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alp227

(31,961 posts)
Thu Aug 28, 2014, 04:13 PM Aug 2014

NFL increases penalties for domestic violence

Source: AP

NEW YORK (AP) — NFL players will be subject to a six-week suspension for a first domestic violence offense and banishment from the league for a second under a new policy outlined by Commissioner Roger Goodell.

In a letter and memo sent to all 32 teams owners Thursday, and obtained by The Associated Press, Goodell says he "didn't get it right" in giving Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice a two-game suspension for allegedly hitting the woman who is now his wife.

Goodell told teams to distribute to all players the memo in which he writes: "Domestic violence and sexual assault are wrong. They are illegal. They are never acceptable and have no place in the NFL under any circumstances."

The memo says that violations of the league's personal conduct policy "regarding assault, battery, domestic violence and sexual assault that involve physical force will be subject to enhanced discipline."

Read more: http://pro32.ap.org/article/nfl-increases-penalties-domestic-violence

13 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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NFL increases penalties for domestic violence (Original Post) alp227 Aug 2014 OP
I thought the penalty for domestic violence was Blue Idaho Aug 2014 #1
As much as Goodell would like to NobodyHere Aug 2014 #3
So, the Ray Rice penalty was indeed a mistake. Yavin4 Aug 2014 #2
So now wife beating is on par with pot smoking? SunSeeker Aug 2014 #4
Better idea: have the justice system treat domestic violence like the violent crime that it is. Dr. Strange Aug 2014 #5
Why not both? nt SunSeeker Aug 2014 #6
One takes care of the other. Dr. Strange Aug 2014 #10
No, one does not take care of the other. SunSeeker Aug 2014 #13
Let me translate... iandhr Aug 2014 #7
You got it. Luckily, I stopped watching football ballyhoo Aug 2014 #12
First offense now is adieu Aug 2014 #8
Bravo NFL. Now what about the on the field intentional take-down hits? Dont call me Shirley Aug 2014 #9
wish our police departments used similar behavior policies Sunlei Aug 2014 #11

SunSeeker

(51,367 posts)
4. So now wife beating is on par with pot smoking?
Thu Aug 28, 2014, 04:35 PM
Aug 2014

Well, I guess that's better than being treated more mildly than pot smoking, like it was before today's announcement. Baby steps...

Of course, if the NFL really wanted to cut down on wife beating, they'd ban players from drinking, not pot smoking.

I've never heard of a guy getting high on pot then beating the crap out of his wife. I certainly can't say the same about alcohol or other drugs.

Or better yet, the NFL could treat domestic violence like the violent crime that it is. How about a 1 year suspension for the first offense instead of just a 6 week ban?

Dr. Strange

(25,898 posts)
5. Better idea: have the justice system treat domestic violence like the violent crime that it is.
Thu Aug 28, 2014, 04:53 PM
Aug 2014

Put the guy in jail, and you don't have to worry about whether the NFL is being tough enough.

Dr. Strange

(25,898 posts)
10. One takes care of the other.
Thu Aug 28, 2014, 06:34 PM
Aug 2014

It's smarter to put all of the effort into having the government deal with it--that's one of the fundamental purposes of government.

I've been shaking my head at how people have been more upset at the NFL's response than they have the government. Even here on DU, the only threads on Ray Rice's domestic violence issue (at least that I've seen) have focused on the NFL's response.

SunSeeker

(51,367 posts)
13. No, one does not take care of the other.
Thu Aug 28, 2014, 08:47 PM
Aug 2014

Most domestic violence victims don't press charges. Like Ray Rice's wife, who chose not to press charges. But there was no dispute as to what he did. In such a case, the NFL should still punish. Even when the woman presses charges after the guy beats the crap out of her, he will get about a year or two in jail. But he should also suffer civil punishment. Someone who repeatedly beats their spouse should be banned from the NFL. It would be a much greater deterrent than fear of jail.

iandhr

(6,852 posts)
7. Let me translate...
Thu Aug 28, 2014, 05:03 PM
Aug 2014

… I hoped no one would care about our lax attitude about domestic violence but I got bad press to I am taking action for PR purposes.

 

ballyhoo

(2,060 posts)
12. You got it. Luckily, I stopped watching football
Thu Aug 28, 2014, 07:35 PM
Aug 2014

20 years ago. It's all about money and politics.

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