What I've witnessed happening in the National Football League in the past few weeks is an organization sticking a wet finger in the air and wherever the wind is blowing, is where they have been driven to.
The Ray Rice situation, along with the other alleged domestic violence issues has cast an ominous cloud over the entire NFL. But, how can the league act on punishing players who have not yet had a court hearing? Other players who have been convicted of breaking the law have, and should, be punished by the league as it sees fit. However, in the case of Rice, he admitted to hitting his female partner. He said himself he did it. So, the league acted and gave him a two game suspension. Then there was the other part of the film footage showing him hitting her and a subsequent indefinite suspension from the NFL followed. That, to me, is a "head scratcher." The guy said he hit her, 2 games. The guy is seen hitting her, indefinite suspension. WHAT? College quarterback Jameis Winston blabs his mouth and utters obscenities, he's suspended for the first half of his next game. There is public outcry, he's then suspended for the entire game. WHAT?
A situation like the Rice case is one thing, but public outrage is not a way to manage your internal affairs. If that were the case, many many people would be unjustly jailed or put to death. The court system must speak first then punishment should follow if a party is found guilty. We are all innocent until proven guilty. Right?
I can't stand the climate of ever changing stances based on the level of public outcry. Let the facts come out, let both sides make a case, send the issue to a jury and then take a stand. It's not perfect but it's a hell of a lot better than trail by sentiment.
