In the twisted world of the NFL where GMs are seemingly afraid to draft openly gay players while coaches encourage players to harass teammates to ‘toughen them up’ we’re left with another head scratcher from Mr. Roger Goodell.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter helped break the news that the NFL has suspended Ravens’ running back Ray Rice for just two-games after he allegedly beat his wife while dragging her unconscious body out of an Atlantic City casino elevator last February.
NFL is suspending Ravens RB Ray Rice for the first two games this season, per sources. The suspension is expected to be announced today.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 24, 2014
Slap on the wrist? Maybe not even when you consider the suspensions handed out for what you would think are less violent or serious than treating another human being like they’re the Bald Bull in Punch Out. Rice received less of a suspension than players who test positive for Adderall and marijuana for the first time. It also makes those impending Josh Gordon and Justin Blackmon bans for drug and alcohol use (on multiple ocassions) a little more interesting. However Terrell Pryor really has to be scratching his head after he was slapped with a 5-game ban for accepting free tattoo while playing for Ohio State… not the Oakland Raiders.
But never mind all of that. Roger Goodell wants you to think he was a badass when handing down the penalty on Rice. Here’s the statement via Deadspin:
Despite the court’s decision not to impose criminal punishment, the Commissioner determined, as he advised Rice, that the conduct was incompatible with NFL policies and warranted disciplinary action.
“As you acknowledged during our meeting, your conduct was unquestionably inconsistent with league polices and the standard of behavior required of everyone who is part of the NFL. The league is an entity that depends on integrity and in the confidence of the public and we simply cannot tolerate conduct that endangers others or reflects negatively on our game. This is particularly true with respect to domestic violence and other forms of violence against women.”
Again though should we really be surprised by this backwards mentality of the NFL? Remember this is the same League that drops the hammer on end zone celebrations but is perfectly okay with Dan Snyder continuing to demean an entire race of people with a blatantly racist team name.