NFL Criminal Behavior

Kyler Evans
12/1/17
Mrs. Sapp
“The NFL and the Criminal Behavior of Football Players”

American political commentator George F. WIll once stated on the violence of football, “Football combines two of the worst things in American life. It is violence punctuated by committee meetings.”(Will) Throughout the course of the sport history, there have been many changes to the rules regulations and procedures by which the players and sports fans abide by. From equipment changes to a change in score-tallying, there have been deviations in the way the game has been played since it was first conceived. However, what has stayed consistently in the roots of the game up until this day is its origin in organized and entertainment based violence. The thrashing

In short, football has been violent and more than likely will stay that way. For many players, this is not seen as a risk or roulette but instead a showing of toughness and masculinity. Many players play the game with a sense of new-age honor previously displayed by warriors of battle. Players like retired linebacker Ray Lewis and Charles Woodson are praised and revered for their toughness over many years f play in such a violent sport. However,when that same notion of violence and criminality is taken out of the rules of the game-fighting other players on the field, sexual assault, and domestic violence-the NFL is very staunch on how they feel about these players decisions and are very fearful of allowing them back on the field. This seems backwards and begs the question: where is the line drawn and

However, just as there is criminality experienced within the boundary of play, so is true outside it. In recent years, there have been a multitude of cases that have been focused on the criminal behavior of players. The largest epidemic of crimes has been most notably related to domestic violence. Players hitting their spouses and significant others has garnered a great deal of attention from domestic violence groups putting pressure on the NFL to handle any and all issues that cross their table. It’s quite ironic to think that the NFL is considered dangerous and violent on the field yet they have this large responsibility of making their sure their players are not such elsewhere. For example, star running-back Ezekiel Elliott was suspended six games following an investigation in which a young woman accused him of abusing her. Through the investigation, it was found that Elliot was drunk during some of the altercation leading him to make poor decisions of judgement. Elliot has attempted appealing the decision throughout the duration of the season but for the most part has failed. Though tragic, Elliot is a perfect example of what happens to player who break the rules. The NFL was very staunch in his ruling. This was also the case for players in the past. Back in 2014, Adrian Peterson was charged for child abuse and indefinitely removed from the Minnesota Vikings roster.