tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18832234.post812087430190377851..comments2023-11-12T05:16:54.244-05:00Comments on The Royal Heffernans: Roger Goodell Is Now the ScapegoatUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18832234.post-90084933824596236652014-09-17T22:38:18.979-04:002014-09-17T22:38:18.979-04:00The crazy thing about all of this is that the info...The crazy thing about all of this is that the information about Ray Rice hitting his wife, and a video of him dragging her lifeless body down a hotel hallway, were available months ago. He admitted to police and media he struck her and knocked her unconscious. But when it was just words on paper, it really didn't get any press. Even the video of him dragging her down the hallway didn't inspire too much animosity from the general public. But you finally get the video uncovered of him actually striking her, and all hell breaks loose. Why is that? Why is it that we have to have video evidence of anything in order to take real action? Why is it that the facts never changed, but the punishment and the public outcry increased 100-fold? <br /><br />I submit that no one gives two shits anymore unless they see the action. We are all our own modern version of Thomas, doubting until we see with our own eyes, not just the proof, but the actual event. There is so much video of everything and anything that we've all been desensitized to statements, admissions, reports, and any other form of non-visual data. If there is video of AP striking his child(ren), his career is also over. If there isn't, he will probably be in the backfield for the Vikings before the end of the year. <br /><br />In the end, I'll be very interested to see if Ray Rice's second punishment (indefinite suspension) for the same crime gets overturned on the NFLPA appeal. Nothing like a little double-jeopardy to get him off the hook. I still don't see any team signing him. Well, maybe Jerry Jones and the Cowboys. But only if DeMarco Murray goes down. <br /><br />As a final note, the NFL has a lower crime rate than society at large. Read TMQ from this week - Easterbrook covers that point very nicely. The crime rate for the NFL is roughly half that of adults in America in general. It just seems that it's higher because, at least right now, the guys getting in trouble are big names. There's been domestic violence charges for players in the past (Chad Johnson) but not with star players in their prime. If the two guys that got in trouble for domestic violence were special teams guys or backup linemen, this would never get anywhere near the publicity.Kevinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16799540986290679695noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18832234.post-44348780390646201882014-09-13T11:48:41.388-04:002014-09-13T11:48:41.388-04:00By the way, how long is AP banned if there was vid...By the way, how long is AP banned if there was video of him hitting his son in the sack with a switch?Teddyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04196853341084156214noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18832234.post-73401166196732517712014-09-11T09:59:49.369-04:002014-09-11T09:59:49.369-04:00I do agree with you on one thing - Goodell is bein...I do agree with you on one thing - Goodell is being made the scapegoat. We, as fans, were all pretty good with everything until this video went viral. He should resign, because even with all the money he's pulling in for the league he's given them a serious image problem, and that's also part of the gig. But really, we should have been calling for action 5 months ago and widespread action, not just directed at Goodell.ianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09261227457070223486noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18832234.post-16725854548781981742014-09-10T14:29:15.414-04:002014-09-10T14:29:15.414-04:00By the way, I could give 2 shits about NOW (nation...By the way, I could give 2 shits about NOW (national org for women) calling for Goodell's resignation. That's 100% political. I hate the bottom feeder organizations that feed off controversy to advance their own profile (and raise money). <br /><br />I haven't ever heard NOW speak up about ANY boss who punished an employee, but not strong enough.<br /><br />Do they not realize the end result was the same? Rice is out.Teddyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04196853341084156214noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18832234.post-78089202362204300742014-09-10T13:21:38.378-04:002014-09-10T13:21:38.378-04:00I get what you're saying, but it seems that th...I get what you're saying, but it <i>seems</i> that the NFL has a disproportionately higher crime rate that society at large. I think the other thing that really bothers me is the NFL's attempts not simply to cover things up, but to outright lie to the public and its consumers to save face. This is what they've done with Rice. This is what they've done with concussions. And that, to me, is the most heinous aspect.ianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09261227457070223486noreply@blogger.com