TimmySmith 2,782 Posted September 17, 2014 It is that facet of the loss of due process that concerns me most. Our system has been predicated on the notion that you are innocent until proven guilty, however the media outlets assasinate anyone suspected of wrong doing and senstionalize events. They do this to garner ratings and more money from sponsors. Pretty much every one has some event in their life that, if posted to the world, would shame them into hiding. We all bear some responsibility becuase we just eat this stuff up. Anyone famous or rich or apparently entitled is fodder for us to dine on their misfortune. There are 2 courts in our society. Court of law and court of public opinion. Both generally get it right. COPO requires no due process, and that is where AP is right now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vuduchile 1,945 Posted September 17, 2014 Right. So you think this is something that cannot be "fixed" per se? I am just wondering if its a "football culture" thing, or is it something else? I don't believe it can be fixed. Criminals are more popular than ever in our country, and all the empty outrage does nothing but fan the media flames for a few weeks. The same people who are outraged by this stuff can't wait for the latest Orange is the New Black, or Sons of Anarchy episode. As our society "evolves" we've become increasingly desensitized to violence and overt sexual behavior. At the same time, the media keeps pushing us to become more and more PC. It's an interesting dichotomy. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Artista 460 Posted September 17, 2014 It is that facet of the loss of due process that concerns me most. Our system has been predicated on the notion that you are innocent until proven guilty, however the media outlets assasinate anyone suspected of wrong doing and senstionalize events. They do this to garner ratings and more money from sponsors. Pretty much every one has some event in their life that, if posted to the world, would shame them into hiding. We all bear some responsibility becuase we just eat this stuff up. Anyone famous or rich or apparently entitled is fodder for us to dine on their misfortune. Only we are not in the spotlight so we can 'hide' our the events that are shameful. So many youngsters worship and want to be "just like Mike" that it is good that such stuff is brought out to show youngsters that this is not right. They don't watch and listen to their parents, they watch and listen to their heros and if you can show that this hero of yours did something wrong and why it is wrong, that would be a good thing. There is no innocence about Ray and Adrain. One is caught on video knocking his gf unconscious on her face in an elevator not even worried about the fact that she could be dying or dead and the other photos were taken of the kid's lashings. Sure they need to go through the due process but come on, it's not like a he said she said thing. Technology is helping give 'due process' to such stars which so many worship more than God. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
penultimatestraw 473 Posted September 17, 2014 still in complete agreement Ray. take a snapshot of anyone at their lowest/worst moment and it's pretty bad. While everyone has their bad moments, many don't resort to violent crime to solve their problems. The price of fame is a higher level of scrutiny than the average Joe; this shouldn't surprise anyone who makes their living in the public eye. Amazingly, most celebrities are able to pursue their careers without a major scandal or legal action. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KSB2424 3,148 Posted September 17, 2014 The NFL has self induced all this scandal stuff. Roger Goodell came in and acted like he was the President of the United States. He's the one that made up and set the culture that the NFL would somehow be the bastion of goodness that would withold values and "protect the sheild" from evil. That the NFL would be looked upon as do gooders of honor and other baloney. When in fact, the NFL is a damn sports league that is here for entertainment. They shouldn't be looked upon by the nation as our mutherfocking moral compass. Why the hell is CNN talking about Adrian Pederson every night is beyond me. But the NFL did it to themselves trying to be something bigger than a sports league. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NorthernVike 2,087 Posted September 18, 2014 I don't believe it can be fixed. Criminals are more popular than ever in our country, and all the empty outrage does nothing but fan the media flames for a few weeks. The same people who are outraged by this stuff can't wait for the latest Orange is the New Black, or Sons of Anarchy episode. As our society "evolves" we've become increasingly desensitized to violence and overt sexual behavior. At the same time, the media keeps pushing us to become more and more PC. It's an interesting dichotomy. Newbie is the new black? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Baker Boy 1,700 Posted September 18, 2014 The media attack on the NFL continues. Unfortunately for the media, NFL arrest rates are much lower than that of the general public. http://fivethirtyeight.com/datalab/the-rate-of-domestic-violence-arrests-among-nfl-players/ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
penultimatestraw 473 Posted September 18, 2014 The media attack on the NFL continues. Unfortunately for the media, NFL arrest rates are much lower than that of the general public. http://fivethirtyeight.com/datalab/the-rate-of-domestic-violence-arrests-among-nfl-players/ As your article correctly states, for some crimes they are higher than a comparable demographic (high earning males less than age 30). One of those crimes is domestic violence But even if the crime rates were lower, what difference would it make? Would Rice or Peterson be any less abusive or deserving of punishment? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MDC 7,458 Posted September 18, 2014 The issue isn't violent criminal players, it's the NFL soft pedaling the issue and doling out punishment in an inconsistent way. Either have a conduct policy or not. Don't give a guy a freaking year for a 2nd pot offense and another player gets 2 games for cold cacking his fiancé. And the commissioner needs to develop a set of nuts and address the media about it instead of lying and hiding like a little B. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mungwater 597 Posted September 18, 2014 The issue isn't violent criminal players, it's the NFL soft pedaling the issue and doling out punishment in an inconsistent way. Either have a conduct policy or not. Don't give a guy a freaking year for a 2nd pot offense and another player gets 2 games for cold cacking his fiancé. And the commissioner needs to develop a set of nuts and address the media about it instead of lying and hiding like a little B. Nothing is going to happen to Goddell about this. The investigator is a buddy of his, he won't be under oath, he can lie his ass off. He made the owners much more money than tagliabue did. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MDC 7,458 Posted September 18, 2014 Nothing is going to happen to Goddell about this. The investigator is a buddy of his, he won't be under oath, he can lie his ass off. He made the owners much more money than tagliabue did. Ronald McDonald could've "made" the NFL money. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RLLD 4,237 Posted September 19, 2014 The issue isn't violent criminal players, it's the NFL soft pedaling the issue and doling out punishment in an inconsistent way. Either have a conduct policy or not. Don't give a guy a freaking year for a 2nd pot offense and another player gets 2 games for cold cacking his fiancé. And the commissioner needs to develop a set of nuts and address the media about it instead of lying and hiding like a little B. All such actions become more challenging when you deal with a union, not a defense for Goodell, but I understand. I am still unclear as to how he could have handled it so badly. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Magnificent Bastard 191 Posted September 19, 2014 Sure, arrest rates for the nfl may be less than the rate vs the rest of the population, but i wonder how they stack up against college educated full time employees making 250k plus? I would wager the arrest rate of NFL players dwarfs that of people in that demographic. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KSB2424 3,148 Posted September 19, 2014 The issue isn't violent criminal players, it's the NFL soft pedaling the issue and doling out punishment in an inconsistent way. Either have a conduct policy or not. Don't give a guy a freaking year for a 2nd pot offense and another player gets 2 games for cold cacking his fiancé. And the commissioner needs to develop a set of nuts and address the media about it instead of lying and hiding like a little B. This is exactly my issue and has been forever with Goodell. Just set the rules/punishments then following them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BunnysBastatrds 2,446 Posted September 19, 2014 This is exactly my issue and has been forever with Goodell. Just set the rules/punishments then following them. This is what happens when the man running the show is judge, jury, and executioner. Fawk Goodell. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sho Nuff 720 Posted September 19, 2014 So, the NFL should have a policy for every single type of issue? Can't say I agree with that. And just what punishments have been inconsistent? I do agree he shouldnt be doling out punishments on his own and being the person who hears appeals as well. Theyt should have had a few person committee for this long ago. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wiffleball 4,790 Posted September 19, 2014 Just watched the Presser and related ESPN commentary afterward and have to vent: Bruschi, Schlereth, Long all have said essentially the same thing: "The league (via the salary cap) has gotten rid of the older players who could mentor these poor young men as to how to act. The league has to do more to train and educate these poor young men..." 'Scuze me? I remember MY first corporate job - I sure can't remember anybody needing to tell me not to hit women, beat children, carry guns into nightclubs, kill people while driving drunk.... Has he mis-handled the dolling out of punishment? Absolutely. But let's start blaming the REAL culprits here. - And it's not the NFL nor Goodell. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JT 137 Posted September 21, 2014 I don't believe it can be fixed. Criminals are more popular than ever in our country, and all the empty outrage does nothing but fan the media flames for a few weeks. The same people who are outraged by this stuff can't wait for the latest Orange is the New Black, or Sons of Anarchy episode. As our society "evolves" we've become increasingly desensitized to violence and overt sexual behavior. At the same time, the media keeps pushing us to become more and more PC. It's an interesting dichotomy. Only three pages to get to something well thought out and not reeking of bias or bait. Well done. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vikings4ever 550 Posted September 21, 2014 I've been thinking about it, and there's two questions that have to be asked: 1. Should the NFL be a law unto itself? 2. Is it the NFL's job to determine if (and what) crimes have been committed by its players? I'm sure my opinion would be unpopular, but I'd rather see accusations play out through the court system, and the NFL react to verdicts (or, more likely, plea bargains) than to do the investigating themselves. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RLLD 4,237 Posted September 22, 2014 I've been thinking about it, and there's two questions that have to be asked: 1. Should the NFL be a law unto itself? 2. Is it the NFL's job to determine if (and what) crimes have been committed by its players? I'm sure my opinion would be unpopular, but I'd rather see accusations play out through the court system, and the NFL react to verdicts (or, more likely, plea bargains) than to do the investigating themselves. THe NFL should only be acting to protect its brand. I have no interest in the NFL becoming some absurd moral barometer. Extremists scare people, they are loud, ignorant and intensively one-sided in their view. They make noise and draw in fence sitters who fear being labeled by the crazies and then the "movement" has life, and is used to scare commercial entities into delivering that single-minded agenda. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites