What is the NFL’s policy on Domestic Violence?

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Domestic violence has become a focal point to the NFL and today’s world after Ray Rice punched his then fiance, now wife, in the face and knocking her unconscious while getting out of an elevator. The NFL has faced a ton of backlash from mainstream media for their handling of the Rice situation. The NFL had video footage of the assault before they ruled to only give Rice a two-game suspension. It wasn’t until the video surfaced on the internet, and the outcry from fans around the league forced to the Ravens to cut Rice, and for the NFL to suspended him indefinitely.

The NFL then implemented a new, very strict domestic violence policy, stating that it is six games for the first incident and a lifetime ban for the second. The NFL tried to establish a stance on the issue, and a very tough one at that, saying the NFL will not stand for this. However, in every domestic violence case since Ray Rice, to Ezekiel Elliot, the NFL has been anything but consistent. The NFL is much tougher on suspensions due to drugs (Avg. four games) PEDs (Avg. eight games) compared to only 1.5 avg. for domestic violence. Let’s take a look at the other cases of domestic violence, compared to the Zeke Elliot situation, and how the NFL has shown no signs of following thru with their domestic violence policy.

Where the policy should’ve been enforced 

Ezekiel Elliot’s domestic violence suspension has fired up the conversation again since the Rice and Greg Hardy incidents, but he certainly has not been the only one. There has been a wide spread amount of incidents that has resulted in players suspension that all vary in length based on a person-to-person basis, essentially comparing how bad each incident is to the other. There should be no gray area when it comes to domestic violence. If there is substantial evidence you laid your hands on a women, according to the NFL s policy, you should receive a six game ban.

However, in another recent incident, former Giants kicker Josh Brown was charged with misdemeanor domestic violence, after his wife told police 20 separate incidents where he abused her.

Also, New York Jets WR Quincy Enunwa, was charged with simple battery and then suspended for four games after pulling a women off her bed, causing her to hit her head and leave a wound.

Washington OLB Junior Galette was suspended for two games after being involved in an altercation on the beach and he was charged with simple battery and domestic violence.

In more recent cases, on August 9th, Tremaine Brock, Vikings cornerback had charges dropped for felony domestic violence after he left visible wounds on a women in April. A judge ruled there was not enough evidence to charge Brock with the felony, and the NFL has yet to make a ruling or suspension. He is currently on the Vikings 53 man roster but was inactive for Week 1.

It is clear the NFL has had numerous opportunities to enforce their policy, but have shown to be inconsistent on domestic violence, and base suspensions more on circumstances. So where does this leave Ezekiel Elliot and his six game suspension, and why has this case been treated so differently compared to others who have committed the same crime?

Understanding the Ezekiel Elliot situation 

The second year running back from Ohio State, who took the league by storm and led the NFL in rushing as a rookie, has been leading the headlines for all the wrong reasons as of late. The NFL announced on August 11th that Zeke will be suspended for the first six games of the 2017 seasons after a year long investigation in to numerous accusations of Elliot physically abusing a girlfriend. Elliot’s accuser first reported abuse to the police in February of 2016 , and then she continued to tell police five separate occasions of abuse.

There was another report of Elliot hitting the women in July of that year. Elliot’s accuser had text messages, and pictures of wounds and bruises left by Elliot, which was all handed over to the NFL to aid in their investigation. After a year of investigating, the suspension was handed down, and that’s where things really start to take a turn.

Elliot’s appeal hearing for the six game suspension stared on Aug 29th in New York, and didn’t wrap up until the next day. The NFL hired Kia Roberts as a special investigator into domestic violence cases, and she told the NFL she believes there should be no suspension at all after reviewing the case, and interviewing Elliot’s accuser multiple times. But the final say after the appeal hearings came from arbitrator Harold Henderson, who decided to uphold the six game suspension.

Elliot wasted no time continuing his fight against the league. The following day, on September 1st, he filed a 30-page petition in Texas federal court claiming he was a victim of a “league orchestrated conspiracy.. to hide critical information”. On September 8th, Texas judge Amos Mazzant granted the NFLPA’s request for a temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction barring the NFL from imposing a six-game suspension. Currently, Elliot is suspension free, played in Week 1 vs the Giants, and is expected to play the entire 2017 season if nothing changes revolving around the suspension. The NFL is currently appealing the judge’s injunction, and the judges ruling is expected by the end of the week.

So what is the NFL’s stance on domestic violence? 

Commissioner Rodger Goodell has proven to be anything but consistent on his rulings, and the length of suspensions throughout the league. From the first incident of Ray Rice that opened the worlds eye to this issue, to Ezekiel Elliot, the NFL has yet to show a pattern in their decision making process.

Goodell has the power to enforce this policy, and show the NFL is strongly against domestic violence, but has came up lame in each attempt. The league has shown to be harsh, and its constant reinforcement of their drug policy, so when will we see a clear stance from the league?

Why does a star RB domestic violence case, compared to a kickers have a five game difference in suspensions? The way the league has poorly handled yet another case, and is forced to battle it out in court is embarrassing for the league. They must change the way they handle and punish players for domestic violence, or just simply follow thru with the policy that is already in place.

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