Cleaveland: NFL can take lead against violence

photo Dr. Clif Cleaveland

To date, the National Football League has appeared to treat charges of domestic violence against players as a matter of public relations. Three recent episodes highlight the issue.

On July 15, Carolina Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy was found guilty of assaulting and threatening bodily harm to a female. He was given a 60-day suspended sentence and 18 months of probation. The judgment was appealed and trial before a jury is scheduled for November. Team officials permitted Hardy to play pending the outcome of that trial until benching him on Sept. 14.

Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice was charged with third-degree assault after punching his fiancée in the face on March 27. In May, he entered a pretrial program that could erase all criminal charges after one year of good behavior. Rice was fined by the NFL and suspended for two games for "conduct detrimental to the NFL." Subsequently, the NFL announced tougher penalties that included a six-game suspension for players convicted of domestic violence.

But following the release earlier this month of a video of the assault that took place in an elevator, the Ravens fired Rice, and the NFL suspended him indefinitely. Controversy continues as to whether or not NFL officials had access to the incriminating video prior to its release to the public and, if they did, why they thought a two-game suspension was enough.

Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson was booked on September 13 and charged with beating his son with what has variously been described as a switch or a branch from a tree. The Vikings did not permit him to play in the game on the following day. Peterson's attorney stated that his client was meting out discipline to his son in the same manner that he had been punished as a child.

On Sept. 12, the New York Times summarized a database of run-ins between NFL players and legal authorities. Of 713 incidents, 85 involved domestic violence. The possible role of alcohol in the assaults is included in the report.

There is no comparable group of young males with which to make a comparison with the highly scrutinized athletes of the NFL. Does constant stress of preparing for and playing a violent game predispose the athletes to physical outbursts in their off hours? Could brain injuries such as concussions interfere with the judgment of athletes? How often are perpetrators of violence inebriated?

Domestic violence against women and children is not a rare occurrence in towns, cities and rural areas of America. Many events go unreported by spouses and girlfriends afraid to bring charges.

The NFL has a unique opportunity to move from a posture of damage control to one of prevention. Professional football commands a huge audience with influential owners and advertisers. Consider these possibilities:

• The NFL becomes a high-profile, national advocate for preventing domestic violence, whether physical or psychological. Each televised game would publicize programs within the region that provide assistance and legal aid for abused persons.

• The NFL sponsors a website and toll-free number to provide information and contacts for persons seeking help in troubled domestic relationships.

• The league endorses and promotes a code of conduct for its players and coaches. The code includes a pledge of gentle, respectful behavior toward family members, male and female friends and teammates. This pledge could become a model for college and high school players.

• The NFL requires a session during annual training camps on prevention of domestic violence. Each workshop would be led by a counselor or judge involved in cases dealing with domestic violence.

Thirty-two NFL teams with their hundreds of players, coaches, officials, and millions of fans could become a powerful force in reducing the incidence of a preventable tragedy that has become all too frequent in our society. The moral high ground is out there to be claimed.

Contact Clif Cleaveland at cleaveland1000@comcast.net.

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