The NFL just recently divulged that Adrian Peterson has been indicted for child injury. This in the 
same week that Ray Rice was cut by the Ravens after evidence surfaced that he had punched his girlfriend in the face. This is the kind of stuff we are supposed to take out on the field guys!
There are those who support Adrian Peterson and the jury is still out..no one really knows what happened or what part Adrian played at this point. But am I the only one who worries when the safety and well-being of this country’s women and children are at risk? Shouldn’t the millions these guys (no matter what team they play for) make go toward their family’s safety and well-being?
There are a few things that the NFL can do to make sure it does not harbor and justify abuse:
1. Make sure the NFL policy’s are intolerant of abuse.
These allegations need to be properly investigated. But if an NFL player is found guilty of abuse of a spouse or injury of a child, that player needs to CEASE to be an NFL player…period! Playing football in the NFL is a privilege, not a right and anyone who breaks the code should forfeit the right to the benefits of being an NFL player.
2. Thoroughly investigate ANYTHING that smacks of abuse.
The NFL needs to be proactive and set the stage for even the smallest hint of spousal or child abuse in their ranks. There needs to be a culture of distrust when anything of the kind comes out. Not that players are guilty until proven innocent, but jeeze…did you see the Ray Rice video??? It made me SICK! If I am the only one then fine….just forget it…but I don’t think I am alone.
3. Find the reason behind football again.
Football exists so that nobody has to be beaten or bloodied on the battlefield or in the home. These guys get to play hard, put themselves on the line, and FIGHT for their side…without the risk of death on either side. That is where these sports come from folks…battle! But sports like NFL football are supposed to replace the death on the battlefield, the hurting of others…sports are supposed to be the civilized battles whereby we can prove triumphant but not continue to hurt each other. If sports encourage and facilitate abuse…something has gone really wrong. They are supposed to replace such things. There is no way to strain the competition out of life but football is a way to compete…win…lose…and be able to get up and play again with little harm done.
In short, I hope that the NFL can get a solid grasp on the issues that threaten it today. I love this sport and hope that it can continue to be a beacon of hope for youth across the country. Strong policies, intolerant of abuse, are the future of this sport, they are the future of the NFL. Let these young men play, fight, and push themselves to the limit so that they have NO need, when they get home, to distribute anything but PEACE to their loved ones. It is difficult but not impossible for the NFL to fulfill this exact role in society. But it will take work…
I, too, worry about this nations women and children and have for a very long time. Women and children are treated, by some, as property and that is just plain wrong! It’s not only NFL, but what about NBA, MLB, etc. Some things we don’t hear about. It’s also in everyday society and goes unnoticed!
I think it is very sad that these horrific crimes are being committed by idols that young and old alike look up to. What really shocks me is AP just losing his son to abuse and now him being charged with the crime just blind sides me. I know children these days think that a spanking with a belt is abuse but in my day I had my bottom tanned more than a few times with one!And I turned out just fine. Even taught me to respect my parents more and not to repeat what got me spanked in the first place
As long as it does not endanger the child I do not think it should be child abuse! This is the problem with kids now they have no type of punishment that scares them,”Time out” Please this is no punishment take away their IPod come on! Bottom line is a butt whoopin should not be considered child abuse as long as the child is not beaten! A switch to the back side does not hurt a child except their feelings. I use to have to go out back and cut the switch off our willow tree to get my butt whooped if I did something that warranted it. I agree a child should not be beaten where it causes bodily harm and endangers their life then yes the NFL and law alike should come down hard on these people. Ray Rice should be in prison for what he did and until the investigation of AP is told I am hoping he did not beat this kid like his own son was. If it was just a whoopin with a switch then the NFL and the law needs to stay out of it and let the family handle their business.
I agree 100%
One thing that has been lost is the voice of the child. Everybody wants to talk about their own story and the media will talk about Adrian. But it is assumed that the child did something wrong…it is assumed that he deserved to get switched? What? Guess who will never have a voice…the child. That is what I wish I could change about this story…I wish I could hear from the child…That is why it is PARAMOUNT that the law steps in. They may be wrong but they will be the ONLY ones that ask the child what happened. Am I being crazy here?
The child is the only one that has to be spoken for (and first listened to) by someone else.