The Ray Rice Elevator Video

Given your thoughts on the Robin Williams thread, I would think you'd applaud him for becoming an advocate for the issue of mental health. It seems to me he's given more than lip service to turning his life around. But maybe you know more than I do.

 

Apologies if this was already mentioned, but Goodell issued a statement to team executives and presidents. Take it for what it's worth:

http://static.nfl.com/static/content/public/photo/2014/09/10/0ap3000000392546.pdf

 

Second, on multiple occasions, we asked the proper law enforcement authorities to share
with us all relevant information, including any video of the incident. Those requests were made
to different law enforcement entities, including the New Jersey State Police, the Atlantic City
Police Department, the Atlantic County Police Department and the Atlantic County Solicitor’s
Office. The requests were first made in February following the incident, and were again made
following Mr. Rice’s entry into the pre-trial diversion program.

If these requests were in writing, they should be easy enough to confirm as public records.

 

Commenting generally, there are some people who believe that when mental health issues are discussed, it's another way of saying, "Some people just aren't responsible for their actions." That's not what it's about, of course.

It's certainly a legitimate question to ask whether or not Marshall should have faced greater discipline for his past transgressions, but he's doing the right thing by raising mental health awareness. In the case of domestic violence, it's certainly not the sole reason for it, but it can play a part in the equation.

 

I think it's great that Marshall is open about mental illness stuff. Courageous even. I don't know how I feel about him never suffering a penalty for being a serial abuser. (Not good, though.) think it's pretty hypocritical of NFL to essentially say "This guy can be celebrated" and "this guy is the absolute worst" because Rice punched his girlfriend in a casino and Marshall did it at home, at a party, at a club, then got counseling and said he was better. Isn't "going to counseling" something people have mocked Rice for a lot in this thread?

 

Was his suspension during his Denver days not related, in part, to the domestic incidents? It ended up being just one game, but that's on the league.

I just found it surprising that you would use Marshall to make your point when there are, unfortunately, plenty of better candidates. And on that subject, has anyone asked Goodell directly about Greg Hardy? He has to be suspended soon, right?

 

No, not precisely.

The problem is that Harbaugh kept proudly announcing how he and Janay are going to couples counseling, always pairing them as equally culpable combatants in a little marriage spat.

It's also worth mocking because the comments came two days after the incident. It was all under control now, you see. They are in couples counseling, working things out.

 

I'm using Marshall because he's on Inside the NFL. Greg Hardy isn't being celebrated for being "invaluable" as part of a network show.

 

Didn't you use Marshall initially, before I posted that link?

Anyway, he and Jay Cutler seem to be enjoying a peaceful, loving marriage these days.

 

The NFL has the balls to demand halftime performers pay them for the privilege - but not enough to get a tape from a hotel? Shoot, the NFL's security folks are all former feds. They don't tend to hear the word "no" and walk away.

 

Regarding Hardy, I know it was discussed earlier in the thread, but long story short: He was convicted in county court, but appealed for a jury trial.

With that said, here is the problem: We have what appears to be an inconsistent method by Roger Goodell in determining punishment under the player conduct policy. We don't have a clear understanding about what Goodell looks at with each player, whether it's:

* Accused, never arrested or charged, civil lawsuit filed.
* Arrested, but formal charges never filed.
* Enters court-approved counseling.
* Enters guilty plea.
* Found not guilty by jury.
* Found guilty and sentenced.
* Found guilty but appeals decision.

So what is Goodell looking at? And why hasn't he spelled it out?

What we are left with are a lot of perceptions, some which may not be fair, but are going to remain until Goodell spells out exactly what he looks at and gives the impression he is applying his process consistently.

 

Has Goodell at any point addressed by every prominent national NFL writer wrote that the NFL had seen the tape, and described its contents in detail?

O'Donnell blew it big-time by not pressing him on that. I'm sure she didn't realize it.