-rice-gone-goodell-should-be-too/

The irony of it all is that one candidate who would be mentioned as Goodell's possible replacement is named Rice.

Condoleeza Rice.

[amfootball]

Janay Rice's statement, http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/11493042/janay-rice-defends-ray-rice-criticizes-media-instagram-post

[OffensivelyPC]

Everything gets blamed on poor people at the end of the day (low income households), let's just ignore it when a rich God figure athlete does it, even though this is the news all the time. It should be publicized all the time, cause this is the Gods that America puts on pedestals and worships, as these celebrities who think they are on Mount Olympus and they can do whatever they want. People do look up to them, especially athletes.

 

Football players across the nation can literally have a woman as a piece of meat thrown at them, and it's presented that way a lot in media, you see it in movies and advertisements through the capitalist mode of marketing women as a commodity, they are just objects in that view. How many times do you see women advertised in sports not in bikinis and objectified? Even the female sports reporters get harassed by stupid male fans.

 

You cannot tell me that there isn't evidence when you have cheerleaders that are basically an objectified harem of mannequins on the sideline for men to drool at during a game. Look at the halftime dancers and tell me there isn't an agenda there of the league not caring about women. The league is very barbaric and very misogynist at the same time. We put these men on pedestals and make them Gods just for being able to throw dumb balls down the field and slam their bodies into one another. The agenda is right there in the open, if you're a woman, the best they see you as is wearing skimpy clothes doing dances on the sideline. Even female football fans get harassed and picked on cause you know, the sport is only for "real men".

I'm not at all suggesting that being in a position such as Ray Rice - a football celebrity - doesn't feed their ego and as a result bring out the worst in their character.  That can and does happen.  Perhaps I spoke to generally.  I was just suggesting that, being in a position of power fosters domestic violence to a lesser degree than if you were poor, statistically speaking.  As far as women being objectified, I understand that happens in America.  But it doesn't help that some women feed into the narrative by foregoing working careers and selling their bodies to magazines and whatnot.  Some men do the same thing.  So I don't think it's really fare to place the blame on the NFL for profiting off of it, when there are clearly men adn women who totally accept the idea of being objectified.

[Sports Central1]

The irony of it all is that one candidate who would be mentioned as Goodell's possible replacement is named Rice.

Condoleeza Rice.

 

I wouldn't mind seeing Condoleeza Rice a NFL commissioner.  It would be a good experiment, first woman and first african american woman as NFL commissioner.  Very bright classy woman.

[Sports Central1]

I'm not at all suggesting that being in a position such as Ray Rice - a football celebrity - doesn't feed their ego and as a result bring out the worst in their character.  That can and does happen.  Perhaps I spoke to generally.  I was just suggesting that, being in a position of power fosters domestic violence to a lesser degree than if you were poor, statistically speaking.  As far as women being objectified, I understand that happens in America.  But it doesn't help that some women feed into the narrative by foregoing working careers and selling their bodies to magazines and whatnot.  Some men do the same thing.  So I don't think it's really fare to place the blame on the NFL for profiting off of it, when there are clearly men adn women who totally accept the idea of being objectified.

 

 

"As far as women being objectified, I understand that happens in America."

 

You should see how women are objectified in latin american media.  Everyday every female news anchor and all the actresses are even more sexually glorified than Sophia Vergara is here.

 

American women are getting more and more sensitive to this "sexist" thing.  They throw that word around like the: "you're a racist" term now.

[Gramz]

Janay Rice's statement, http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/11493042/janay-rice-defends-ray-rice-criticizes-media-instagram-post

Pretty profound  statement and says a lot about her character, now doesn't it..???

 

Their personal life is really none of mine, or anyone else's business, and if she chooses to stay with him and stand by her man, that too is her choice.    Just not one I would make.

 

I am sick of this topic...

[Sports Central1]

Pretty profound  statement and says a lot about her character, now doesn't it..???

 

Their personal life is really none of mine, or anyone else's business, and if she chooses to stay with him and stand by her man, that too is her choice.    Just not one I would make.

 

I am sick of this topic...

 

Well hey, american women claim to want "equal rights" and "equal power" and "women's rights."  And then they "stand by their man" after he kicks the snot out of them.

[thedude]

. There are likely a numbers of citters under the bed on this whole deal about who knew what when. The commisioner may in for a rought time. We have endured decades of pro atheletes and the sports media standing up for each other regardless of facts.

I believe that this video was nothing new to the administrators of the NFL or some people in the Ravens organization. When TMZ unexpectedly made the video public, both parties were forced to act quickly and feign this newly found outrage. In reality they all knew exactly what happened.

This was the perfect opportunity for both the NFL and the Ravens to make up for the mistake they made by taking this too lightly from the start.

[Gramz]

Well hey, american women claim to want "equal rights" and "equal power" and "women's rights."  And then they "stand by their man" after he kicks the snot out of them.

   Read my statement again...  I said it was not a choice  I would make.   No  I would have hung  him out for all the world to see back in February.

[thedude]

Well hey, american women claim to want "equal rights" and "equal power" and "women's rights."  And then they "stand by their man" after he kicks the snot out of them.

I'm not going to criticize her at all. I have no idea what's going on in their life. I did know that my wife would not continue to stay with me if I did the same thing, but that's her.....

I don't think her decision is nothing but hers and not represent women in general.

[OffensivelyPC]

"As far as women being objectified, I understand that happens in America."

 

You should see how women are objectified in latin american media.  Everyday every female news anchor and all the actresses are even more sexually glorified than Sophia Vergara is here.

 

American women are getting more and more sensitive to this "sexist" thing.  They throw that word around like the: "you're a racist" term now.

I've seen those latin american soaps flipping through channels before.  Women parading around in dresses that barely cover them and stripper heels.  Every culture is different and people are going to have an opinion on what that culture says about its people.  Women have always been objectified, for right or wrong.  I think the worst thing about it is how it affects people's attitudes toward their wives or husbands.  People hold their spouses up to a standard that's unattainable.  But if a person chooses to be a model (or other profession where they are objectified - which I'm sure we can all think of some of the obvious ones), its hard to incorporate the objectification of men/women under the sexist argument.  Is a person really sexist if they choose to profit off of modeling?  I think not. 

 

But everyone has their opinions.  To me, sexism is more about equal rights.  The right to vote, the right to be considered a male's equal when it comes to job performance where they are equally capable of performing the same job, etc.  I just don't see how someone's choice to display their body for money (a freedom of speech/expression issue by the way, not equal protection) is sexist.  It's a personal choice that's disagreeable, not prohibitive of the right to be treated the same as men or race, IMO. 

[OffensivelyPC]

I'm not going to criticize her at all. I have no idea what's going on in their life. I did know that my wife would not continue to stay with me if I did the same thing, but that's her.....

I don't think her decision is nothing but hers and not represent women in general.

Only she knows whether it was an isolated incident.  One way or the other, she will be dealing with the consequences and her motives will be questioned regardless (to which I say it doesn't amount to a hill of beans whether people she doesn't know has an opinion on what and why she does).  But it's her choice and hers alone whether she stays with him - and as some have said, if it were them and they had a child, they would leave.  Maybe it was an isolated incident, but I'm not even going to pretend I know one way or the other. 

[Sports Central1]

   Read my statement again...  I said it was not a choice  I would make.   No  I would have hung  him out for all the world to see back in February.

 

Are you a female?  If you are I didn't know.   I assumed you were a guy since around 90% of people on here I would assume are men.  So I made my comment thinking you were a guy from a guy's perspective.

[Gramz]

Are you a female?  If you are I didn't know.   I assumed you were a guy since around 90% of people on here I would assume are men.  So I made my comment thinking you were a guy from a guy's perspective.

   yes, 100% female.     I'm sorry, I'm amused that you would ask,  but yes.

[GoPats]

Are you a female?  If you are I didn't know.   I assumed you were a guy since around 90% of people on here I would assume are men.  So I made my comment thinking you were a guy from a guy's perspective.

 

With a name like "Gramz?" 

 

She's either a grandma or Irsay's dealer.  ;)

[Sports Central1]

   yes, 100% female.     I'm sorry, I'm amused that you would ask,  but yes.

 

I just assumed you were the guy in the photo and the woman was your wife.  

[thedude]

Only she knows whether it was an isolated incident.  One way or the other, she will be dealing with the consequences and her motives will be questioned regardless (to which I say it doesn't amount to a hill of beans whether people she doesn't know has an opinion on what and why she does).  But it's her choice and hers alone whether she stays with him - and as some have said, if it were them and they had a child, they would leave.  Maybe it was an isolated incident, but I'm not even going to pretend I know one way or the other.

I don't care whether it was an isolated incident or not That makes no difference to me. I know that I would not want that video shown over and over if my sister was a victim of that assault. Whether it was the first time, or just another day in her life. It has to be difficult for her to relive that assault over and over now. As a father of two young women, I don't know what I would do if my daughter was assaulted like that. It might motivate me to commit a crime.

Still, the bottom line is that I believe the NFL front office either saw this video, or knew it was out there and tried to just blow it off. They did this because they didn't want anything to have a negative effect on ratings. The Commissioner willing turned a blind eye to it so he could have "plausible deniability" later. In other words, Goodell knew the video was out there and chose not to see it.

Leaders don't look for ways to have plausible deniability. He thought the league dodged the bullet when a New Jersey court let Rice off with a slap on the wrist.

I think Goodell needs to be replaced. I think his focus is only on marketing and selling a product. I believe he thinks enforcing standards of conduct and discipline that goes with his position is secondary and a nuisance. He's fine with hiding anything if it could damage his product. His priorities are backwards.

Goodell needs to go. If I was an NFL owner, I would publicly call for his firing.

[jvan1973]

I just assumed you were the guy in the photo and the woman was your wife.

Her user name is "Gramz"

[NFLfan]

It's not different, but how they choose to punish those people for that conduct isn't really a public matter. Goodell was elected by the owners to do this job, his responsibility is to them and not to us.

However the law and the courts have a responsibility to us.

As citizens I think the first people we should be going after is the prosecutors office and the courts. They are responsible to us, or more specifically the people in their area who elected them. How could they have this video and just let him off with just a class??

I could get the criticism if the law was punishing this guy with a prison term or at the very least house arrest. Heck probation and community service if it where enough would probably be ok for a first time offender.

But the thing is that the law let Rice off easier then the NFL did and we're so distracted by what the NFL is doing about it that we've completely lost our priorities. The NFL punishes because something they did hurts the image of the league. . . That's fine but really it's all about image, it's not about justice and it shouldn't be. . . justice isn't the NFL's job. But justice is the job of the prosecutor and the courts and they are getting off very lightly because everyone's too busy worrying about the stupid NFL.

It worked. . . I mean the NFL toughed it's punishment on Rice and set a standard for future domestic violence cases.

But is the prosecutor's office and the courts going to get the message? Because hate to break it to everyone but most cases of assault or domestic violence don't actually involve NFL players. The regular average person who assaults their spouse is still likely going to get off with a stupid class for first time offenders.

And with this video they didn't need her testimony or her wanting to press charges. The video is enough to convict and at the very least put him on probation for quite a while if not put him in prison for some time.

I agree with you. I wrote in an earlier post that Ray Rice should have been prosecuted and should have done jail time. However, where you and I disagree is on whether the NFL should also punish him. The NFL punishes players for conduct detrimental to the image of the league. I don't think Rice should be banned from playing again, as I believe in second and third chances, but he should miss more than 2 games. What he did was horrific!

[-JJ-]

With a name like "Gramz?" 

 

She's either a grandma or Irsay's dealer.  ;)

LOL

[southwest1]

What I am hearing from you is that this woman is as much to blame for what happened to her as Ray Rice is. I also hear that you believe the punishment is too harsh. While I don't believe Ray Rice should be permanently banned, he should have received more than 2 games. He PUNCHED a woman he claims to love, knocking her out and treating her like a piece of garbage. If you or I did this to another person, we would have been prosecuted. No??? He got a slap on the wrist.

Now, where I blame her is that she went ahead and married him. She has no respect for herself -- he spit on her, punched her, dragged her lifeless body as if he was throwing out a heavy piece of garbage. What more could he have done to her to get her to say No to marrying him? I don't care how much money he has or that he is a popular football player. He is not marriage material and her marrying him sends the wrong message to her child. He should have gone to jail, even if it was for a week. I don't think Ray Rice is a "monster" as you wrote, but actions have consequences. He committed a crime and should have been prosecuted.

Where in the world are you getting that from? Just because I didn't like your Keith Olbermann post you suddenly believe I endorse the beating of all women?

 

Look, I've been consistent in my position all along 1. Firing a guy doesn't solve the problem of domestic violence especially for a person who has never been in trouble with the law prior to now, 2. the league & the Ravens saw this tape long before yesterday I'm not that gullible, 3. some women not all women do marry men strictly for the perks & financial advantages, 4. I am not in any way, shape, or form implying that the woman caused this response, but should a brief, grainy videotape ruin a man's life when he has done good things for the Baltimore community? Yes, Ray struck his wife of his own free will & even if he was was angry at her, he never should have struck her, but I don't go from he's a decent guy to burn him at the stake like some people in the media like Mr. Olbermann do apparently. 

 

Where did I ever say he should not be prosecuted or face justice? Show me that post please. I'd love to see it that actually. I didn't. When I said he's not a monster, I merely meant that he's not on the same level of a serial rapist or child molester like some in the media are trying to imply like he's a degenerate S.O.B. who deserves to be torn from limb to limb. 

 

I do applaud you for saying that she might not have had respect for herself or the safety of her child. Therefore, it would be wise to put some distance between herself & Ray for an extended period of time. No arguments there.