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Ray Rice's Domestic Abuse Presser Sends Wrong Message (1 Viewer)

otello said:
Abraham said:
Baloney Sandwich said:
timschochet said:
I don't understand why so any people are asking "why did it take the video?" Or arguing that the video hasn't changed anything.

The video released Monday has changed EVERYTHING. Apparently some of you don't remember that Rice's actions inside that elevator were very much in question and hotly debated here and elsewhere. He had many defenders who argued that we don't know what happened and tried to justify Rice's actions . All of that is gone now .
exactly which is why it seems a lot more plausible that the NFL never saw the video than they saw it and are trying to cover things up. my guess is they preferred not to see the video which is why their excuses for not getting a copy are the lie, not that they had seen it and buried it.
I would bet my life that Roger didn't see the tape prior to Monday. The NFL may have had it, there may have been other people that viewed it, but no way did anyone let him near it.
if the nfl had the tape then there is no reason he should not have seen it, given his role in the disciplinary process.
Actually, if the AP report is accurate, then it was leaked evidence and the NFL shouldn't have had it. Plenty of reasons for a lawyer such as Goodell to not see such evidence.

 
Personally I don't think Sean Payton should have been suspended if he didn't know what was going on, and Roger Goodell was wrong about that. And regardless of the apparent double standard or hypocrisy, I don't think Goodell should be fired either so long as he did not know what was going on. IMO, ignorance IS an excuse, and it's a fairly good one.
How about intentional ignorance? I'm starting to lean to Goodell not viewing the video, intentionally.

Rice tells them what happens in the elevator. It sounds terrible to everyone. They know the video inside the elevator exists, but the only thing made public was outside the elevator. So if no one ever sees it, then we can go off of the public video.

Lawyers advise Goodell that the police won't give him the video and the Revel will, so don't ask the Revel but ask the police knowing we can't get it, then you can declare we tried.

Lawyers alert Goodell that the video arrived unsolicited and tell him exactly what's on the video blow for blow. It's terrible. They then advise him to not watch the video and he can claim he never seen it.

Goodell works for the owners and has a Ravens owner with one of the better players on his team making a lot of money and he's in trouble. Rice isn't convicted but Goodell suspends him for 2 games, without viewing the video, hoping this will all be forgotten. If this was the 52nd player on the roster, you think the hammer would've hit a little harder? Better believe it. And if that video was public it would've been a lot harsher for Rice.

He intentionally stayed away from viewing the video two times. He'll never admit that, but no one has asked him yet either.

So what's the punishment for intentional ignorance?
Good points. To me what you're describing is no different from deliberate guilt. What I wrote does not include this sort of behavior, which IMO would justify Goodell being fired. Ignorance cannot be intentional.

 
Can you guys start a new thread when Goodell is fired or at least change the thread title because I'm not coming back in here to read through umpteen pages of iSlapfights again.

 
I have no clue what the outcome of this will be but what I do know is that with every subsequent HUGE BREAKING NEWS story that gets treatment like this has I become more and more convinced that we are ####ed as a species.

 
So does anyone else question how "independent" this investigation will be?

You have Mara and Rooney heading it for the NFL. Mara, the same guy that wanted the Redskins and Cowboys docked salary cap money for going over the "cap" in an uncapped year. Funny both of those teams were in his division.

The firm that is investigating it for the NFL, was part of the negotiating group for the NFL for the latest TV agreement. Also, the NFL's #2 lawyer and Ravens President **** Cass, both formerly worked at the firm.

This already doesn't smell right and the investigation hasn't even started.

 
So does anyone else question how "independent" this investigation will be?

You have Mara and Rooney heading it for the NFL. Mara, the same guy that wanted the Redskins and Cowboys docked salary cap money for going over the "cap" in an uncapped year. Funny both of those teams were in his division.

The firm that is investigating it for the NFL, was part of the negotiating group for the NFL for the latest TV agreement. Also, the NFL's #2 lawyer and Ravens President **** Cass, both formerly worked at the firm.

This already doesn't smell right and the investigation hasn't even started.
Of course...most of us question it.

 
So does anyone else question how "independent" this investigation will be?

You have Mara and Rooney heading it for the NFL. Mara, the same guy that wanted the Redskins and Cowboys docked salary cap money for going over the "cap" in an uncapped year. Funny both of those teams were in his division.

The firm that is investigating it for the NFL, was part of the negotiating group for the NFL for the latest TV agreement. Also, the NFL's #2 lawyer and Ravens President **** Cass, both formerly worked at the firm.

This already doesn't smell right and the investigation hasn't even started.
Honestly who cares if its "independent" there is no criminal culpability here - how a business wants to operate is largely their own concern. If they want to protect Goodell, why should the public, or Women's Groups, or Congress care?

Bottom lime - these are BILLIONAIRES - they know a thing or two about protecting an investment. If they want someone like Goodell in place to take the slings and arrows in place of the owners, then they will find he acted appropriately, and fire someone lower on the food chain.

Why does it matter to anyone, other than the players, who is the commissioner? Does it impact your desire to watch the product on the field?

 
So does anyone else question how "independent" this investigation will be?

You have Mara and Rooney heading it for the NFL. Mara, the same guy that wanted the Redskins and Cowboys docked salary cap money for going over the "cap" in an uncapped year. Funny both of those teams were in his division.

The firm that is investigating it for the NFL, was part of the negotiating group for the NFL for the latest TV agreement. Also, the NFL's #2 lawyer and Ravens President **** Cass, both formerly worked at the firm.

This already doesn't smell right and the investigation hasn't even started.
Honestly who cares if its "independent" there is no criminal culpability here - how a business wants to operate is largely their own concern. If they want to protect Goodell, why should the public, or Women's Groups, or Congress care?

Bottom lime - these are BILLIONAIRES - they know a thing or two about protecting an investment. If they want someone like Goodell in place to take the slings and arrows in place of the owners, then they will find he acted appropriately, and fire someone lower on the food chain.

Why does it matter to anyone, other than the players, who is the commissioner? Does it impact your desire to watch the product on the field?
Yes, absolutely.

ETA: I suppose I don't really care who the commissioner is, but I do care if the NFL has any integrity or accountability. It's the same thing you see on a smaller scale when fans are less supportive of a team when they don't like the actions of the owner. When the people putting out the product are horrible it's harder to enjoy the product.

 
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So does anyone else question how "independent" this investigation will be?

You have Mara and Rooney heading it for the NFL. Mara, the same guy that wanted the Redskins and Cowboys docked salary cap money for going over the "cap" in an uncapped year. Funny both of those teams were in his division.

The firm that is investigating it for the NFL, was part of the negotiating group for the NFL for the latest TV agreement. Also, the NFL's #2 lawyer and Ravens President **** Cass, both formerly worked at the firm.

This already doesn't smell right and the investigation hasn't even started.
Honestly who cares if its "independent" there is no criminal culpability here - how a business wants to operate is largely their own concern. If they want to protect Goodell, why should the public, or Women's Groups, or Congress care?

Bottom lime - these are BILLIONAIRES - they know a thing or two about protecting an investment. If they want someone like Goodell in place to take the slings and arrows in place of the owners, then they will find he acted appropriately, and fire someone lower on the food chain.

Why does it matter to anyone, other than the players, who is the commissioner? Does it impact your desire to watch the product on the field?
I think the Eagles would have had a better first half last week if Goddell wasn't still the commissioner. :angry:

 
IMO, ignorance IS an excuse, and it's a fairly good one.
Convenient.
Willful ignorance?

Seriously
It's tim, what do you expect.

I don't know what I find less outlandish, Goodell viewed the tape and is lying about it or the NFL personnel (most likely lawyers) sat on the tape and didn't inform him they had seen it even after it's release. In the first scenario Goodell's flat out lying to the public because he thinks he can get away with it, in the second he's this corrupt monster who runs a ship where he wants to plausibly deny everything of any importance. Neither portray the NFL and its owners in a good light.

 
Christo said:
Captain Quinoa said:
Sammy3469 said:
Koya said:
FWIW, NOW's overall message is to a large degree on point. This has really been pushed under the rug overall.

That said, to take action before a legal process has moved forward, without real hard evidence, is totally off base.
I don't know about that anymore. There are lots of professions these days where even the arrest would get most likely get you suspended/fired.
Sure, fired from your employer (team). But banned from the profession altogether?
If I was taped knocking out my fiance in an elevator I'd lose my license.
I mean, I'm sure a lawyer would get fired from their firm or other employer. I'm not sure why you think you'd lose your license. Nearly all the states follow the ABA on this one and I just don't think domestic abuse would qualify as an act that would adversely reflect on your fitness as a lawyer in other respects.
http://www.americanbar.org/newsletter/publications/law_trends_news_practice_area_e_newsletter_home/domviolence.html

Attorneys guilty of committing domestic violence face disciplinary measures from their state bar, including, but not limited to, public censure or reprimand, [FN76]suspension, [FN77] or disbarment. [FN78] Courts justify imposing discipline on attorneys for nonprofessional misconduct as appropriate to protect the public, preserve the reputation and integrity of the legal profession, and enhance public confidence in attorneys. [FN79]
I guess I've just never seen it on the discipline blotters. Disbarment in general seems pretty rare.

 
So does anyone else question how "independent" this investigation will be?

You have Mara and Rooney heading it for the NFL. Mara, the same guy that wanted the Redskins and Cowboys docked salary cap money for going over the "cap" in an uncapped year. Funny both of those teams were in his division.

The firm that is investigating it for the NFL, was part of the negotiating group for the NFL for the latest TV agreement. Also, the NFL's #2 lawyer and Ravens President **** Cass, both formerly worked at the firm.

This already doesn't smell right and the investigation hasn't even started.
Honestly who cares if its "independent" there is no criminal culpability here - how a business wants to operate is largely their own concern. If they want to protect Goodell, why should the public, or Women's Groups, or Congress care?

Bottom lime - these are BILLIONAIRES - they know a thing or two about protecting an investment. If they want someone like Goodell in place to take the slings and arrows in place of the owners, then they will find he acted appropriately, and fire someone lower on the food chain.

Why does it matter to anyone, other than the players, who is the commissioner? Does it impact your desire to watch the product on the field?
I think the NFL's partners and its fans, particularly its female fans, care about how the investigation is conducted (I don't think it will be a whitewash, FWIW).

I personally care. Not so much about who had the tape and when, but about what steps were taken to find out what happened. Did investigators interview Revel employees? Did they ask what was on the tape? Were they mislead about what was on the tape? I think those are all relevant questions that I don't yet know the answer to.

In truth, I've found it harder and harder to remain a fan of pro football. I don't enjoy the televised product as much. And I have a sneaking suspicion that the game can never be made safe in its current incarnation. Without those concerns, I doubt that these revelations would have much effect on my fandom. I still love soccer and FIFA makes the NFL look open and transparent by comparison. But because I'm already on the fence, they matter.

 
Why does it matter to anyone, other than the players, who is the commissioner?
Saints fans care, for sure. We might be full of it, but the collective fan base down here feels like Roger Goodell capriciously robbed the Saints of one of their prime seasons during the Brees-led window of opportunity. The evidence always felt trumped up and tenuous, and he backtracked off the player suspensions quickly once a court case was imminent (Jonathan Vilma et al sued Goodell personally, and would have had their day in court).

The hope is that someone with a more finely-tuned moral compass will not cut down a team like that in the same manner. More generally, many don't want someone like that in charge of a competitive enterprise.

 
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Christo said:
Captain Quinoa said:
Sammy3469 said:
Koya said:
FWIW, NOW's overall message is to a large degree on point. This has really been pushed under the rug overall.

That said, to take action before a legal process has moved forward, without real hard evidence, is totally off base.
I don't know about that anymore. There are lots of professions these days where even the arrest would get most likely get you suspended/fired.
Sure, fired from your employer (team). But banned from the profession altogether?
If I was taped knocking out my fiance in an elevator I'd lose my license.
I mean, I'm sure a lawyer would get fired from their firm or other employer. I'm not sure why you think you'd lose your license. Nearly all the states follow the ABA on this one and I just don't think domestic abuse would qualify as an act that would adversely reflect on your fitness as a lawyer in other respects.
http://www.americanbar.org/newsletter/publications/law_trends_news_practice_area_e_newsletter_home/domviolence.html

Attorneys guilty of committing domestic violence face disciplinary measures from their state bar, including, but not limited to, public censure or reprimand, [FN76]suspension, [FN77] or disbarment. [FN78] Courts justify imposing discipline on attorneys for nonprofessional misconduct as appropriate to protect the public, preserve the reputation and integrity of the legal profession, and enhance public confidence in attorneys. [FN79]
I guess I've just never seen it on the discipline blotters. Disbarment in general seems pretty rare.
It's often an indefinite suspension with eligibility to reapply in three years. And then turned down, and offered another in three years. Ad infinitum.

 
GB The Onion

Goodell Assures Fans He Was Too Busy Dismissing Other Players’ Assaults To Watch Ray Rice Tape


NEW YORK—In response to allegations that his office had received a copy of the footage months ago showing former Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice hitting his then-fiancée, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell assured fans Thursday that he had been far too busy dismissing other players’ assault cases during that time to have watched the video. “To those raising accusations that I saw the disturbing surveillance footage of Ray Rice before its public release, I promise you that I was too completely engrossed with side-stepping, whitewashing, and disregarding numerous other domestic violence cases to have time to view the clip,” said Goodell, adding that reviewing physical abuse charges against dozens of other players, sugarcoating the details of these incidents to the press, and burying evidence incriminating the NFL for negligence left little time for much else. “Between glossing over all criminal charges of domestic violence against players and making numerous statements about how we would wait to see how the courts handle things first, there’s really no way I could find a free moment to sit down and watch that entire video.” Goodell added that in order to allay concerns of misconduct regarding the NFL’s handling of domestic abuse, the league is appointing a third party to independently investigate the Rice case and nothing else
http://www.theonion.com/articles/goodell-assures-fans-he-was-too-busy-dismissing-ot,36912/?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=SocialMarketing&utm_campaign=LinkPreview:1:Default

 
So does anyone else question how "independent" this investigation will be?

You have Mara and Rooney heading it for the NFL. Mara, the same guy that wanted the Redskins and Cowboys docked salary cap money for going over the "cap" in an uncapped year. Funny both of those teams were in his division.

The firm that is investigating it for the NFL, was part of the negotiating group for the NFL for the latest TV agreement. Also, the NFL's #2 lawyer and Ravens President **** Cass, both formerly worked at the firm.

This already doesn't smell right and the investigation hasn't even started.
Honestly who cares if its "independent" there is no criminal culpability here - how a business wants to operate is largely their own concern. If they want to protect Goodell, why should the public, or Women's Groups, or Congress care?

Bottom lime - these are BILLIONAIRES - they know a thing or two about protecting an investment. If they want someone like Goodell in place to take the slings and arrows in place of the owners, then they will find he acted appropriately, and fire someone lower on the food chain.

Why does it matter to anyone, other than the players, who is the commissioner? Does it impact your desire to watch the product on the field?
I think the NFL's partners and its fans, particularly its female fans, care about how the investigation is conducted (I don't think it will be a whitewash, FWIW).

I personally care. Not so much about who had the tape and when, but about what steps were taken to find out what happened. Did investigators interview Revel employees? Did they ask what was on the tape? Were they mislead about what was on the tape? I think those are all relevant questions that I don't yet know the answer to.

In truth, I've found it harder and harder to remain a fan of pro football. I don't enjoy the televised product as much. And I have a sneaking suspicion that the game can never be made safe in its current incarnation. Without those concerns, I doubt that these revelations would have much effect on my fandom. I still love soccer and FIFA makes the NFL look open and transparent by comparison. But because I'm already on the fence, they matter.
Don't see how you can make soccer safe from a concussion standpoint either...

ETA: I'm not sure why you have concerns about the investigation itself. I've not seen a report that Ray Rice's testimony was suspect. If you have the perpetrator confessing to the act in a largely truthful manner, what else is really necessary?

 
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I don't get the stuff from the Saints fans. The Tags report in BountyGate substantiated the evidence against players like Vilma really well. I think Tagliabue rightly chided Goodell for departing from precedent and imposing player penalties in an arbitrary and capricious manner, but I don't think the arguments about the weakness of the evidence survive much scrutiny once you've read the witness affidavits that were filed.

FWIW, if any independent report could be assumed to have lacked independence, it would be the one conducted by the guy who essentially hand-picked Goodell as his successor, working with the NFL's long-time outside counsel (Covington & Burling). But that report had some real sting to it. I expect Mueller's report will as well.

 
I think the NFL's partners and its fans, particularly its female fans, care about how the investigation is conducted (I don't think it will be a whitewash, FWIW).

I personally care. Not so much about who had the tape and when, but about what steps were taken to find out what happened. Did investigators interview Revel employees? Did they ask what was on the tape? Were they mislead about what was on the tape? I think those are all relevant questions that I don't yet know the answer to.

In truth, I've found it harder and harder to remain a fan of pro football. I don't enjoy the televised product as much. And I have a sneaking suspicion that the game can never be made safe in its current incarnation. Without those concerns, I doubt that these revelations would have much effect on my fandom. I still love soccer and FIFA makes the NFL look open and transparent by comparison. But because I'm already on the fence, they matter.
It's not just this issue though. If Goodell and the NFL are untruthful about this, does anyone really now believe anything they've said on concussions or PED use or any of a whole host of issues. That's why this matters. If they're willing to dupe the public on this what else are they duping the public on.

 
I think the NFL's partners and its fans, particularly its female fans, care about how the investigation is conducted (I don't think it will be a whitewash, FWIW).

I personally care. Not so much about who had the tape and when, but about what steps were taken to find out what happened. Did investigators interview Revel employees? Did they ask what was on the tape? Were they mislead about what was on the tape? I think those are all relevant questions that I don't yet know the answer to.

In truth, I've found it harder and harder to remain a fan of pro football. I don't enjoy the televised product as much. And I have a sneaking suspicion that the game can never be made safe in its current incarnation. Without those concerns, I doubt that these revelations would have much effect on my fandom. I still love soccer and FIFA makes the NFL look open and transparent by comparison. But because I'm already on the fence, they matter.
It's not just this issue though. If Goodell and the NFL are untruthful about this, does anyone really now believe anything they've said on concussions or PED use or any of a whole host of issues. That's why this matters. If they're willing to dupe the public on this what else are they duping the public on.
I think we're all pretty clear on the league's actions since the concussion issue grew into focus (and even longer for some of us). The issue should no longer be "do you trust the NFL?" but instead "how much of the league's obfuscation and deceit can you stomach and still keep watching its product?" To judge by the ratings, most people can hold their noses and swallow just about anything to get their football fix.

 
Somebody on the radio was talking about all of the famous athletes who have been charged with domestic abuse. I was curious so I decided to google to see if there was an exhaustive list. There are several, and they are unfortunately very long. Instead, here is a countdown of the 13 most notable cases before this one, which Bleacher Report came up with in 2010 (following Tito Ortiz being arrested):

1. OJ. Simpson

2. Mike Tyson

3. Rae Carruth

4. Steve McNair

5. Shawne Merriman

6. Jason Kidd

7. James Harrison

8. Leroy Hill

9. Tonya Harding

10. LaMichael James

11. Albert Belle

12. Chuck Finley (though I think in this case she struck him)

13. Brian Giles

Warren Moon should have made this list...also Lawrence Philips (for the sheer brutality of his act). I'm sure there are lots of others I'm not thinking of...

 
Somebody on the radio was talking about all of the famous athletes who have been charged with domestic abuse. I was curious so I decided to google to see if there was an exhaustive list. There are several, and they are unfortunately very long. Instead, here is a countdown of the 13 most notable cases before this one, which Bleacher Report came up with in 2010 (following Tito Ortiz being arrested):

1. OJ. Simpson

2. Mike Tyson

3. Rae Carruth

4. Steve McNair

5. Shawne Merriman

6. Jason Kidd

7. James Harrison

8. Leroy Hill

9. Tonya Harding

10. LaMichael James

11. Albert Belle

12. Chuck Finley (though I think in this case she struck him)

13. Brian Giles

Warren Moon should have made this list...also Lawrence Philips (for the sheer brutality of his act). I'm sure there are lots of others I'm not thinking of...
The two I mention whenever baseball or basketball fans get all smug about the NFL are Bobby Cox and Lance Stephenson, because baseball/basketball fans love those guys.

 
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After domestic violence, what's the NFL's next target for increased punishment? DUI?
It would be a lot tidier for the league and the NFLPA to agree on a covering policy regarding felony arrests/convictions. Felony arrests result in suspension with pay, while convictions result in unpaid suspensions.

 
... Rice is on record saying he hit her. That was known by Goodell when he issued his "punishment" so I have a hard time believing him when he says he changed his mind after seeing a video of Rice hitting her.
There are plenty of ways he could have theoretically hit her that would be significantly less of a big deal than that punch, even a few that would be perfectly innocent. And at least one of the stories wasn't that the "hit" knocker her out but her, in her drunken state falling into the railing caused that. It doesn't matter if <fill in your favorite adjective> people already dismissed this as nonsense, for those that didn't the video "changed everything".

 
Why does it matter to anyone, other than the players, who is the commissioner?
Saints fans care, for sure. We might be full of it, but the collective fan base down here feels like Roger Goodell capriciously robbed the Saints of one of their prime seasons during the Brees-led window of opportunity. The evidence always felt trumped up and tenuous, and he backtracked off the player suspensions quickly once a court case was imminent (Jonathan Vilma et al sued Goodell personally, and would have had their day in court).

The hope is that someone with a more finely-tuned moral compass will not cut down a team like that in the same manner. More generally, many don't want someone like that in charge of a competitive enterprise.
Absolutely. It was arbitrary, capricious, unfair and damned near slander and maybe more than that. It also affected the whole city because the Saints had a legit shot at a home town Super Bowl that year.

 
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