The Ray Rice Fallout continues with a new NFL domestic violence policy...

https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/505059464878493696

Adam SchefterVerified account‏@AdamSchefter
So the Ray Rice Fallout continues with a new domestic violence policy. Six games for 1st offense, lifetime ban for 2nd.

Wow. That's quite a reversal from where they were before. If they're serious about this, I think we'll be seeing a lot of lifetime bans in the next couple of years.

I'll just say this: while this all sounds well and good now, I can already see the uproar that's coming the first time a star player gets a lifetime ban over this. There will be players, ex-players, entire fanbases, commentators, etc. all speculating that the alleged victim made the whole thing up because she's "out to get" the guy. It's going to be ugly, and may end up being even worse for PR than Rice only getting two games was. It'll be a chance for the worst elements of the NFL and its fandom to really seize the spotlight. But nobody ever accused Goodell of acting with foresight.

BradyFTW! said:

https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/505059464878493696

Adam SchefterVerified account‏@AdamSchefter
So the Ray Rice Fallout continues with a new domestic violence policy. Six games for 1st offense, lifetime ban for 2nd.

Wow. That's quite a reversal from where they were before. If they're serious about this, I think we'll be seeing a lot of lifetime bans in the next couple of years.

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No affected by the fallout: Ray Rice.

The Brandon Five said:

No affected by the fallout: Ray Rice.

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You can't retroactively add punishment, the PA would never allow it and I think they're right. It's a bad precedent to set.

What I'm curious about though, is if Ray Rice did this again, is that 6 or a lifetime for him?

Sicilian said:

You can't retroactively add punishment, the PA would never allow it and I think they're right. It's a bad precedent to set.

What I'm curious about though, is if Ray Rice did this again, is that 6 or a lifetime for him?

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Lifetime, 2nd offense.

The rule is in place now so Rice doing it again should trigger the lifetime ban.

Big-T said:

Lifetime, 2nd offense.

The rule is in place now so Rice doing it again should trigger the lifetime ban.

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It would seem so, but I'm guessing that wouldn't fly with the PA.

Yeah, u get mocked enough by everyone and their mother, and that's the only way the NFL gains sense...

At least it finally did it correctly

Sicilian said:

It would seem so, but I'm guessing that wouldn't fly with the PA.

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I'm not sure why it wouldn't? This is a documented 1st offense, regardless of punishment...the next time will be a documented 2nd offense...and will recieve the punishment that would apply at the time of offense

The NFL needs to get out of policing. Outside of what impacts on the field, this stuff is none of its business. Substance abuse, criminality, etc... those are not for the NFL to deal with.

Now, since I know people here will lose their minds over this, I'm outta here.

ALP said:

Yeah, u get mocked enough by everyone and their mother, and that's the only way the NFL gains sense...

At least it finally did it correctly

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The other way to do it correctly--at least as far as getting rid of the ridiculous double standard that Ray Rice/Josh Gordon highlighted--would have been to rewrite their drug policy into something sensible. But I think we all knew that wasn't going to happen.

Sounds like a very good rule!

Yes people will get mad if their superstar player gets suspended for life for this. But honestly I think that it's a good penalty. I wouldn't want a player on my team that has commited domestic violence twice. Even if it was someone like Brady.

Confused. Doesn't the PA have to agree with this? Can Commish be unilateral?
Having such a draconian 2nd step begs for lawsuits & exceptions. While being litigated, player will probably be allowed to play which would be controversial.
Make 2nd step a 1 year ban with undefined 3rd.

Philosophically I see Deus' point. But since the NFL is not like a regular business but is in the entertainment business the "image" of their product is a core value and should be subject to corporate regulation.

And now the pendulum just shifted way too far in the other direction...

PatsWickedPissah said:

Confused. Doesn't the PA have to agree with this? Can Commish be unilateral?
Having such a draconian 2nd step begs for lawsuits & exceptions. While being litigated, player will probably be allowed to play which would be controversial.
Make 2nd step a 1 year ban with undefined 3rd.

Philosophically I see Deus' point. But since the NFL is not like a regular business but is in the entertainment business the "image" of their product is a core value and should be subject to corporate regulation.

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I would find the image argument more compelling if the NFL hadn't risen to its current popularity on the backs of superstars who were accused of murder and obstruction of justice (Ray Lewis), sexually assaulting trainers in college (Peyton Manning), etc. Not to mention guys like Leonard Little, whose presence in the league never seemed to turn anyone off of it. If Goodell feels an ethical imperative to clean up the league, then so be it, but it's not like fans or sponsors took issue with Tagliabue's lax standards.

Radio folks brought a good point that I'd love to hear some opinions on: Does the threat of a lifetime ban actually cause spouses to hold back and not report domestic violence issues, for fear that the bread winner (sometimes multi-million dollar bread winner) will suddenly lose their livelihood?

At least he admitted he got it wrong. Quite the 180 from the crap we were hearing on TV from VPs around the league. Bets on the first team to see a player get a lifetime ban? I go with BAL.

And reading over the letter again, a player can apply for reinstatement after one year.

Deus Irae said:

The NFL needs to get out of policing. Outside of what impacts on the field, this stuff is none of its business. Substance abuse, criminality, etc... those are not for the NFL to deal with.

Now, since I know people here will lose their minds over this, I'm outta here.

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I agree. It should be at the team's discretion, after all it is the team that is the player's employer. This policing is a cheap shot by the NFL to take game checks, donate them and receive financial flexibility from it.

He's doing what I said he should have done all along: make the penalty severe and let the NFLPA look like the bad guys defending woman abusers.

I do take comfort in the fact that this will be called The Ray Rice Rule. Everytime it happens, Ravens fans will be reminded of their own lowlife

ray rice is a scumbag..that is all

I might be wrong but I assume this just gives them a starting point for punishment and they wouldnt have to insist on lifetime bans but its in writing now so they wont be handcuffed to a 2 game suspension.