Should the DoD terminate its sponsorship of the NFL due to domestic abuse scandals?

2014-09-20T11:00:10-04:00

Sec. Hagel has ordered the DoD to review its sponsorship of the NFL, due to the league marginalizing (lying about evidence, sweeping under the rug) domestic assault situations in recent months. The details of those scenarios are sickening.

The DoD appears to be serious about attacking domestic assault problems in the force (SHARP, etc). To what extent, if at all, do you find it hypocritical for the military to spend millions of dollars per year sponsoring a prominent organization whose leaders' actions to not show that they take domestic abuse seriously? Should the DoD stop sponsoring an organization mired in such damning domestic abuse controversy?

More here: http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/chuck-hagel-nfl-domestic-violence-review

Tag: SGM Matthew Quick 1SG Steven Stankovich SSG Robert Burns SSG V. Michelle Woods SSG Scott Williams Col Private RallyPoint Member SSgt Private RallyPoint Member SFC Mark Merino

Hagel Orders Military To Examine NFL Sponsorship Amid Abuse Scandals

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel asked his staff for information about the relationship between the U.S. military and the National Football League amid multiple ongoing domestic violence scandals, CNN reported on Friday.

Response by 1SG Steven Stankovich made Sep 20 at 2014 11:03 AM

2014-09-20T11:03:45-04:00

This is one of those topics that is hot right now. To blindly ride to the sound of the guns would be inappropriate. We need to gather all of the updates from the field, develop COAs, choose the one that makes the most sense, and then execute. Facts and not public opinion should play a part in this decision. This may be tap dancing around the original question, but I believe that cooler heads need to assess this one...

Response by Capt Brandon Charters made Sep 20 at 2014 11:17 AM

2014-09-20T11:17:38-04:00

I'm surprised the NFL didn't walk away after seeing the last decade of sexual assault reports inside the military.

The goal with a partnership like this is to attract the kind of recruits that will lead and become valuable members of the military. I think there are a lot of parallels between the NFL and the military when it comes to leading teams and executing plans. Not in the way past players have unfortunately said "playing is like serving", but in the pure aspect of leading a team of 11-22 people into a very complicated operation with the end goal of executing flawlessly.

There is a bad trend happening inside the NFL and the DoD needs to evaluate ALL partnerships. Not just the ones that hit the news. NFL players are national role models for our kids and I'm confident that under the right leadership, the NFL can turn things in the right direction. If we keep sensationalizing and tolerating off the field drama, we all play a big part in the fall of a great organization like the NFL. I hope to see this partnership stay and both sides focusing on the internal integrity violations that have plagued their own ranks over the years. There could could be a lot of shared experiences on both sides that would help everyone 'get it right'.

Response by SSG Daniel Deiler made Sep 20 at 2014 11:45 AM

2014-09-20T11:45:39-04:00

There's no reason to jump ship immediately. I think we should wait til all evidence is in and all measures currently being looked at and implemented in the near future will be sufficient. Based on Commisioner Goodell's press conference, I think the right thing will be done and new policies will go into effect that will fix the problems that are currently coming up. To cut all ties would be like the pot calling the kettle black. If you remember, Not too long ago the military had it's own problems with cover ups, lies and atrocities being allowed to happen to those who were assaulted both physically and sexually. It would be absolutely hypocritical.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 20 at 2014 12:11 PM

2014-09-20T12:11:21-04:00

I say 'no', not because I do not feel it is important but that all the sides of this discussion should be considered. Not the least of which is the staggering number of Female on Male assaults.

http://www.thehotline.org/

I wrote a blog on this last night and condemning this problem but being fair and objective. Most of us males chafe at the idea that abuse happens to men and would be hesitant to report it for those very thoughts.

I feel we have a fire that is legitimate and the media sources using this information for it's purposes, in other words to boost ratings. I have worked in the media since the 80s.

Abuse is real but I caution people to realize there is hype here and then there is the problem itself and it is a major problem. Everyone wants to wash their hands or simply blame men. That's the easy part, the part that remains murky is our commitment to stop violence whenever we can.

My hope is that these problems can be addressed before they surface and rather than make this is SHARP kind of thing that we honestly use interventions that nip this in the bud during a child's formative years.

In a kid this sort of thing can color perceptions by diminishing hope and cause for a lot of trust issues. Violence is not justified no matter who does it. I ran interference for my own mom as a kid. Much more I do not feel like discussing here.

http://youtu.be/SGbTg4EpCyE

http://www.ncadv.org/takeaction/DomesticViolenceAwarenessMonth.php

Response by SGT Garret DuPont made Sep 20 at 2014 12:23 PM

2014-09-20T12:23:26-04:00

The Army from my experience, is always lying about evidence, sweeping shit under the rug. Don't be a hypocrite DoD!

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 20 at 2014 12:46 PM

2014-09-20T12:46:34-04:00

CPT Aaron Kletzing. In my opinion, the DoD should continue to work with the NFL just as it now works with its own personnel to require training to put everyone notice that this conduct will not be tolerated . . . put mandatory behavioral standards in the NFL contracts . . . one offense and you are gone forever . . . then seek to root out and terminate bad actors with extreme prejudice. Warmest Regards, Sandy

Response by Maj Walter Kilar made Sep 20 at 2014 1:39 PM

2014-09-20T13:39:46-04:00

The DoD is not perfect, and neither is the NFL. This could be a good opportunity to combine forces, raise awareness, and do something about it.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Sep 20 at 2014 1:41 PM

2014-09-20T13:41:23-04:00

I say no they should keep sponsoring with the following caveat. As what seems to be the norm in similar issues, one player strips the ball loose (the initial bad boy). while the commentators in the booths box are trying analyze what caused the fumble (how'd this happen), the players on the field are trying to recover the ball (circling the wagons). Simultaneously, the refs are throwing flags as penalties are occurring all related to the fumble. (more cases start coming out of the woodwork) All the penalties get declined after the mandatory review of the play. (no one knows what to do as there is no precedent) Until there is probable cause the NFL itself is the root of these problems there's no reason to, IMHO.

Don't get me wrong domestic violence of any kind needs to be dealt with swiftly and strongly, but everyone is jumping on bandwagons with no real conclusions. First all these cases took months before coming to true public view - though the RR "initial" video was public in April.When the woman marries her attacker and women wear the jersey of the perpetrator while others burn them in protest and women's groups fly banners over stadiums what is the take away? I'm personally confused.

Then as usual, everyone demands the resignation of the top dog - execution without trial in the court of public opinion. Personally I haven't seen enough to say its ALL Roger Goodell's fault. The piece I find interestingly missing is Why aren't the teams - owners and organizations - of these players being mentioned? Shouldn't THEY have had all the down-low on their own players before it got to the commissioner's level??? Why was nothing done by the team???

Case in point - The NE Patriots released Aaron Hernandez within 24 hours of his arrest for murder, done probably before the commissioner even heard about the incident. The guy was released to avoid the team and the NFL the bad press. So, what happened in these other cases???

Response by Cpl Chris Rice made Sep 20 at 2014 2:08 PM

2014-09-20T14:08:00-04:00

I don't really think the military should sponsor anybody, regardless of what they are doing. It would be better avoid these situations, where female service members may be deeply offended (To be honest after the Ray Rice video we should all be deeply offended).

Response by LTC Jason Strickland made Sep 20 at 2014 5:13 PM

2014-09-20T17:13:40-04:00

Should you not watch a Tom Cruise movie because you don't agree with Scientology? Should you you boycott Disney theme parks because you're against gay marriage? Should you not patronize Starbuck's because you support the 2nd Amendment?
Whatever your answer is to those questions should give you a little insight on the decision of the DoD to partner with the NFL. Domestic violence is unacceptable and should not be tolerated; however, is what's happening with a very, VERY, small minority of NFL players representative of the NFL as a whole? We're some mistakes made in the handling of these allegations - and actions - by the NFL? Probably. With all that being said, my answer to the question is: it depends.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 20 at 2014 6:12 PM

2014-09-20T18:12:02-04:00

It hurts my head to see government involved with sports in any way. That includes both federal regs and local tax incentives.

Response by SGM Matthew Quick made Sep 20 at 2014 6:36 PM

2014-09-20T18:36:25-04:00

No...you don't turn your back on something because it becomes difficult.

Besides, the the NFL is not the problem (just like the military is not the problem with sexual harassment/assault)...some bad apples are.

The NFL does need to stand up and take appropriate actions and not sway from those actions...it send a bad message.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Sep 20 at 2014 7:42 PM

2014-09-20T19:42:22-04:00

All this could have been avoided by putting your allegiances in the hands of the NHL. Let's Go Flyers!
On a more serious note, it isn't the organizations that are to blame, but the individuals. I have absolutely no problem being judged by my actions, but refuse to be looked down upon because someone who wears a uniform disgraces themselves. If I do something worthy of praise and emulation, then to God be the glory, not me.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 20 at 2014 7:45 PM

2014-09-20T19:45:09-04:00

It would be premature in my opinion. I believe that following the media attention, we'll see them clean up their act. The NFL is great publicity platform for the DoD.

Response by CPT Mike M. made Sep 20 at 2014 8:01 PM

2014-09-20T20:01:40-04:00

To me that'd be mass punishment. The individuals do not represent the organization as a whole. If the NFL were to adopt a similar stance on mass punishment, teams would be suspended when a player conducts himself a manner unbecoming of the ethical views of the NFL as a whole rather than just suspend the player.

Response by SPC David Shaffer made Sep 21 at 2014 2:23 PM

2014-09-21T14:23:47-04:00

I think that any domestic battery whether it is in a sports team, the military, or any other organization should be taken seriously and should be punished to a degree that future offenders will see that they better take other steps than violence to solve their problems.

Response by SSG V. Michelle Woods made Sep 22 at 2014 2:47 AM

2014-09-22T02:47:07-04:00

I honestly don't know enough about the way the NFL has been handling the cases so I'll try to keep my comment general.

Every organization will have their bad apples however if that organization is doing everything it can to show it will not tolerate domestic abuse, then I believe the DoD should continue their sponsorship.

Response by SPC Randy Torgerson made Sep 22 at 2014 11:55 AM

2014-09-22T11:55:19-04:00

Sec. Hagel has ordered the DoD to review its sponsorship of the NFL, due to the league marginalizing (lying about evidence, sweeping under the rug)

Ok this is mixed emotions. First off, I voted to have DoD continue sponsorship of the NFL. For the reason I cut and pasted above.... Lying about evidence, sweeping under the rug..... the government does this everyday. Its hypocritical for them to even suggest they have a problem with it. Why is it that when a civilian acts like they care, acts within the law, they gets punished (attempted prosecution)? But when the civilians don't act the way someone wants them to (by not acting at all), they are punished?

2nd, but to a lessor point, why the hell is the DoD sponsoring the NFL in the first place?

Response by MSG Sean Milhauser made Sep 22 at 2014 11:52 PM

2014-09-22T23:52:49-04:00

I say yes, but not specifically for this reason alone. The Army and other active branches of service pulled its endorsement of NASCAR because they could not measure any return on investment in encouraging recruiting, as one example. I am not certain we're getting a real/measurable ROI on the NFL, either.

However, a case could be made for the NFL to perhaps work with the DOD and discuss and/or adopt some of the policies and programs the DOD is utilizing to prevent and reduce domestic violence, unprofessional conduct or ethics, etc.