So far all of the NFL players who have been making headlines in the past couple of weeks have either been arrested for domestic violence or child abuse. Arizona Cardinals running back Jonathan Dwyer was arrested yesterday and charged with domestic violence and child abuse. Apparently back in July Dwyer beat his girlfriend who then called police. By the time police got there she already had forgiven him and lied to police and told them the fight had just been over the phone. The next day they got into another fight and Dwyer threw her phone to keep her from calling the police again. Shortly after Dwyer fractured the woman's arm she took the child and moved from the state. This is getting out of hand. How many more arrests are going to be made of players? What I noticed yesterday when watching coverage of all of this is that the stars are being paid and given due process. A guy like Dwyer who is a backup or if you are further down the 53 man roster, you are going to be released and definitely not paid.
Everyone is aware there is a large gang mentality in the NFL. Guys throwing up gang signs and wearing gang colors and symbols. Gang members have no respect for women and beat them, they are violent human beings just what the NFL is looking for. So wht can you expect--and add in PEDs and steroids and you get murderers, drug abusers, criminality etc.
ReplyDeleteLOVE your post, SB!!!!!! Gangs need to be eradicated. Something that pisses me off immensely is our society's acceptance of gang bullshit - right down to parents allowing their kids to post pics in which they're flashing gang signs. Truly disgusting. Radar magazine (print version) had an article as far back as 6/07 about gang infiltration of the armed services. Gangs are a huge threat and menace to the fabric of polite society, & any affiliation by "(c)rappers", sports figures, etc. should be cause for them to be fired, released, dropped from contracts, etc. WTH is wrong with people that they support people who openly brag of their affiliation with these creatures? Of course, we have a massive moneymaking prison-industrial complex in the US these days, so that factors into it.
Delete@Trilby: I highly recommend that you watch Gangland S1E11, "Basic Training." Probably the best episode in the series and incredibly informative.
DeleteAll this domestic violence and child abuse is making it hard for me to make jokes to hubby that I want to 'slap' my bratty kid for being a brat
ReplyDeleteOn a serious note I'm glad this is getting more headlines - the more aware folks are the better.
i wonder how many lawyers beat/abuse their wives/children. someone should take a sample of NFL players (im not sure how many players in total but lets say 2000) and compare them to 2000 male:
ReplyDeletedoctors
lawyers
construction workers
CEO's
teachers
ruby players
janitors ("master of the custodial arts" for old chapelle fans--HA! :^)
...you get my drift.
Thank you!!!
Delete@Virginia, I get your point, but men in those other professions aren't actively encouraged to be physically violent on the job. Now, compare the NFL players to boxers, military guys, prison guards and other guys who get paid to be rough, and you might have some interesting findings.
Delete@ meanie ;^)
Delete@nutty...great point.
Well, right now we cant worry about who else MIGHT be being abusivre, cos we have some real cases right in fromt of us.
Delete@Virginia, I'd be interested to read the comparison if the results were a percentage rather than a number; one can find 2,000 POSes in just about any profession (except, perhaps, Professional Referee in America. My source states there are only 1,980 people in this position, and they can't all be bad).
DeleteYou don't need a study. Men in professions where they are required to be violent and aggressive (not to mention more likely to use PED's) will, without a doubt, have a higher incidence of domestic abuse or other violent behavior. This means those in contact sports go to the head of the class. I wonder a little about police officers.
DeleteI am a lifelong, rabid, NFL fan, as was my mother before me.
ReplyDeleteWhen we pay people large sums of money to run through, knock down, other people as their entire job - how do we expect them to handle non-working hours?
Physical aggression is all they know. It's celebrated & compensated. The NFL owes it to the players and especially to the society that supports and surrounds them, to teach its young players how the rest of the world works. It's never been done and that's wrong.
Not everyone who plays professionally has the capacity for reflection & introspection. If we are to continue celebrating violence as part of their job, we must educate them about how to conduct the rest of their lives.
Punish offenses and teach them how to manage their personal lives going forward. It's not that complicated, in my opinion.
Isn't there a clause in their contracts that such behavior will void them ? If not there should be.
ReplyDeleteAll athletes have a behavioral clause in their contracts. But some contracts in sports are guaranteed like someone like ARod.
ReplyDeleteSo what happens to the lawyers, construction workers, teachers, etc if they're arrested for domestic abuse? I've never worked with someone who has been in this situation so I have no idea how it's dealt with in the real world.
ReplyDeleteWhat I find really concerning is the number of women fans who are supporting these idiots by wearing their jerseys, etc. WTF are they thinking?
You're aking NFL players to care about women and children when society at large doesn't care about women and children.
ReplyDeleteThe bottom line is that most people really don't give a damn. :-(
sandybrook, it's not just gang members and football players who do not respect women. They simply can show it since it will not stop women from throwing themselves into their paths anyway. As pathetic as I find ANY sort of physical abuse from one human towards another; I find it much more pathetic that many women seem to want to run their faces into a fist.
ReplyDelete@Jordan
Delete"...pathetic that a very small percentage of women (who were likely victims of childhood abuse, other abuse, or lack any self-confidence for myriad reasons) seem to want to run their faces into a fist."
FTFY.
@SusanB---As with Chris Brown following his beating Rihanna...women were backing him up and putting the blame on her rather than his nasty ass temper...it seems it is much easier to want to believe that somehow the person they beat the crap out of did something to deserve it, and that it wouldn't happen to them if they were with that person.
ReplyDelete@Kno, they aren't animals. It doesn't take a genius to differentiate playing a game and dealing with people off the field. You don't fracture someone's arm because they piss you off.
ReplyDeleteI do agree that there should be people to help them out off of the field though. Not just with socializing but managing money.
This latest -- not a surprise.
ReplyDeleteAnd the lists above should include celebrities who peddle and market 24/7 all of their Sodom and Gomorrah porn life choices and lifestyle --- to mainstream and make their deviance "publically acceptable".
These revealed NFL'ER abusers are no different from the likes of a Sean Bean who "gets off sexually" when he beats the woman.
But as a CNN commentator said last night -. Violent abusive acts against women and children are happening every hour of every day in society.
I wonder how many hockey players have been arrested for domestic violence?
ReplyDeleteSome women defending the violence, their training to play football-NONE of this negates their actions. NO theory or explanation is acceptable. And if these players are too stupid to know that the game andcreal life are not one and the same, then they shld be considered too stupid to be chosen for team. Dont buy into excusing them; focus on the victims- defenseless children and women.
ReplyDeleteInteresting thought, @Ray.
ReplyDeleteDomestic violence is a huge problem, and too many are either confused or pretend to be about what constitutes abuse. Inflicting harm on the defenseless is not okay under any circumstances. It's hardly rocket science.
ReplyDelete@Virginia, I'd like to include police with that mix too. It seems the wall of silence surrounding abusive so-called professionals is starting to crumble. I hope so.
I'm not defending any personal violence. Never have, never will.
ReplyDeleteWhat I'm saying is that the NFL structure was built and continues to run without thought for the personal lives of the players it virtually chews up & spits out every 3 - 5 years.
The NFL encourages professional rampages & then shoves these people out the door without a thought. That's creepy.
"How To Behave Off The Field" should be Number 1 on the Rookie Orientation Checklist.
These are the rules. Period.
I'll STFU now.
Kno- im saying how come they dont know how to behave? How come they dont the diff betwn reacting in a game, and reacting the same way in real life? Thats the disconnect that needs to be addressed.
Delete@maxxy
ReplyDeletethat would be an interesting occupation to examine maxxy. due to the violence and dark side of humanity they come into contact with drug use is rampant.
DISCLAIMER:
I read this somewhere years ago ( I think a book called COPS). not suggesting it is a "nation wide" cop problem.
I HEART cops! :^)
Vir and maxxu- thats another problem using frugs ans steroids.
DeleteVir-yes, fugs! Lol i hv to laugh at self. Frugs!
DeleteI've known of women who have had their lives become a living hell after leaving their cop husband. Their buddies follow the ex around, harass them. Who do you call when shit like that happens?
ReplyDeleteI've only met a handful of firefighters. They treat their wife and kids like garbage.
*I know the majority of the people in these fields are good ones. It's unfortunate that the assholes stand out more.
WOW! @Pip
ReplyDeleteI've heard these kinds of stories. I just didn't want to prejudge all cops by the numerous bad stories I have heard.
Frightening!
@Virginia, I'm sure there are far more good/stable cops than bad/disturbed, and that extends to all professions. I'm just glad it seems to getting harder for abusive individuals to hide behind their professional status.
ReplyDeleteI dated a paramedic/firefighter for years (until I found out about all his other girlfriends). While we were dating I was amazed by how much the people in law enforcement and EMS sleep around, and thought how lucky I was to have found a "good one". Lol, nope.
ReplyDeletePromiscuity aside, all of them were competent professionals...just shitty partners.
You really cannot be surprised when men who get paid an insane amount of money and get praised for how violent they are on the field then turn around and beat their "loved" ones. It has nothing to do with gangs, Sandy, it has to do with steroids and constantly getting away with everything so they think they're above the law. Men all over the world beat women and children every day and they aren't all in gangs.
ReplyDeleteThe NFL requires all rookies to go to orientation, part of that is on domestic violence. The recent players accused of these crimes have had the training.
ReplyDeleteI've been to the training and it is taken seriously. They also receive ongoing training and have many resources available for assistance and support.
Most other companies don't offer these resources or training.
The NFL has to abide by the agreement it has with the NFLPA (players association, a union). Currently, until a player has been found guilty of a crime, the team can only suspend a player charged of a crime up to 4 games total.
The team can cut a player, however that not only involves the NFLPA, but also the contract with the player.
There is an ethics portion of all players contracts. In case a player does something that is considered detrimental to the image of the team or NFL.
Last, the recent players in the news who have been accused are running backs. They carry the ball. So yes, their job is physical, but not as much so as if they played defense. Big, big difference.
I've found most people just don't know enough about the NFL, players, programs offered, or training.
People use stereotypes of big dumb violent football players.
Not all players are big and trained to tackle.
More importantly, not all are bad people.
For a great example of a player, look to Trot Polamalu. Plays defense, tough player, but is very kind and gentle person off the field. Goes to show you that just because you have to be strong and tough for your job doesn't mean you're going to be an abuser. That correlation is ridiculous.
Excellent and informative post, thank you.
DeleteSure - and thanks!
DeleteAnother overgrown male-child who had no father. Why women continue to be with these sick idiots is beyond me. I hope the child is okay.
ReplyDelete@Mysti great info you provided.
ReplyDeleteI agree not all of them are like this, but sadly a lot are.
Think about it, most of these players have been singled out since Jr High, coached and cottled and even recruited for high school, many have been told their shit don't stink,and have their asses bailed out more times then any of us can count.sterioids may or may not be introduced
Then colleges come a knocking, promises of the world, things are amped up even more, they become supah staaaaaahhhhs.
Then if they are lucky, the big brass ring, NFL. The sky is the limit for them.
Not all of them are encourage to do well in school, many come from such poor conditions, and many have been "exposed' to gangs. Not everyone can be RGIII
Winning is everything, everything else be damned. And not all coaches are good ones.
The closest thing to a modern day Tom Landry might be Jim Harbaugh. Maybe.
One coach who is getting tons of crap right now, and may not be around much longer is, Charlie Strong from University of Texas. He is booting players off left and right.
*linky a great story about him*
http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/11303427/charlie-strong-confirms-suspensions-dismissals-texas-longhorns-players
He makes his players talk the talk and walk the walk. He might be the only chance these players have, of being "normal". And the reason why I say he might not last long. Here in Texas, football is King, and they want wins.
We need more people like Charlie Strong in the NFL, hopefully they can find them.
I fully understand how important protecting women and children from violence, and abuse is never, ever okay..
but.. Are they really trying to help victims, or are they now just on a which hunt?
*I do agree, each and everyone should be charged, and never ever think this is okay. But I do feel that is a valid question*
@joella, the nfl doesn't care about protecting women and/or children. they are currently on a witch hunt to get rid of all their abusive players because of all the bad publicity they've been getting and they don't want to lose money.
ReplyDeleteYou know it's funny almost how earlier this year everyone kept going on and on about how Michael Sam being gay and in the nfl was going to be too big a distraction and now all this is going on and you know the nfl wishes Michael Sam was their biggest distraction right now.
Yeah, jack, mike sam is the problem, lol
DeleteInteresting side note, Dwyer was cut by the steelers, despite being a good player. They had an idea about his character and chose to cut him for that as opposed to keeping a good player.
ReplyDeleteThat organization has cut good players in the past for the same reasons. Within a year of leaving Pittsburgh they are usually arrested for something dumb.
Of course they've had their own issues with players as well.
I think it's great what the Texas coach is doing! You're right tho, a coach is there for wins, not as a guidance counselor.
Btw, I've been a lurker here for sooo long and finally got all set up to post.
ReplyDeleteTook me about 2 years...so I feel like I know most of you already.
im always astonished by how long people lurk. I lurked until there was a BI that I really thought I had a decent guess on and found intriguing, all of about 2 weeks. but I didn't spend as much time on CDAN then as I do now. when you start posting/commenting...down the rabbit hole ya go. tehehehehe
ReplyDelete...CDAN=time vampire.
Lol, well I'm excited bc I've had to be careful how I post and where due to previous connections and employment, but now I'm free to post away! Ummm, well, I'll still have to be careful but should be fun to tell what I know!!!
DeleteJust waiting to see if any of my inside info will be able to add to a blind or two!!
@Nutty, in the case of Boxers, I think the prevalence of D.V. cases in that field is pretty well documented!!
ReplyDeleteHiYa Mysti Fy, sounds like you're going to be the source to go to for some of these juicy BIs- welcome!!! looking forward to hearing more from you.Your post today was REALLY informative for me! thank you.
ReplyDeleteGreat! I don't know about how good I'll be at guessing, I get thrown off on the ratings sometimes...but I'm hoping I'll get to share some good gossip :)
DeleteDomestic violence is a problem everywhere, but the NFL is a microcosm where the issues behind it get magnified. Look at guys like retired Charger and Packer, Aaron Taylor, who dedicate their lives to helping players with these very problems. By retirement, a lot of these guys will be bankrupt, divorced, injured and/or addicted to something. Many will be all of the above, the prevalence in the NFL is outstanding.
ReplyDeleteAs for gangs: many NFL players have had gang ties, from Aaron Hernandez all the way to Junior Seau (both had ties to their local sets of Bloods). While everyone has a choice, one's choice and agency are limited when they are born into a generational gang and that shit runs through their family.
Then add the hyper macho tough posturing inherent in the sport and it's culture. Junior once finished a game with broken bones and didn't even shed a tear, because that was what was expected. Combine all of this with the drugs, money, fame, and risk of brain injuries and we've got ourselves an institutional dilemma.
Finally, a big welcome to
@Mysti Fy!
Boo I wish I posted it earlier because everyone is gone now :(
Lady H, I'm a big fan of yours :). Thanks for the welcome!
Delete@JoElla I went to school with a guy, best player that had been in our area for decades. High School All American. I was friends with him and knew how uneducated he was. Guy could barely sign his name but got at least "C" grades from the teachers so he could play.
ReplyDeleteHe signed with a big college our senior year but got arrested a couple of times over the summer and his scholarship was revoked. He went to a smaller school and as such, scouts that would've seen him play and got him to the NFL didn't pay as much attention so he was skipped over.
A few years go by and while I'm at work he comes to see a guy he knows. He notices me and runs over, grabs me and hugs me and we talk for a while.
A month later I'm at home watching the news when it comes on that he had been arrested for assaulting his girlfriend and killing her mom. He's on Death Row now.
He blames everything on the original college not giving him his scholarship. It's not that he never had to use his brains and learn anything. It's not that he was buying and selling drugs. It's not that he had the attitude that women were put here to service him because he can run with a football. It's all because he didn't get to go to the NFL.
It's really a problem that pervades more than just sports. Young people now seem to believe that they are owed celebrity, fame and fortune. And many, if they don't achieve it they take it out on either themselves through suicide (like that one female singer from a few weeks back) or on other people through violence.
We as a society need to stop putting so much importance on people who are good at sports, look good on TV, were born with money, etc. We need to let people see that it's OK to be just a regular person. That there's no shame in working at a factory or fast food place to provide for you and your family. We basically need to remove the stigma of normalcy so people can learn that they are more than the sum of what they do for a living, what kind of car or clothes they have or how much money they make.
You don't ever have to stop trying to win the gold medal but realize that there's no shame in bringing home the bronze.
Great post! I'd just add that some players, even with good intentions, have a lot of baggage by the time they make their money.
DeletePlayers are getting paid in college all the time too, it's just done quietly.