The NFL has once again come under fire for the recent domestic violence issue surrounding New York Giants kicker Josh Brown.
Philadlephia Eagles wide receiver Jordan Matthews is one of many rather confused by the whole situation. Matthews’ teammate, Lane Johnson, currently has a hefty suspension for performance enhancing drugs. The jury is still very much out on Brown’s situation, while his team continues to back him publicly.
Matthews’ comments are perfect, as recorded by Eliot Shorr-Parks of NJ.com (via Pro Football Talk’s Darin Gantt):
But then when we talk about the integrity of the game, and the shield [the NFL logo] . . . you talk about the values that you want to instill in families that actually watch us and look up to us. Then it sends the wrong message that every single time there is an incident with domestic violence or something where there is a physical altercation, especially with a lady . . . it never seems like there is a really big punishment handed down.
Even with the Ray Rice incident, nothing was really serious until there was public outrage or until the video came out. But my thing is, why do people have to see something for there to be actual steps taken?
Indeed, the last bit is the biggest problem here. How would the NFL react if there was a video of the Brown incident?
Bleacher Report’s Mike Freeman provided the thoughts of a few more NFL players:
Players are also checking in with me. More than a few stated outright they believe Josh Brown got a break because Brown is white.
— mike freeman (@mikefreemanNFL) October 21, 2016
Other players texting not about race. More about NFL doing favors for owners who have good relationship with Goodell.
— mike freeman (@mikefreemanNFL) October 21, 2016
This is a tough subject, no doubt. But the words of Matthews and other players make plenty of sense.
While the NFL has fumbled the Brown situation and seems to have its priorities in major disarray when it comes to punishments, the silver lining is that, in theory, looking back on the missteps and mixed signals here could help the league improve in these areas.
Again, in theory.
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