What plausible explanation can the NFL have for suspending a player for a longer period of time for “substance abuse” as opposed to “violence?” None, and the league is finally recognizing this. Today, the NFL sent a letter to all owners that their protocol for domestic violence offenses has stiffened.
Repeat offenders of domestic violence would receive a lifetime ban. League does critic re-think in aftermath of backlash to Ray Rice ruling
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) August 28, 2014
The first offense will cost a player six games, and a second offense will ban him for life, reports NFL insider Jason La Canfora, according to CBSSports.com. One side note comes from ESPN’s Jane McManus as she claims players facing this lifetime ban would be eligible for reinstatement under the league’s new policy.
In this increasingly liberal world, many have recently argued some of the inconsistencies of recent suspensions. Cleveland Browns WR Josh Gordon, although a repeat offender, was recently suspended for an entire season for failing a drug test for marijuana. His test failed by the slimmest of margins: 16 ng/ml, which was only one ng/ml over the NFL legal limit of 15 ng/ml.
In fact, the NFL’s failing limit for marijuana is harsher than any of the four major sports, common employment and even the military. Talk about increasing that threshold has already begun.
While Gordon was sent packing for the entire 2014 campaign, Baltimore Ravens RB Ray Rice received a slap on the wrist for an alleged domestic abuse incident with his then fiancée. The ugly videos on the occurrence went viral, and Rice only received a two-game suspension, according to according to NJ.com.
Considering the first offense for a failed drug test is usually four games, the Rice outcome did not please many. Later commissioner Roger Goodell actually admitted in a letter to the owners that he made a mistake with such a light punishment for Rice.
The inconsistencies between the levels of discipline between drug use and physical violence became apparent this summer, and people were outraged. It appears now however that the NFL is finally listening.