KUDOS to the NFL for firing player for domestic violence

[Niel]

And the hits (literal) just keep on coming! The rot at the core of that testosterone and money soaked game we call fooball, is really starting to bubble up to the surface. Adrian Peterson indicted for child harm.

http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2014/09/12/minnesota_vikings_running_back_adrian_peterson_reportedly_indicted_for_child.html

Right now he's suspended with pay, according to NPR, which also mentioned that what the NFL is truly terrified of, is that women will get activated and start putting pressure on their sponsors.

IMO, women should get activated and just quit watching the damn game.

His two year old son died last year as well. He was beaten to death by the new boyfriend of Adrian's baby's mother/ex girlfriend. Just so sad. It's like he doesn't value these precious gifts he was given at all.

OK now, his son was killed by the mother's boyfriend. I do not find that AP's fault, so to include that as an indictment of his character is unfair. He was clearly heartbroken over the situation

As for him using a switch to spank his son, I won't comment. I know in some African American cultures it is/ was a standard sort of punishment. To the point they included jokes about it in the TV show Community. I don't condone corporal punishment but I'm not going to lump him in with Ray Rice and his deplorable actions just because both story's broke in the same month. I don't think anyone knows enough about the situation.

I'll admit. If its as bad as some reports say, he deserves no defense.

 

[OreoRosies86]

And the hits (literal) just keep on coming! The rot at the core of that testosterone and money soaked game we call fooball, is really starting to bubble up to the surface. Adrian Peterson indicted for child harm.

http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2014/09/12/minnesota_vikings_running_back_adrian_peterson_reportedly_indicted_for_child.html

Right now he's suspended with pay, according to NPR, which also mentioned that what the NFL is truly terrified of, is that women will get activated and start putting pressure on their sponsors.

IMO, women should get activated and just quit watching the damn game.

His two year old son died last year as well. He was beaten to death by the new boyfriend of Adrian's baby's mother/ex girlfriend. Just so sad. It's like he doesn't value these precious gifts he was given at all.

OK now, his son was killed by the mother's boyfriend. I do not find that AP's fault, so to include that as an indictment of his character is unfair. He was clearly heartbroken over the situation

As for him using a switch to spank his son, I won't comment. I know in some African American cultures it is/ was a standard sort of punishment. To the point they included jokes about it in the TV show Community. I don't condone corporal punishment but I'm not going to lump him in with Ray Rice and his deplorable actions just because both story's broke in the same month. I don't think anyone knows enough about the situation.

If my child was beaten to death, no, I would not beat my kid. Not that I would anyway. I'll go further and say heartbroken or not I don't think he even knew his son. He's despicable.

 

[momhappy]

^I completely agree. If you lost a child to such a horrible death (and you were "heartbroken" over it), why on Earth would you engage in similar behaviors with another child The incidents, although entirely separate, are related in the sense that they are a reflection of his poor character/poor judgement.

 

[perry]

Actually, the concept that you are automatically fired from your job for off the job behavior - is in general horrifying to me.

This does not mean that I in any way support abuse, domestic violence, etc.

I presume that most of you cheering this on would not object one iota if you were now subject to immediate termination from your job if you are charged with any number of crimes (and that is just charged - not convicted).

Sorry, that will destroy our country - so why are you all cheering it on here?

As for the people who claim that they cannot support or watch the NFL or other sports because there are "bad" people with "bad" actions... Please tell me which industry does not have "bad" people who do "bad" things in it.

In fact; historically and still to this day - one of the overall bloodiest and abusive industries in the world is gemstones - the very base of Pricescope. The murder rate, torture and abuse rate is very high at all the levels. Miners and lower level gemstone processors are often controlled via threats to their family (which are carried out if desires are not complied with). Even higher level gemstone cutters may be so controlled. Of course; we pretend that somehow "our" pretties were obtained by other more humane methods; but, in very few cases can we ever know that. Even if they were; the fact is that a good percentage of the gemstones in the world are still "sourced" via abusive situations tells the story of the industry.

Now, I agree that the NFL has a problem in several respects. I agree that abuse and domestic violence is a problem. I do not blame the victims (and am horrified that some of you seem to). These are areas we need to address and work on.

But, I will never never never support anyone getting fired for personal behavior off the job - that does not directly affect their job performance (most people get fired when they miss work due to the time they need to address these issues).

Have a great day,

Perry

 

[packrat]

it's one thing to get a speeding ticket off the job and be fired, it's another thing to kill someone or beat the holy mackerel out of someone. People at some point, should be held to a certain standard level. As an officer, if JD hit me, he would be out of a job. And that's how it should be. If JD got a DUI or something, he would be out of a job, and that's how it should be. Standards and personal responsibility. When you are a public figure, you take the good and the bad w/that. This guy gets more money in one year than everyone in my town combined. He can put on his big boy britches and be a man, and learn to act like a man, and learn to take consequences like a man. Or he can act like a whine baby pee pants, that's his choice. He did it, he should own it, and he should accept the consequences of his actions.

It's a simple concept, really...but one I think we give people in the celebrity world a get out of jail free card/free pass on.

 

[Circe]

Interesting article laying out the NFL's tax exempt status, thought it might be of interest to some of you: http://m.espn.go.com/nfl/story?storyId=9342479&src=desktop

To me it sounds a lot like they aren't eligible for it: they don't promote the sport as a whole, just the 32 elite teams with the highest revenue streams (which they then take out of the stream of taxable income on the federal, state, and city levels). By that standard, I should get tax-exempt status for promoting Circes. I mean, sure, I focus on just this one specific one, but nevertheless ....

 

[momhappy]

Actually, the concept that you are automatically fired from your job for off the job behavior - is in general horrifying to me.

This does not mean that I in any way support abuse, domestic violence, etc.

I presume that most of you cheering this on would not object one iota if you were now subject to immediate termination from your job if you are charged with any number of crimes (and that is just charged - not convicted).

Sorry, that will destroy our country - so why are you all cheering it on here?

As for the people who claim that they cannot support or watch the NFL or other sports because there are "bad" people with "bad" actions... Please tell me which industry does not have "bad" people who do "bad" things in it.

In fact; historically and still to this day - one of the overall bloodiest and abusive industries in the world is gemstones - the very base of Pricescope. The murder rate, torture and abuse rate is very high at all the levels. Miners and lower level gemstone processors are often controlled via threats to their family (which are carried out if desires are not complied with). Even higher level gemstone cutters may be so controlled. Of course; we pretend that somehow "our" pretties were obtained by other more humane methods; but, in very few cases can we ever know that. Even if they were; the fact is that a good percentage of the gemstones in the world are still "sourced" via abusive situations tells the story of the industry.

Now, I agree that the NFL has a problem in several respects. I agree that abuse and domestic violence is a problem. I do not blame the victims (and am horrified that some of you seem to). These are areas we need to address and work on.

But, I will never never never support anyone getting fired for personal behavior off the job - that does not directly affect their job performance (most people get fired when they miss work due to the time they need to address these issues).

Have a great day,

Perry

What if there is an elementary school teacher and their personal behavior off the job included collecting child pornography? Is your argument still the same?
People can (and sometimes should) lose their jobs for various reasons. If I get charged with a crime, chances are I'm going to miss a fair amount of work and as a result, I may even lose my job. As far as NFL players are concerned, they have a certain responsibility to the public to maintain a certain image - it's part of their celebrity.

 

[perry]

Here is an article that puts things into perspective - it is a BBC link but the parent article is from the US

http://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-echochambers-29262598

Specific quotes:

"Domestic violence is less common among NFL players than the general population,"

The National Center for Women and Policing cites two studies that found that "at least 40% of police officer families experience domestic violence, in contrast to 10% of families in the general population"

He also points to a 2013 New York Times article that found many domestic violence incidents involving police are handled "informally", allowing the assailants to continue to work without official sanction.

So where is the outrage folks?

Do you all still think that 10% of the general population should be immediately fired from their jobs?

I do not condone domestic violence. I do not condone hiding it. But, I do not support immediate termination except in the most extreme situations and only where existing employment agreements have some form of "appropriate for that job" behavior clause - especially when there is no conviction. As unpopular as it may seem - it's called civil rights. Ultimately, Civil Rights is what prevents all of us from being fired, having our property confiscated, and being imprisoned without due process and substantial evidence.

Perry

 

[FrekeChild]

Of course it isn't applicable to every job, Perry, and to suggest that is goofy-ville. They have a specific clause in their NFL contract that they have to adhere to.

Today, the Personal Conduct Policy allows Commissioner Goodell to fine, suspend, or banish players for engaging in conduct detrimental the integrity of and public confidence in the National Football League. What constitutes conduct detrimental is amorphous and broad but specifically includes: “the use or threat of violence; domestic violence and other forms of partner abuse.”

http://thesportsesquires.com/2014/0...oing-on-with-the-nfl-personal-conduct-policy/

For the actual Personal Conduct Policy, please see here:

http://nfllabor.files.wordpress.com/2013/06/personal-conduct-policy.pdf

While criminal activity is clearly outside the scope of permissible conduct, and persons who
engage in criminal activity will be subject to discipline, the standard of conduct for persons
employed in the NFL is considerably higher. It is not enough simply to avoid being found guilty
of a crime. Instead, as an employee of the NFL or a member club, you are held to a higher
standard and expected to conduct yourself in a way that is responsible, promotes the values
upon which the League is based, and is lawful.
Persons who fail to live up to this standard of conduct are guilty of conduct detrimental and
subject to discipline, even where the conduct itself does not result in conviction of a crime.
Discipline may be imposed in any of the following circumstances:
• Criminal offenses including, but not limited to, those involving: the use or threat of violence;
domestic violence and other forms of partner abuse; theft and other property crimes; sex
offenses; obstruction or resisting arrest; disorderly conduct; fraud; racketeering; and money
laundering;
• Criminal offenses relating to steroids and prohibited substances, or substances of abuse;
• Violent or threatening behavior among employees, whether in or outside the workplace;
• Possession of a gun or other weapon in any workplace setting, including but not limited to
stadiums, team facilities, training camp, locker rooms, team planes, buses, parking lots, etc., or
unlawful possession of a weapon outside of the workplace;
• Conduct that imposes inherent danger to the safety and well being of another person; and
• Conduct that undermines or puts at risk the integrity and reputation of the NFL, NFL clubs, or
NFL players.

So stop being ridiculous and make it sound like he's having his civil liberties taken from him. He took a job that included that he follow specific behavior, and it was written into his contract. He chose to not abide by that policy, which is grounds for dismissal, simply put. Obviously his behavior has made the NFL look bad, which is why the policy exists in the first place!

You don't even really have an argument, except maybe that no one who commits domestic violence should be fired. Shall we make that a disability or a protected class of citizen so that no one who commits DV can be fired from their jobs?