The NFL has been in the news lately and not just because of what is going on the field. Recently, much of what the world has been talking about has been players conduct off the field, specifically domestic violence. At the forefront of the conversation is the NFL's inconsistent discipline towards players. To resolve those inconsistencies, the NFL changed its policy on domestic violence, beefing up punishment for violators. Most would strongly agree there was need for change in NFL's policy...there was a need for stronger punishments and repercussions for that kind of player misconduct.
I think it is also important for us to realize, technology and the world we live in tends to jump up on it's "social-media soap box" and put people on public trail before anyone has all the facts. I am not saying all of that is unjustified, it is just different than 20 years ago, when TV and radio dominated how a message or movement spread across the country. Now, in just minutes, the world can judge and that's not always the best thing.
Some people blame this new, and yes I did say NEW, "politically correct" movement on society just trying to correct the mistakes previous generations made...some say that it now over-corrects, due to the outlets by which we can spread our message, how fast it travels, how differently it can be interpreted, and how people publicly react. Even by just sitting here, writing this blog, I could affect the world (or just my 7 readers...but you get my point).
One thing that I think the world needs to keep in mind is that we are making it far more difficult for second chances. We are making it more difficult for a NFL team to take a chance on someone who may or may not exhibit what the world wants see off the field. Perhaps that players background puts them at high-risk of committing a violation of some time. Players who could potentially make a mistake may never actually make that mistake, but with harsher penalties looming for those who do, will an NFL team give them a chance? I think the chance of a NFL team taking a chance on a "risky" player is dropping fast...and that could mean missing out on a lot of great players who could potential be role models and provide hope to others who come form shaky backgrounds. I could rattle of hundreds of current and former players, some HOF caliber, that, at the way things are going today, would not be given a chance in the NFL due to fear they would be suspended for bad behavior.
Of course stronger penalties are/were needed. The leagues stance on many, many personal conduct violations need to be re-looked at...but while we are going through all of this, please, let's keep in mind that people make mistakes all of the time...Lord knows, I have...and for us to take chances, follow our hearts or passions, and truly live life to the fullest, we must know that if we make a bad choice we can come back from that bad decision and succeed in life.
Coming Soon...
How the NFL can give a shot to players who could or have made bad decisions.
Hail to the Redskins!
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