Haley
In the Starting Line-Up
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I think you have some valid points, but I disagree with the notion that Ray Rice received some sort of "lesser suspension." As I demonstrated previously, the Ray Rice suspension was very much in line with other suspension given to other, similar incidents. If anything, Ray Rice received a suspension that was harsher than the norm.
None of those previous suspensions generated any media or fan outrage. Guess those guys were lucky there was no video footage.
While you are correct, as that SI article points out, the punishment was seen as light in comparison to punishments meted out for substance abuses. Ray Rice was a big enough name to finally get the attention of even the most casual of football fans regarding this disparity in punishments.
The Ravens caught a major break Thursday with the league’s announcement of a two-game suspension for Rice in the wake of his domestic-violence arrest last winter at an Atlantic City hotel. Rice, too, caught a break … except in the court of public opinion.
Rice and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, who meted out the punishment (including docking Rice three game checks, or $529,000) got roasted in the wake of the sanctions, which is certainly light when compared to, say, recreational drug use. A third positive test for marijuana, for instance, nets a player a four-game suspension without pay. Compare Rice’s punishment to that for some potential performance-enhancers: A first positive test for Adderall is a four-game ban too.
It was later explained to the public in articles like this one by stating exactly why Goodell had done this:
This is why Goodell was softer on Rice than a four-game suspension:
- Rice’s wife, a source said, made a moving and apparently convincing case to Goodell
Additionally, I feel I should point out that by not taking any punitive action (or at least releasing a statement) against the Ravens organization for their tweet blaming Janay, the NFL makes themselves complicit. They effectively sanction that point of view. They create a culture in which this type of victimization thrives. The Ravens are to blame for their own actions, but ultimately the responsibility lies with the people at the top to deal with the issue or sanction the behavior.
Note that I don't expect this to convert you to my point of view, I'm simply explaining what made it mine.
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