Ray Rice's Domestic Abuse Presser Sends Wrong Message (2 Viewers)

[Tackling Dummies]

Greg Hardy will not enjoy his time w/ the league office.

 

[Koya]

Besides Goodell/NFL, doesn't the Ravens ownership have a horse in this race also? They were the employer. Shouldn't they be facing the same criticism as Goodell?

The Ravens organization is getting something of a pass here.

I figured this was because it's generally common knowledge that the Ravens organization is run by the worst people imaginable. It's like finding out that Hitler was covering up a sex abuse scandal in his administration. Yes, that's bad, but... c'mon, it's Hitler, what did you expect?

Huh??? Are you a Cleveland fan? Don't get this at ALL

 

[T Bell]

Judging by the ESPN talking heads this morning, he's done. Mike and Mike directly asked the NFLs Birch if they saw the video 2 months ago and he declined to answer. So the NFL knew it was out there. Just disgusting.

Just like Harbaugh declined to answer.

I guess the NFL thought they had this all contained. They knew the the hotel had video of what happened in the elevator, and that the hotel was going out of business. They knew prosecutors had a copy, they knew Rice's lawyer had a copy. Prosecutors didn't want to prosecute, Rice didn't want to prosecute and went with the diversionary program, Rice's fiance (now wife) did her best to convince the league to go easy, the Ravens did the same. None of them had any reason to release the video. And the NFL got overconfident and walked away after a 2-game slap for something they chose not to see.

Good job containing it, NFL.

I don't think it'll happen but I'd love to see Goodell fired for this.

I'm pretty sure this is how it went down. I could even envision the NFL buying the video off of the hotel in an effort to kill it; of course, data being what it is today...

 

[fatness]

Judging by the ESPN talking heads this morning, he's done. Mike and Mike directly asked the NFLs Birch if they saw the video 2 months ago and he declined to answer. So the NFL knew it was out there. Just disgusting.

Just like Harbaugh declined to answer.

I guess the NFL thought they had this all contained. They knew the the hotel had video of what happened in the elevator, and that the hotel was going out of business. They knew prosecutors had a copy, they knew Rice's lawyer had a copy. Prosecutors didn't want to prosecute, Rice didn't want to prosecute and went with the diversionary program, Rice's fiance (now wife) did her best to convince the league to go easy, the Ravens did the same. None of them had any reason to release the video. And the NFL got overconfident and walked away after a 2-game slap for something they chose not to see.

Good job containing it, NFL.

I don't think it'll happen but I'd love to see Goodell fired for this.

I'm pretty sure this is how it went down. I could even envision the NFL buying the video off of the hotel in an effort to kill it; of course, data being what it is today...

Well I'm pretty sure the NFL will smooth all this over by having the players wear pink boxing gloves. Or blindfolds.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

Judging by the ESPN talking heads this morning, he's done. Mike and Mike directly asked the NFLs Birch if they saw the video 2 months ago and he declined to answer. So the NFL knew it was out there. Just disgusting.

Just like Harbaugh declined to answer.

I guess the NFL thought they had this all contained. They knew the the hotel had video of what happened in the elevator, and that the hotel was going out of business. They knew prosecutors had a copy, they knew Rice's lawyer had a copy. Prosecutors didn't want to prosecute, Rice didn't want to prosecute and went with the diversionary program, Rice's fiance (now wife) did her best to convince the league to go easy, the Ravens did the same. None of them had any reason to release the video. And the NFL got overconfident and walked away after a 2-game slap for something they chose not to see.

Good job containing it, NFL.

I don't think it'll happen but I'd love to see Goodell fired for this.

I'm pretty sure this is how it went down. I could even envision the NFL buying the video off of the hotel in an effort to kill it; of course, data being what it is today...

TMZ > NFL

 

[T Bell]

One of the great things about this is that it's completely embarrassing the journalistic heavyweights who cover the NFL as being completely impotent when it comes to stories that might make the NFL look bad. They're so arrogant peddling information to us that's spoon fed from their drinking buddies in the NFL and with the various teams, but when it comes time to roll up their sleeves and dig for information, or to make their buddies feel uncomfortable, they're nowhere to be found.

That's why it took TMZ, which as an organization doesn't give two ####s about what the NFL thinks of them, to break this. A political parallel is the National Enquirer breaking the John Edwards affair story six or so years ago.

 

[Aerial Assault]

Absolutely amazing that Goodell and the Ravens knew about the tape, but were at worst willfully blind to it. Did they really think there was any chance that tape wouldn't eventually come out? The NFL looks so stupid here that I almost wonder if they wanted the tape to come out so they could get a "do-over" and get rid of Rice for (effectively) good, and just figured they would ride out the media firestorm. And how does Irsay get a six-game suspension for a DUI while Rice gets a two-gamer for cold-cocking his wife?

WINNERS: TMZ

LOSERS: Ravens, NFL, Goodell, ESPN etc., county prosecutors, Greg Hardy, and oh yes, Ray Rice

ONLY PERSON I FEEL SORRY FOR: Mrs. Rice

 

[Mr. Know-It-All]

Besides Goodell/NFL, doesn't the Ravens ownership have a horse in this race also? They were the employer. Shouldn't they be facing the same criticism as Goodell?

Janay's instagram quote today. Seems she is blaming the media for killing the cash cow. Everyone has their definition of love: "we will continue to grow and show the world what real love is!" ???

http://www.statesman.com/news/news/national/janay-rice-posts-instagram-husbands-release-horrib/nhJcL/

"I woke up this morning feeling like I had a horrible nightmare, feeling like I'm mourning the death of my closest friend. But to have to accept the fact that it's reality is a nightmare in itself. No one knows the pain that the media & unwanted options from the public has caused my family. To make us relive a moment in our lives that we regret every day is a horrible thing. To take something away from the man I love that he has worked his ### of for all his life just to gain ratings is horrific. THIS IS OUR LIFE! What don't you all get. If your intentions were to hurt us, embarrass us, make us feel alone, take all happiness away, you've succeeded on so many levels. Just know we will continue to grow & show the world what real love is! Ravensnation we love you!"

I find this fascinating. The woman shown unconscious in the video, the victim everyone is championing, is making this statement on her abuser's behalf.What does it mean?

1. The two of them have made great strides in therapy, Rice has taken full responsibility and is committed to being a better husband and father.

2. She is delusional. Ray still explodes with rage every so often, but that's just Ray. It's not everyone's idea of a perfect marriage, but we make it work. In other words, just playing out the stereotypical abusive relationship -- angry outbursts, violent attacks, tearful apologies, jewelry, promises to never do it again, rinse, repeat.

3. She will accept the occasional beating if it means a luxurious lifestyle. Plus all that money is providing for their kids' future. She's taking one for the team for the greater good.

4. Ray wrote that and Janay will go along with it if she knows what's good for her.

Do you know much about domestic abuse?

That is the one of the worst parts about this whole story. He beats his fiancé, he marries her, the tape is made public, he is canned from his job, she stands by her man (Stockholm Syndrome???), and now is stuck with the abuser without the benefit of his NFL salary. He is paying for his crime, and now she is also paying for his crime against her.

 

[T Bell]

Let's also not forget that this is the same NFL that prominently pimps itself to female fans with the Susan Komen jerseys, etc. Not that there was much doubt before, but that's clearly all about money too.

 

[trogg78]

How can any NFL investigation have any credibility going forward with Goodell as commish?

Since when has Goodell ever cared about credibility?

Since he changed the NFL domestic violence policy...again.

 

[Todd Andrews]

Goodell is the man.

 

[bigbottom]

Goodell is the man.

Nice. At this point, I wouldn't be surprised if he really did announce that.

 

[fatness]

Goodell is the man.

“I can assure you that any member of this league who strikes a woman in front of a live camera will face swift and heavy consequences. I also want to stress that this utterly reprehensible behavior is something we will in no way tolerate as long as the footage is completely uninterrupted and the entirety of the assault takes place within frame.” Goodell went on to clarify that in such cases, the NFL will cooperate fully with local authorities as soon as the league can no longer prevent incriminating evidence from being leaked to the media.

 

[Henry Ford]

DiGiorno just screwed up royally.

 

[Officer Pete Malloy]

DiGiorno just screwed up royally.

Broads have no sense of humor.

 

[Christo]

Judging by the ESPN talking heads this morning, he's done. Mike and Mike directly asked the NFLs Birch if they saw the video 2 months ago and he declined to answer. So the NFL knew it was out there. Just disgusting.

I don't believe the NFL's account at all. I believe Goodell himself saw the full video very early on, and has since willfully participated in a cover-up.

Then you must also believe Goodell is an idiot.

Do you think Nixon was an idiot?

No

 

[T Bell]

Add Nev Schulmann's name to the list of twats exposed by this story.

I didn't know who this guy was until I happened to see his tweet last night. That he was expelled from college for domestic abuse makes that tweet unbelievable.

 

[Fennis]

Add Nev Schulmann's name to the list of twats exposed by this story.

I didn't know who this guy was until I happened to see his tweet last night. That he was expelled from college for domestic abuse makes that tweet unbelievable.

Not that it matters, but It wasn't domestic abuse. He got in a fight with and punched a woman he didn't know.

 

[Officer Pete Malloy]

Add Nev Schulmann's name to the list of twats exposed by this story.

I didn't know who this guy was until I happened to see his tweet last night. That he was expelled from college for domestic abuse makes that tweet unbelievable.

Not that it matters, but It wasn't domestic abuse. He got in a fight with and punched a woman he didn't know.

And it wasn't at home either.

 

[T Bell]

Add Nev Schulmann's name to the list of twats exposed by this story.

I didn't know who this guy was until I happened to see his tweet last night. That he was expelled from college for domestic abuse makes that tweet unbelievable.

Not that it matters, but It wasn't domestic abuse. He got in a fight with and punched a woman he didn't know.

And it wasn't at home either.

Foreign wrasslin'?

 

[Bottomfeeder Sports]

Goodell isn't getting fired. That's a bit much to expect.

Really the major upside here is the NFL and other scumbag organizations and leagues are finding out they just can't hide their dirty laundry anymore. They have to be more open and accountable for these actions they are taking, because there are people who don't need their money and they are going to bring all this stuff to the surface.

Never thought I would say this, but GB TMZ.

Sadly, the bold is true. It's beyond naive to think he didn't know about the video. That he went out of his way not to see it is even worse than if he had seen it and tried to hide it IMO. It's truly pathetic that TMZ, of all sources, is being the moral compass here. Absolutely brutal.

But Goodell's job isn't to provide the "moral compass" for anything. It is to "protect the shield". Maybe ten years ago "looking the other way" would have been the best approach to protect the image of the NFL. God knows it was the approach 60 years ago. But in 2014? How the hell can the NFL have allowed itself to be so blindsided? How could absolutely the best organization at dictating the narrative find itself in such a defensive position? How can the celebration of "Back to Football" be shoved off of the front page for this? How can Thursday night's game which just happens to be the day before Defender's Day which precedes the celebration of the 200th anniversary of the national anthem now be so tainted? Goodell, despite his holier than thou persona's failure isn't with his brushing aside such an immoral act, but for not controlling the narrative and allowing that act to tarnish the league.Now please don't confuse this with a defense of any moral failings. Recognizing the cynical world for what it is is not a defense of it. Besides the NFL is a organization who has one job - to make money for its owners. Isn't that what we are told all the time?

I'm not saying his job was to be the moral compass. We can argue his "job" as a man until the cows come home. That wasn't my point. Even if his job is to "protect the shield", did his actions/decisions do that? Is the "shield" in a better position right now than it would have been had he addressed it up front? I'd like to understand the argument that his decisions in this whole thing have been the best path he could have taken to "protect the shield".

I think you guys are saying the same thing.

Except for expecting the decisions to be based on morality I think we are. I find this whole thing unbelievable in that no matter how you cut this Goodell lost control of the narrative which the NFL seldom does.

 

[otello]

How can any NFL investigation have any credibility going forward with Goodell as commish?

Since when has Goodell ever cared about credibility?

Since he changed the NFL domestic violence policy...again.

How did the initial video get out?

 

[trogg78]

How can any NFL investigation have any credibility going forward with Goodell as commish?

Since when has Goodell ever cared about credibility?

Since he changed the NFL domestic violence policy...again.

How did the initial video get out?

It wasn't me.

 

[comfortably numb]

I forgot.

Is it Thursday or Friday that we start talking about removing Warren Moon from the HOF?

I can't keep up with my outrage schedule.

 

[Fennis]

I forgot.

Is it Thursday or Friday that we start talking about removing Warren Moon from the HOF?

I can't keep up with my outrage schedule.

We should all be happy times have changed/are changing. Although they clearly have a ways to go, you can keep a husband punching a wife in the face on your outrage schedule.

Hopefully a Warren Moon would be convicted today, and if not punished professionally.

http://www.nytimes.com/1996/02/23/sports/pro-football-jury-rapidly-acquits-moon-of-spousal-abuse-charges.html

Moon's trial has stirred controversy because prosecutors charged Moon with scratching, hitting and choking his wife, Felicia, despite her pleas that they abandon the case.

Compelled to testify under a state law passed last Sept. 1, Felicia Moon, 39, took the stand on three of the trial's eight days and told jurors she was at fault for an altercation with her husband at their nearby Missouri City home last July 18 that left scratches and bruises on her face, neck, back and leg. She said she threw a candleholder at Moon and kneed him in the groin during an argument over credit cards. Her wounds, she said, were the result of her husband trying to "restrain" her. Moon said the same thing in his testimony Wednesday and today.

Explaining why they voted to acquit Moon, the jurors Rachael Rogers of Missouri City, Tex., and James Rodgers of Fulshear, Tex., both said the quarterback "needed another chance." They also agreed that violence is common in marriages. "There's some sort of slapping in most marriages," Rodgers said

.

 

[bigbottom]

Some sort of slapping in most marriages? Man, if I ever slapped my wife, I'm reasonably confident that while she may be compliant in the moment, I would wake up that night in a pool of my own blood.

 

[rockaction]

One of the great things about this is that it's completely embarrassing the journalistic heavyweights who cover the NFL as being completely impotent when it comes to stories that might make the NFL look bad. They're so arrogant peddling information to us that's spoon fed from their drinking buddies in the NFL and with the various teams, but when it comes time to roll up their sleeves and dig for information, or to make their buddies feel uncomfortable, they're nowhere to be found.

That's why it took TMZ, which as an organization doesn't give two ####s about what the NFL thinks of them, to break this. A political parallel is the National Enquirer breaking the John Edwards affair story six or so years ago.

Uh, so no liberal media? Or is this an access argument?

Also, the dude from the Catfish/Sarah Lawrence incident describes a situation much different than Gawker's headline or your post would indicate. A girl at a party charged him and was in the process of tackling him and damaging his camera. He hit her. No charges were filed. He also claims she was so butch he didn't know it was a woman. This is easily ascertainable with about a minute of reading.

 

[McGarnicle]

Some sort of slapping in most marriages? Man, if I ever slapped my wife, I'm reasonably confident that while she may be compliant in the moment, I would wake up that night in a pool of my own blood.

There is definitely some slapping in my marriage.

 

[fatness]

One of the great things about this is that it's completely embarrassing the journalistic heavyweights who cover the NFL as being completely impotent when it comes to stories that might make the NFL look bad. They're so arrogant peddling information to us that's spoon fed from their drinking buddies in the NFL and with the various teams, but when it comes time to roll up their sleeves and dig for information, or to make their buddies feel uncomfortable, they're nowhere to be found.

That's why it took TMZ, which as an organization doesn't give two ####s about what the NFL thinks of them, to break this. A political parallel is the National Enquirer breaking the John Edwards affair story six or so years ago.

Uh, so no liberal media? Or is this an access argument?

Also, the dude from the Catfish/Sarah Lawrence incident describes a situation much different than Gawker's headline or your post would indicate. A girl at a party charged him and was in the process of tackling him and damaging his camera. He hit her. No charges were filed. He also claims she was so butch he didn't know it was a woman. This is easily ascertainable with about a minute of reading.

It's also easily ascertainable with about a minute of reading that all the other witnesses contradict his story.

http://gawker.com/nev-from-catfish-was-kicked-out-of-college-after-punchi-1632568249?utm_campaign=socialflow_gawker_twitter&utm_source=gawker_twitter&utm_medium=socialflow

 

[parasaurolophus]

I don't really understand the outrage toward the NFl, Goodell, and the ravens. Most people probably work with somebody that has done something terrible in their lifetime. Most people shop at a store or eat at a restaurant where one of the people that helps them did something on par with this. If we always made sure that every employer acted swiftly and canned all these people, we would have a lot of extra people collecting handouts.

If I had an applicant and was about to hire and then I learned that the guy was convicted 5 years ago for beating his wife and then I said, "oh wait, I don't want to hire him now" I would likely be breaking the law. I don't really like this, but it is the law of the land and there are at least some good reasons for this law. Seems a bit disingenuous to be upset at anybody other than Ray Rice here.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

If I had an applicant and was about to hire and then I learned that the guy was convicted 5 years ago for beating his wife and then I said, "oh wait, I don't want to hire him now" I would likely be breaking the law.

No , you wouldn't.

 

[fatness]

Most people shop at a store or eat at a restaurant where one of the people that helps them did something on par with this. If we always made sure that every employer acted swiftly and canned all these people, we would have a lot of extra people collecting handouts.

So what? The employers would hire other people to do those jobs.

 

[Ned]

I forgot.

Is it Thursday or Friday that we start talking about removing Warren Moon from the HOF?

I can't keep up with my outrage schedule.

outrage schedule

 

[Christo]

I don't really understand the outrage toward the NFl, Goodell, and the ravens. Most people probably work with somebody that has done something terrible in their lifetime. Most people shop at a store or eat at a restaurant where one of the people that helps them did something on par with this. If we always made sure that every employer acted swiftly and canned all these people, we would have a lot of extra people collecting handouts.

If I had an applicant and was about to hire and then I learned that the guy was convicted 5 years ago for beating his wife and then I said, "oh wait, I don't want to hire him now" I would likely be breaking the law. I don't really like this, but it is the law of the land and there are at least some good reasons for this law. Seems a bit disingenuous to be upset at anybody other than Ray Rice here.

 

[bigbottom]

If I had an applicant and was about to hire and then I learned that the guy was convicted 5 years ago for beating his wife and then I said, "oh wait, I don't want to hire him now" I would likely be breaking the law. I don't really like this, but it is the law of the land and there are at least some good reasons for this law.

We've got some good news for you!

 

[pollardsvision]

Haven't followed this thread too closely, what do most think happened?

A. NFL/Ravens never saw the tape

B. They saw the tape, and somehow never thought it would get out

C. They saw the tape, and didn't think there would be such a strong media/fan backlash

D. They saw the tape, attempted to acquire every copy and bury it, but failed.

Am I missing some other plausible option here?

A and C don't seem likely at all, so I'm only left wondering the hows and whys of D or some delusional version of B (that's awfully hard to believe).

Surely they wouldn't take such a risk to protect a single player (much less the most replaceable position in the league). Were they just really, really wanting this to somehow slide by so they wouldn't have to really address the larger issue of having so many wife beaters in the league?

 

[Bottomfeeder Sports]

Haven't followed this thread too closely, what do most think happened?

A. NFL/Ravens never saw the tape

B. They saw the tape, and somehow never thought it would get out

C. They saw the tape, and didn't think there would be such a strong media/fan backlash

D. They saw the tape, attempted to acquire every copy and bury it, but failed.

Am I missing some other plausible option here?

A and C don't seem likely at all, so I'm only left wondering the hows and whys of D or some delusional version of B (that's awfully hard to believe).

Surely they wouldn't take such a risk to protect a single player (much less the most replaceable position in the league). Were they just really, really wanting this to somehow slide by so they wouldn't have to really address the larger issue of having so many wife beaters in the league?

I'd like to think the relatively immediate reactions on Monday by both the NFL and the Ravens management suggest that they had not seen the tape. I can even kind of understand the Ravens allowing the NFL do the investigating after the first few days, but even still none of your scenarios make any real sense to me. Whether they looked at the tape and concluded it isn't too bad. Or, they looked at it and thought they had to bury it. Or, they heard the real story and chose not to look. Or, they heard a white washed story and chose not to look further. Anyway you shake it the NFL failed in what had previously been to an unimaginable degree, and the Ravens management allowed themselves to throw very public support behind a situation that at the very least humiliated them. And the one statement from a Ravens player I heard (Chris Canty) clearly seems to show at least one player in the locker room felt betrayed by all of this.

 

[bagger]

Absolutely amazing that Goodell and the Ravens knew about the tape, but were at worst willfully blind to it. Did they really think there was any chance that tape wouldn't eventually come out? The NFL looks so stupid here that I almost wonder if they wanted the tape to come out so they could get a "do-over" and get rid of Rice for (effectively) good, and just figured they would ride out the media firestorm. And how does Irsay get a six-game suspension for a DUI while Rice gets a two-gamer for cold-cocking his wife?

WINNERS: TMZ

LOSERS: Ravens, NFL, Goodell, ESPN etc., county prosecutors, Greg Hardy, and oh yes, Ray Rice

ONLY PERSON I FEEL SORRY FOR: Mrs. Rice

glad we are making sure people are winning or losing in here.

 

[fatness]

Atlantic City is a gambling town. We can now add the NFL to the long list of those who liked their odds in an Atlantic City casino and walked away losers.

The NFL bet that what happened between former Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice and his then-fiancée/now wife Janay Palmer in the elevator of an Atlantic City casino would never see the light of day. That all we would see was the aftermath, Rice dragging his unconscious significant other out of the elevator of the Revel Casino after a physical altercation in February.

It gambled that the horrific video of Rice slugging Palmer, published by TMZ.com on Monday, would remain concealed. It gambled that the public outcry over the league’s far too lenient two-game suspension for Rice announced on July 24 would subside and the public would be satiated by commissioner Roger Goodell’s mea culpa and the league’s recently announced tougher standards for those who commit domestic violence.

The NFL gambled and it lost.

http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2014/09/09/nfl-gambled-that-ray-rice-video-would-remain-concealed-and-lost/MALPXu3G3DQUA9cfsk3ovN/story.html?p1=Article_Related_Box_Article

 

[TobiasFunke]

It's good to see that Ravens owner Steve Biscotti is following through on his pledge to "help put more of a spotlight on intimate partner violence" by tweeting out multiople images of Terrell Suggs modeling their newest t-shirt.

From Suggs' Wikipedia entry:

Suggs has two children with Candace Williams. In December 2012 an attorney representing him confirmed Suggs surrendered his firearms to police in response to a court order filed the previous month by Ms. Williams. In 2009 Williams filed a complaint against Suggs alleging he threw a soap dispenser at her head, struck her in the chest with his hand and held a bottle of bleach over her and their 1 year old son.[27] According to a December 2012 report. In September of 2012 Suggs was accused of punching and dragging his girlfriend Candace Williams beside his car with his two children inside. A temporary protective order was placed against Suggs, causing him to surrender an AK-47 and 6 other guns.[28]

Shine that spotlight, Ravens!

 

[Sammy3469]

Haven't followed this thread too closely, what do most think happened?

A. NFL/Ravens never saw the tape

B. They saw the tape, and somehow never thought it would get out

C. They saw the tape, and didn't think there would be such a strong media/fan backlash

D. They saw the tape, attempted to acquire every copy and bury it, but failed.

Am I missing some other plausible option here?

A and C don't seem likely at all, so I'm only left wondering the hows and whys of D or some delusional version of B (that's awfully hard to believe).

Surely they wouldn't take such a risk to protect a single player (much less the most replaceable position in the league). Were they just really, really wanting this to somehow slide by so they wouldn't have to really address the larger issue of having so many wife beaters in the league?

I'd like to think the relatively immediate reactions on Monday by both the NFL and the Ravens management suggest that they had not seen the tape. I can even kind of understand the Ravens allowing the NFL do the investigating after the first few days, but even still none of your scenarios make any real sense to me. Whether they looked at the tape and concluded it isn't too bad. Or, they looked at it and thought they had to bury it. Or, they heard the real story and chose not to look. Or, they heard a white washed story and chose not to look further. Anyway you shake it the NFL failed in what had previously been to an unimaginable degree, and the Ravens management allowed themselves to throw very public support behind a situation that at the very least humiliated them. And the one statement from a Ravens player I heard (Chris Canty) clearly seems to show at least one player in the locker room felt betrayed by all of this.

My guess is the NFL either let sleeping dogs lie after the AC DAs office basically gave him a slap on the wrist or independent NFL investigators (ie non-NFL employees) saw the tape and told the NFL lawyers not to look since presumably it would never be made public.

Once the AC DA settled the case like they did, I'm sure the natural response was sure we didn't see the video, but it couldn't be that bad based on the criminal resolution.

 

[Tom Servo]

Some sort of slapping in most marriages? Man, if I ever slapped my wife, I'm reasonably confident that while she may be compliant in the moment, I would wake up that night in a pool of my own blood.

There is definitely some slapping in my marriage.

Nobody's interested in your sex life, Ron Jeremy.

 

[The Commish]

Goodell isn't getting fired. That's a bit much to expect.

Really the major upside here is the NFL and other scumbag organizations and leagues are finding out they just can't hide their dirty laundry anymore. They have to be more open and accountable for these actions they are taking, because there are people who don't need their money and they are going to bring all this stuff to the surface.

Never thought I would say this, but GB TMZ.

Sadly, the bold is true. It's beyond naive to think he didn't know about the video. That he went out of his way not to see it is even worse than if he had seen it and tried to hide it IMO. It's truly pathetic that TMZ, of all sources, is being the moral compass here. Absolutely brutal.

But Goodell's job isn't to provide the "moral compass" for anything. It is to "protect the shield". Maybe ten years ago "looking the other way" would have been the best approach to protect the image of the NFL. God knows it was the approach 60 years ago. But in 2014? How the hell can the NFL have allowed itself to be so blindsided? How could absolutely the best organization at dictating the narrative find itself in such a defensive position? How can the celebration of "Back to Football" be shoved off of the front page for this? How can Thursday night's game which just happens to be the day before Defender's Day which precedes the celebration of the 200th anniversary of the national anthem now be so tainted? Goodell, despite his holier than thou persona's failure isn't with his brushing aside such an immoral act, but for not controlling the narrative and allowing that act to tarnish the league.Now please don't confuse this with a defense of any moral failings. Recognizing the cynical world for what it is is not a defense of it. Besides the NFL is a organization who has one job - to make money for its owners. Isn't that what we are told all the time?

I'm not saying his job was to be the moral compass. We can argue his "job" as a man until the cows come home. That wasn't my point. Even if his job is to "protect the shield", did his actions/decisions do that? Is the "shield" in a better position right now than it would have been had he addressed it up front? I'd like to understand the argument that his decisions in this whole thing have been the best path he could have taken to "protect the shield".

I think you guys are saying the same thing.

Except for expecting the decisions to be based on morality I think we are. I find this whole thing unbelievable in that no matter how you cut this Goodell lost control of the narrative which the NFL seldom does.

This is a moral issue though. I'm not sure how you remove it from the decision making process. The reason the NFL is getting so much backlash is because of their reactive nature to these kinds of issues. They are weighing an event like this (and it's punishment) against events like smoking pot or killing someone with a car (and the punishments that went with those events) and asking how the NFL's actions make any sense.

Having to weigh morality into a decision <> being the moral compass for the NFL or making the decision base on morality (alone).

 

[Notorious T.R.E.]

Some sort of slapping in most marriages? Man, if I ever slapped my wife, I'm reasonably confident that while she may be compliant in the moment, I would wake up that night in a pool of my own blood.

There is definitely some slapping in my marriage.

Nobody's interested in your sex life, Ron Jeremy.

I'm slightly interested.

 

[Captain Quinoa]

Some sort of slapping in most marriages? Man, if I ever slapped my wife, I'm reasonably confident that while she may be compliant in the moment, I would wake up that night in a pool of my own blood.

There is definitely some slapping in my marriage.

Nobody's interested in your sex life, Ron Jeremy.

I'm slightly interested.

I'm at full attention

 

[Hang 10]

How the hell does Goodell manage to suspend Rice indefinitely after he just changed the domestic violence rule to 6 games for a first offense?

 

[TobiasFunke]

How the hell does Goodell manage to suspend Rice indefinitely after he just changed the domestic violence rule to 6 games for a first offense?

If he can change it on a whim why can't he change it again on a whim? The fact that he changed it the first time without a peep from the NFLPA tells me that either the penalty structure wasn't built in to the CBA itself or the players' association is smart enough to know that they probably shouldn't challenge the shift.

 

[The Commish]

How the hell does Goodell manage to suspend Rice indefinitely after he just changed the domestic violence rule to 6 games for a first offense?

It's not part that's been collectively bargained...he can do whatever he wants. He's judge, jury and executioner. Part of the systemic problem in the NFL.

 

[parasaurolophus]

If I had an applicant and was about to hire and then I learned that the guy was convicted 5 years ago for beating his wife and then I said, "oh wait, I don't want to hire him now" I would likely be breaking the law. I don't really like this, but it is the law of the land and there are at least some good reasons for this law.

We've got some good news for you!

http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/wisconsin-laws-employer-use-arrest-conviction-records.html"In Wisconsin, it is illegal discrimination for an employer to make job decisions, including decisions about whom to hire, based on an applicants arrest or conviction record (with the exceptions noted below). Employers may not ask applicants questions about arrests unless the charges are still pending.

Employers may decide not to hire an applicant based on his or her criminal record if:

The applicant has a pending arrest charge that substantially relates to the job.

The applicant has a conviction that substantially relates to the job.

The applicant is applying for certain types of positions, including private detective or burglar alarm installation.

The applicant is applying for a position that requires bonding, and the applicants criminal record would preclude bonding"

I am not a lawyer and I didn't realize that wisconsin was an exception. Kinda just figured it was this way everywhere. I will also concede I could be somehow misunderstanding wisconsin law, but considering h r has always told me not to consider it, I don't think I am.

 

[avoiding injuries]

I live in Baltimore but I am not a Ravens fan. My 4yo daughter has a Rice jersey that will no longer be worn.

Listening to local talk radio the past couple of days, Ive heard some arguments that have made me consider being sympathetic towards Rice. One host said that there are currently 21 cases of domestic abuse ongoing amongst NFL players. I couldn't name another one. Just on the Ravens, in 2009 Suggs punched his girlfriend (now wife) in the neck and poured bleach on her while he held her down. What? Can you imagine seeing that video? He didn't get cut and they didn't do a jersey exchange back then.

Lots of hypocrisy going around (including Ray Lewis again on a national stage) and a bunch of CYA.

If the NFL and Ravens had handled this correctly and suspended Rice for at least 6 games like the new rule says, or for the entire season, I'm not sure the mob mentality grows this big.