Domestic Violence in the NFL

Story by Marquis Barbour
Photo: www.livetradingnews.com

On September 8, 2014, TMZ leaked a video of Ray Rice knocking out his wife in an elevator in an Atlantic City casino. He showed a form of behavior known as domestic violence. Domestic Violence means a violent or aggressive behavior within the home, typically involving the violent abuse of a spouse or partner. Today in the NFL there have been multiple outbreaks of domestic violence. Roger Goodell, the commissioner of the NFL, says he never saw the second video tape before September 8, 2014.

Also, Adrian Peterson was accused of domestic violence. He was arrested for beating his child with a wooden switch. In the New York Times it says, "Beating in child-rearing actually has its psychological roots in slavery and even yet black parents will feel that, just as they have suffered beatings as children, so it is right that their children be so treated." Adrian Peterson said he never meant to harm his child but to give him the same discipline he received as a child.  

Jonathan Dwyer faces charges of domestic violence against his wife and his 18 month old child. An NFL spokesman said “Dwyer’s case would be reviewed under the NFL’s personal conduct policy.” The Carolina Panthers star defensive end Greg Hardy was convicted of domestic violence. He was granted a new jury trial in mid November. 

The authorities say he “choked his then-girlfriend, threw her around, dragged her by her hair and threatened to kill her.”

Queen Afi, mental health professional and founder of DVWMT (Domestic Violence Wears Many Tags) says, "The NFL has missed warning signs in the lives of their players that could be the result of current domestic violence issues; the focus has been contracts instead of players behavior and mental health". Also Sheila Malloy, a survivor of domestic violence and her organization, Healing 2 Grace, supports  anybody who has experienced domestic violence says, “The NFL has established a new domestic violence policy; a six game unpaid ban for personnel who violate the policy and a second incident would make a lifetime ban from the league. Banning players from the game is just not enough. A first time violation should not only be a ban for a period of time, but mandatory counseling should be completed, as well as ongoing, before the player can return to the game. The NFL should be providing counseling to players and their families “

The NFL has been covering up their players’ use of domestic violence. Even if you were disciplined the same way as a child, it's still domestic violence. No one should be treated like that. Men should not ever lay their hands on anybody even if they step out of their place.

What do you think about domestic violence in the NFL? Leave your comments in the box below.

Marquis Barbour is an 8th grade scholar at Friendship Blow Pierce Academy.