NEW YORK—In response to allegations that his office had received a copy of the footage months ago showing former Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice hitting his then-fiancée, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell assured fans Thursday that he had been far too busy dismissing other players’ assault cases during that time to have watched the video. “To those raising accusations that I saw the disturbing surveillance footage of Ray Rice before its public release, I promise you that I was too completely engrossed with side-stepping, whitewashing, and disregarding numerous other domestic violence cases to have time to view the clip,” said Goodell, adding that reviewing physical abuse charges against dozens of other players, sugarcoating the details of these incidents to the press, and burying evidence incriminating the NFL for negligence left little time for much else.
“Between glossing over all criminal charges of domestic violence against players and making numerous statements about how we would wait to see how the courts handle things first, there’s really no way I could find a free moment to sit down and watch that entire video.” Goodell added that in order to allay concerns of misconduct regarding the NFL’s handling of domestic abuse, the league is appointing a third party to independently investigate the Rice case and nothing else.
The real charade is not that Goodel may have hoped that this incident would go away. The real charade is that people continue to equate athletes as role models.
There are athletes of high character. Unfortunately, high character visits a minority of the college and professional athlete demographic. The fact that someone won the genetic lottery and has a hyperactive pituitary does not change the fact that most of the ‘Athlete role models’ are a step away from being a felon. Because of their physical characteristics (which admittedly require training and practice to perfect) we seek to admire their accomplishments. The average person has not been blessed with physical genius to play recreational kid games at the pro level. These role models have people cheering them on when they do something correctly, acts for which they are paid millions of dollars. These role models receive special treatment from high school through the pros because they can run a 4.3 40 yard dash or dunk a basketball, not because they are of high character. They are given a pass at every sign of deviance.. The fact that 70% of the NFL is black is not because blacks are of higher character, it is because they are more capable physically. When their athletic careers end the majority of pro athletes are abysmal failures.
Some may question the outcome of athletes receiving special treatment from beginning to the end and its relationship to character. Lenny Dystra was a terrific ballplayer, and I am not questioning his character. However, he was forced to retire because of a back condition.. When he could no longer play baseball, he was given a huge retirement celebration, fans attended, given a car, blah, blah, blah. When a patient that was a plumber could no longer work because of back pain, he was called a malingerer. Diagnostic studies revealed he had spinal stenosis, spondylolistheis and herniated discs in the lumbar spine, but his claims for disability were contested. He had no money, no crowds cheered him on, no parties were thrown in his honor, no car dealers gave him a car toward retirement. Whenever he fixed a toilet, no body high fived him, not one person cheered. After experiencing a large loss of income and seeking retribution in the courts, did he receive his due from the State and the insurance carrier. When I testified in his trial as an expert witness, he cried after my testimony because no one of authority had come to his aide. When he won his claim he brought his spouse to the office, thanked me personally and bought me a gift card. After all his loss, he wanted to thank me, fully aware that I was paid for my time at court. That’s character. Until we realize that there are role models all around us, there not making shaving cream adds, they do not have numbers on their backs, and they look like you and me (not like the hulk), expect more of the same.
Personally, I don’t get the angst and coverage of pro sports at all. Vapid fans going to great lengths to “support their team” (including bashing in the head of opposing team fans, i.e. Dodger stadium incident), teams which are owned by Billionaires who wouldn’t waste their spit on “the fans”, and players who are so out of touch with reality that they act like assholes and most of the time get away with it (OJ Simpson). Not to mention all the “free” press coverage of their team & sport. I mean really, who gives a shit?
Westcoast , used to love sports when I was a kid .Now I don’t even watch super bowl or the world series. Now I hate the thought of watching sports. Not sure why .Maybe player fatigue ,maybe black player fatigue or fan fatigue.
I’m not much of a sports fan, but I can’t imagine that NFL attendance or TV viewership will change much depending upon what happens to Rice. Goodell should just surprise everyone by backing Rice. He should have just stuck by his original decision – that a two game suspension is punishment enough for knocking out your woman. Cave men did it with their clubs, and besides she was probably bugging him. [img]https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=EjK9OAm6oN8[/img]
http://thebiglead.com/2014/09/11/lots-of-ravens-fans-are-wearing-ray-rice-jerseys/
They stand by their man.
Listen up, meatheads, I’m about to share a little clarity here: You see some sports and stores and restaurants that should have died a natural death years ago except for Hispanics who by nature take up the discards of Whites. Billy has witnessed to this but his interpretation is wrong. When the Hispanics show up, the end is nigh, when the Blacks show up it’s already too late. Let him who has an ear, hear the words of Comandante.