NFL players not the only ones messing up

Four NFL players out of 1,600+ arrested over a nine month period for domestic violence= an epidemic according to media sensationalism.

Love it.

 

So that's an average of five a year. Five. Out of 1,600+ each year. This is not some hysterical problem that needs to be dealt with sweeping change around the league. These are isolated incidents.

 

Been thinking about this for awhile, so I finally googled an article about the comparison between the NFL and general public:

http://fivethirtyeight.com/datalab/the-rate-of-domestic-violence-arrests-among-nfl-players/

It is actually lower in the NFL than in the general population per this study.

That said, what do you consider "sweeping change"? Was Goodell's pre-video proclamation (6 weeks first offense for domestic violence, lifetime potentially for subsequent offense) sweeping in your opinion? Back in 2005, Hopkins got a one game suspension for his offense (from what I could glean, anyway). Is a 1-2 game suspension for this ok by you?

Do you think that the pre-conviction suspensions that we are starting to see now are sweeping changes? I do agree that this could be gamed (by nuisance claims) in the future btw...

I am not trying to start an argument, I am really more curious about where you think the line should be drawn on this.

 

I think it's excessive, but at least it isn't arbitrary. I think four is more reasonable. 1/4 of the season. I think that's an issue the NFL faces, the number of games played is less, so when a player is suspended four games people who don't follow the sport(media talking heads) scoff when in reality it's a tougher penalty than 25 games in the MLB.

see answer above.

Yes and I think they're ridiculous. I'd rather due process be afforded than have a guy sit unjustly. Also, you're seeing an uneven punishment and competitive advantage. Adrian Peterson and Jonathon Dywer sit while Ray McDonald plays. This isn't college football where each school/conference has the ability to have their own policies regarding X law infraction. These things are collectively bargained and should be administered consistently.