The NFL learned the hard way two years ago the problems that can arise from failing to employ proper diligence when investigating domestic violence allegations involving former Ravens running back Ray Rice. A current Ravens player has opted to say things that need to be said given the reality that, two years later, the league failed to employ proper diligence when investigation domestic violence allegations involving soon-to-be-former Giants kicker Josh Brown.
“We have valued the amount of air in a ball but yet devalued when a person or persons may have been harmed and fail to put forth necessary actions of energy and time in which far less important things have taken precedent!” Steve Smith said on social media last night. “There have been players with far less [offenses,] some have been banned, cut on the spot. But this person had behavior patterns behind closed doors unknown to everyone while swift and harsh action handed down to many players without half the details or amount of time.
“Our system is broken the NFL needs to stop acting like they care and start showing people they mean what they say. I will continue to speak for the voiceless and for my mother who is a survivor of domestic violence.”
Smith’s more length comments came after he provided a more succinct assessment of Josh Brown’s situation: “You know what ex-wife was my daughter yo ASS would be on IR.” Smith later admitted that his initial response was “a bit extreme [and] for that I apologize.”
Smith’s assessment of the state of the league isn’t extreme. Millions of dollars and thousands of hours were devoted to justifying an unjustified suspension of Tom Brady over air pressure, and the league trotted out the Keystone Cops for a serious case of domestic violence.
Meanwhile, the NFL once again finds itself hunkering down and circling the wagons and waiting for the storm to blow over. One of these days, the storm is going to blow the house down.