The NFL's Wink and a Nod to Domestic Violence

I'm no fan of the NFL for any number of reasons, not the least of which is the homophobia that remains rampant throughout the league and its owners, coaches and players.  Yet another reason to view the NFL is its continued willingness to overlook bad behavior by players, especially when it comes to domestic and sexual violence.  Rather than worrying about Michael Sam's sexual orientation, the NFL needs to be purging its player ranks of thugs and criminals.  Perhaps recent bad publicity will finally force a much needed housecleaning. A piece in the New York Times looks at the NFL's sad record when it comes to players involved in domestic violence.  Here are highlights:

On April 10, 2007, after more than 50 National Football League players had been arrested in the previous football season, Commissioner Roger Goodell was widely hailed for instituting a newly stringent personal conduct policy. Mr. Goodell threatened to banish players for off-the-field transgressions and installed himself as the judge and jury presiding over every case.

Mr. Goodell insisted that he would mete out discipline without waiting for the judicial system.

“It is my job — not law enforcement’s job — to protect the National Football League,” he said at the time.

But in his role as the N.F.L.’s hard-bitten sheriff, Mr. Goodell appears to have had a major blind spot: domestic violence cases. Players charged with domestic violence routinely received considerably lighter punishments than players accused of other offenses, like drug use or drunken driving. Often, they were not punished at all. On Friday, seven years after he implemented the personal conduct policy, Mr. Goodell acknowledged publicly that it had failed and would be overhauled.

An examination of dozens of arrests of N.F.L. players since Mr. Goodell established his personal conduct policy in 2007 — and the fines and penalties doled out by the league — shows that suspensions of two to four games, and sometimes more, were far more likely for players arrested on drunken driving, marijuana possession or weapon charges. A vast majority of players charged with domestic violence crimes, if they were disciplined by the league at all, received one-game suspensions even after pleading guilty to lesser related charges or entering pretrial intervention programs.

 

The disparity in punishments within the league is illustrated in numerous cases.

“I don’t think the N.F.L. did anything more than give lip service to the notion that they were taking domestic abuse seriously,” said Ann DeLaney, an advocate for victims of domestic violence and the former executive director of the Julian Center in Indianapolis, a victim support group.  Referring to the Ray Rice case, Ms. DeLaney continued, “That’s what they did this time until it was caught on video.”

[T]he recent high-profile episodes have led to a firestorm of protest from inside and outside football.  Tyrone Thomas, a Washington lawyer who advises on sports cases, said the N.F.L. had always had the power to take a tougher tack in instances in which there were accusations of domestic violence, but had chosen not to. 

Besides the Rice case, the N.F.L. has also been harshly criticized for its handling of three other recent abuse cases — those of Adrian Peterson, a star running back for the Minnesota Vikings, who has been accused of injuring one of his children; Carolina Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy, who was convicted of assaulting his girlfriend; and San Francisco 49ers defensive end Ray McDonald, who was arrested last month on suspicion of domestic violence.

Nita Chaudhary, a founder of UltraViolet, a women’s rights advocacy group, remained critical of the N.F.L. on Friday despite Goodell’s pledge to revamp the league’s personal conduct policy and penalties. . . . . . We call on all of the N.F.L.’s sponsors to take a stand against domestic violence by withdrawing their support for the N.F.L. until Goodell is out of office.”

The root of the problem?  Likely the macho mindset that thinks being homophobic is fine also sees beating you wife/girlfriend as being fine too. 

Dallas Cowboys Plan to Sign Michael Sam to Practice Squad

Years ago when I lived in Houston, I began being a fan of the Dallas Cowboys because the Houston Oilers were nothing short of terrible - an embarrassment to the city of Houston.  When I moved back to Virginia, the abundance of obnoxious Washington Red Skin fans - most of whom had no ties whatsoever to Washington - made remaining a Cowboys fan look worthwhile.  Now, there may be another reason to cheer the Cowboys: the NFL is reporting that the Cowboys plan on signing Michael Sam to their practice team.  Here are some highlights from NFL.com:

Michael Sam's NFL journey isn't over yet.

The Dallas Cowboys plan to bring the free-agent defensive end in for a physical on Wednesday, a team source told NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport. If the rookie passes, Sam will be added to the team's practice squad.

The seventh-round pick of the Rams cleared waivers on Sunday after St. Louis released him during their roster reduction to 53 men. NFL Media columnist Michael Silver reported that coach Jeff Fisher "remains a fan" but the Rams needed practice help at other positions due to injury concerns.

The NFL's first openly gay player racked up 2.5 sacks this preseason and led the Rams with six tackles in Thursday night's preseason loss to the Miami Dolphins.

The Cowboys spent Tuesday calling their own players to gauge reaction to making Sam a Cowboy. With the Rams out of the picture, Dallas looms as a solid fit for last year's SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Year because of the team's 4-3 scheme and a desperate need for help on defense.

Rams Sign Michael Sam To Four-Year Multi-Million Dollar Contract

The haters at the American Family Association will have to ramp up yet another unsuccessful boycott campaign in the wake of the St. Louis Rams' signing of a four year, multimillion dollar contract with openly gay Michael Sam (pictured above with his boyfriend).  The contract hopefully will put to rest for good the claims that no NFL team would ever sign an openly gay player.  The New Civil Rights Movement looks at this development. Here are some highlights:

The St. Louis Rams have signed Michael Sam to a four-year, $2.65 million dollar contract, officially making him the first openly gay player to be hired into a mainline professional sports team.

The Rams made the announcement yesterday afternoon, and in fact hired all eleven picks from their entire 2014 draft class.

Sam, who is 24, is guaranteed at least $46,000, according to Fox Sports. “Let’s do this!!” Sam tweeted after the news was announced.

In early February, Michael Sam announced that he is gay, not wanting to surprise a future employer. He has become a flash point for conservatives, one that exploded when he was drafted into the NFL last month. Sam, as many players do, kissed his significant other — in this case, a man — infuriating social conservatives who thought it was a ratings plot by ESPN.

Bigots Claim Rams' Draft of Gay Player Violated Their Religious Freedoms

The last few days have truly provided a bumper crop of examples of Christofascst lunacy as the godly folk have gone absolutely batshit crazy over gay marriage and the St. Louis Ram's drafting of Michael Sam.  What truly put the drooling, spittle flecked "godly folk" completely into crazy land was ESPN's broadcast of Michael Sam learning that he had been selected and the following kiss that he gave to his very attractive boyfriend.  Since Sam's draft, these folks have had nothing short of apoplexy and have gone berserk claiming that somehow the Rams and the NFL have trampled on their religious freedom.  How any of this amounts to an interference with their religious freedom rights isn't explained, particularly since if they find gays offense, then all they need do is to change the TV channel.  Christian Post provides an example of this unhinged batshitery:

Jack Burkman, head of the Washington, D.C. lobbying firm J.M. Burkman & Assoc. who is seeking to ban gays from the NFL, says he intends to build a national coalition to boycott any football franchise that picks openly gay football player Michael Sam in the NFL Draft, which starts Thursday at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.

In a release issued Thursday, Burkman said he would "leverage his political clout" to ensure that the franchise that selects the 6-foot-2, 260-pound defensive end from Missouri would get "roughed up financially."

"The NFL, like most of the rest of American business, is about to learn that when you trample the Christian community and Christian values there will be a terrible financial price to pay," said Burkman.

WWJD?  Obviously, not what Burkman is advocating.  As noted in the previous post, what is really going on is that the Christofascists are beginning to slowly realize that the tables are turning and it is they, not gays, who are about to be the ones shunned by decent society. A piece in Salon entitled "Michael Sam is the New Normal" looks at this process of the tables turning on the "godly folk" who at least in Virginia are 9 times out of 10 openly racist to boot:

It would have been historic even without the kiss. But while the critics continue their predictable frothing over Michael Sam’s emotional response this weekend to his NFL draft, it doesn’t change the fact that the world is a different place now because of it.

That he’d already scored an endorsement deal with Visa indicated that being gay doesn’t have to make a man sponsorship-averse, but it also didn’t guarantee a career – or indicate what that career would look like.

That changed on Saturday in the span of a phone call – and the moments immediately afterward. It happened not just with the Rams’ indication that the NFL is ready for an openly gay player, but in Sam’s tearful, bowled over response. It happened when he joyfully smooched his boyfriend Vito Cammisano — and in the way an entire roomful of jubilant friends and family witnessed the whole thing and supportively celebrated with them.

The partners of sports figures always tend to attract attention. The WAGS (women and girlfriends) are part of the culture of the NFL, a lusted-after collection of supermodels and actresses. It’s going to be different from here on in. Having now seen a photo of Cammisano shirtless, I fully support this new expansion of the pool to include husbands and boyfriends.

But that gay, interracial display of affection was guaranteed to blow a few gaskets. 

While that kiss might not do anything to open the hearts of the crazy YouTube ranters, it is a big step toward tolerance and equality. So if you’ve somehow managed to successfully avert your eyes for too long, or think that gay people are fine as long as they’re not being gay in front of you, go ahead and look. It’s not scary or strange. This is love. This is celebration. This is normal. And as long ago Harvey Milk said, “Once they realize that we are indeed their children, that we are indeed everywhere, every myth, every lie, every innuendo will be destroyed once and for all.”

Due to their sick psychological need to feel superior to others and their bizarre fear of any challenge to their fantasy world religious beliefs (I increasingly see it as a form of mental illness), Michael Sam, his boyfriend Vito and other gays who refuse to knuckle under to Christofascist dogma send this "godly folk" literally into a near mental breakdown.   The message, of course is that we need to maintain the pressure.  The more crazy the "godly folk" become, the sooner it will be that no one decent and moral gives them the time of day.  Which is exactly what they deserve.
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Michael Sam Drafted by the St. Louis Rams

In the last day of the NFL draft, openly gay Michael Sam was drafted by the St. Louis Rams, dispelling claims by homophobes that no team would draft an out gay player.  Kudos to the Rams.  And kudos to Michael Sam for his courage.  Amazingly, ESPN carried a video of Sam learning that he had been drafted and embracing and kissing his boyfriend.  I'm sure numerous heads exploded amongst the hate filled "godly folk."  Here are details from Out Sports:

Michael Sam has been drafted by the St. Louis Rams with the 249th pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. He is the first openly gay athlete selected in the NFL Draft and becomes the first openly gay active player in NFL history.

Analysts had largely predicted he would be drafted on the third day of the draft, with most saying he would be selected in the fifth round. When he came out in February, most analysts had him being selected in the third to fifth round. Going in the seventh round is not a stretch from the earlier predictions. Sam's subpar performance at the NFL Combine likely hurt his draft stock a bit.

Sam came out publicly in February to overwhelming support. He had been out as gay to his team at Missouri but had not made a public announcement until talk to Outsports, ESPN and the New York Times.

This week has been big for Sam. On Wednesday, ESPN announced he would be the recipient of the Arthur Ashe Courage Award. He also signed a deal with Visa, . . . .

It will be fascinating in the coming days to watch the reaction to the drafting of Sam. Some will point to his sexual orientation as the reason he wasn't drafted earlier.

Ultimately, Sam was selected in the NFL Draft, and that's what matters. He beat out thousands of other prospects for his ability to help a team. His character, his leadership, his onfield performance and his Combine performance were all weighed and the Rams made their selection when they thought they had to. His ability to sell jerseys and contribute to a national conversation were also likely taken into consideration, even though the team's coaches, owner and front office will likely dismiss that assertion.

The Insane Panicof Homophobes in the Locker Room!

With the Michael Sam's announcement that he is a proud gay man, we are once again seeing more of the mindless panic of homophobes - many of which strike me as none too confident in their own sexuality - at the thought that they might be in the same locker room as a gay man who, oh the horrors, might see them naked.  Frank Bruni has a column in the New York Times that underscores the ridiculousness of such idiotic panic not the least because these homophobic cretins have been sharing locker rooms with and showering in front of gays for most of their lives.  They simply did not know it.  And then there is the reality that many of these idiots might not even meet the standards of self-respecting gay men.  I am often struck how some of the least attractive straight men worry about gays looking at them or making a pass.  Maybe in their dreams but not in the real world.  Here are highlights from Bruni's column:

A news flash for every straight man out there: You’ve been naked in front of a gay man.

In fact you’ve been naked, over the course of your life, in front of many gay men, at least if you have more than a few years on you. And here you are — uninjured, uncorrupted, intact. The earth still spins. The sun rises and sets.

Maybe it was in gym class, long ago. Maybe at the health club more recently. Or maybe when you played sports at the high school level, the college level, later on. Whether we gay guys are one in 10 or one in 25, it’s a matter of chance: At some point, one of us was within eyeshot when you stripped down.

And you know what? He probably wasn’t checking you out. He certainly wasn’t beaming special gay-conversion gamma rays at you. That’s why you weren’t aware of his presence and didn’t immediately go out and buy a more expensive moisturizer and a disc of Judy Garland’s greatest hits. His purpose mirrored yours. He was changing clothes and showering. It’s a locker room, for heaven’s sake. Not last call at the Rawhide.

On Sunday evening, in a story in The Times by John Branch and on ESPN, a college football star named Michael Sam came out. Because Sam is almost certain to be drafted, he could soon be the first openly gay active player in the National Football League — in any of the four major professional sports in the United States.

Most reactions from the sports world were hugely positive, even inspirational.  Some were not.

“It’d chemically imbalance an N.F.L. locker room,” an N.F.L. personnel assistant, speaking anonymously, said to Sports Illustrated. I think steroids, Adderall and painkillers have already done a pretty thorough job of that, and on the evidence of his comment, they’ve addled minds in the process.

Sports Illustrated quoted an unnamed assistant coach who also brought up the fabled sanctum of Tinactin and testosterone. “There’s nothing more sensitive than the heartbeat of the locker room,” he said. “If you knowingly bring someone in there with that sexual orientation, how are the other guys going to deal with it?”

To his question, a few of my own: When did the locker room become such a delicate ecosystem? Is it inhabited by athletes or orchids? And how is it that gladiators who don’t flinch when a 300-pound mountain of flesh in shoulder pads comes roaring toward them start to quiver at the thought of a homosexual under a nearby nozzle? They may be physical giants, but at least a few of them are psychological pipsqueaks.

It’s just that those gay guys didn’t or haven’t identified themselves. Why would doing so make them a greater threat? Wouldn’t an openly gay athlete have a special investment in proving that there’s zero to worry about?

Michael Sam proved as much at the University of Missouri, where teammates learned of his sexual orientation before their most recent season. They finished 12-2, and are publicly praising him so far. Nothing about trembling or cowering in the showers.

The person who raises that fear, Amaechi said, “is a bigot finally falling over the cliff and grasping for any straw that might keep their purchase. When every rational argument is gone, you go with that.”

Well said.