Some breaking sports news tonight: Adrian Peterson of the Minnesota Vikings will not play on Sunday. Β A jury has indicted him on child abuse charges. Β Not a lot of details, but it’s related to using a switch on his child. Β It caps off a week where reactions from the NFL, and individual teams, are under heavy public scrutiny. Β And some wonder what the real motives are.
The NFL is trying to project the image that it cares, especially about women. Β In fact, in just a couple of weeks, you’re going to see the NFL putting on a massive presentation that does bring awareness to a very good cause. Β October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and teams across the board will be putting on pink, wearing ribbons, and doing outreach, all as part of a push to be more inclusive towards women. Β It’s a good image, but not much more than dressing.
We’re talking about the same group that had planned to use Rihanna for some pre-show entertainment during Thursday Night Football. Β You know, the Rihanna who got beat up by her boyfriend Chris Brown. Β Luckily, at the last minute, somebody figured that was a bad idea.
And that speaks to the NFL being “tone deaf” to the Ray Rice situation. Β Or flat-out unconcerned at a core level. Β Recently, several bloggers and columnists have converged on a central theme: the NFL doesn’t care about women.
On Jezebel, Erin Gloria Ryan posted this: “Most people recognized the NFL’s appallingly tone deaf punishment, and its meat head defense of said punishment. Β The league is made up of, governed by, and boosted by people who very publicly think very little of women.”
At CBS Chicago, Mason Johnson wrote: “One in three women have experienced physical violence by a partner, and the NFL doesnβt care. Β Why would they? Β It doesnβt hurt their stream of money. Β If the NFL did care, it would be actively fighting against domestic abuse even when itβs not in the news cycle.”
But it’s definitely in the news cycle now. Β Which means the question is still valid. Β Our Man on the Edge, Robert Wilder, hit the streets asking: does the NFL care about women?
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