Ray Rice/NFL Domestic Violence current events
I just want to weigh in on this a bit. I haven't yet seen the video, and I don't need to for the points I'm going to make here.
There are two issues that need to be addressed for the situation.
1) Ray Rice's actions in the elevator.
2) NFL management's response (or lack thereof) to whatever evidence they may have been given.
These are two separate (although obviously related) issues. To anyone who's demanding Goodell's resignation because of domestic violence in the NFL...you're absolutely wrong. You're making him a scapegoat & relieving the perpetrators of guilt over their own actions. Domestic violence is NOT an NFL issue (or a professional sports issue, or a celebrity issue) - it's a societal issue. There's been no evidence presented (relevant to this situation) that it's more common among NFL players, professional athletes, or any other kind of celebrity. And, for the record, it's not limited by gender or to spouse/significant other relationships, either.
There's also been no evidence presented that Goodell or anyone else high up in the NFL has seen the video from inside the elevator. There are claims that they were given the tape, but nothing has been verified yet. If there's no evidence that Goodell had access to the video, then we cannot blame him for not acting on information he DID NOT HAVE. If there's evidence of a culture of shielding him (at his direction,) or any other evidence of him not WANTING to know, then that's a different situation, too.
The fact that Rice & Goodell are celebrities (of sorts) makes this a more difficult situation, and too many people appear to be out for their blood (figuratively) simply because they are public figures. Public outcries attacking the NFL for this need to stop, as do public outcries demanding Goodell be blamed for the mess. Get a grip, people.
What needs to happen in regards to the two separate issues:
1) Prosecute Ray Rice (the human being; not the NFL player/professional athlete/celebrity) based on the evidence in the videos (and whatever other evidence can be found through a standard investigation, including verifying the reliability of witnesses on both sides of the issue.) Do NOT allow it to become any more of a media circus than it already has, and do NOT treat the case differently (either in his favor or against him) because of his chosen career.
2) Investigate how much Goodell & others in the NFL knew, when they knew it, and how much else they should have known BASED ON EVIDENCE, not conjecture, unverified claims, or simply "Well...he should have known." If the investigation shows a coverup (or downplaying the incident, or any other wrongdoing,) release that information and THEN the fans & the public can make up their minds. If the investigation shows any criminal-level of coverup, prosecute the NFL executives FOR THAT, but don't try to blame them for Rice's actions.
Side note: I'm debating whether to open the s***storm that would result from posting this on FB. ;-)