For over 50 years I have been following the NFL but for the last 2 years, I have become more disgusted with its hypocrisy and arrogance. The latest display of such hubris has to do with the Ray Rice situation.
I find it hard to believe that the NFL & the Baltimore Ravens just saw the video which shows Rice cold-cocking his then fiancé and now wife. The NFL is the biggest sports league in North America. To paraphrase Hyman Roth, they're bigger than US Steel. As a result, it would be nothing for the league to ask law enforcement to view the video. Peter King and others reported in the summer that the NFL did see the video. Now King is backtracking. What a shill!!
If the league did not see the video or ask to see the video, shame on the league. This woman was dragged out of that elevator like a sack of potatoes. How does the $44 million dollar Commissioner think she got into that condition?? Goodell should be ashamed of himself. Mr. Law & Order. He was going to correct the problem of violence and lawlessness that threatened the league's image and more importantly its business. What a joke. Before TMZ came out with the video, Goodell & Company were hoping that the commissioner's mea culpa and new harsh penalties would help smooth out the criticism over Rice's 2 game suspension.
And then there are the Ravens. See they too are claiming they were unaware of this video until yesterday. They also said that Rice lied to them because his fiancé attacked him. Really?? Even if that was the case, which it clearly was not, that gave Rice the right to knock her out?? But remember this is an organization where Head Coach John Harbaugh minimized the whole situation. This is an organization that has a statue in front of its stadium of someone involved in double homicide, Ray Lewis. If not for the TMZ video, Rice would be ready to play in week 3. What a joke.
Unfortunately, this will all blow over. Goodell will not be held accountable. Neither will anyone in the Ravens organization. No politician would dare to come out and say that the NFL is out of control. The main stream media certainly doesn't have the guts to demand action be taken to clean the NFL of it violent and lawless behavior. Don't forget this is a league that has had gun violence, a hazing incident in Miami and plenty of vehicular drug & alcohol related events. Back in the late 70s, the NBA was on the verge of losing its popularity as drug use was rampant. As a result, they suffered in attendance, TV ratings and merchandise sales. It forced them to clean up their act. But the NFL hasn't had to worry about that because as long as there is gambling, football pools and fantasy football, people will tune into watch. It's a damn joke and I for one have had it. The NFL could shut down tomorrow and I could careless.
I wonder if anyone has questioned why there is such violent behavior on the part of NFL players off the field. Could it be possible that steroids or other performance enhancing drugs could be the reason?? Hmmm, probably not.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month so maybe the NFL should include that as part of its Breast Cancer Awareness Month activities. Just a thought.
The ownership and management of the New York Yankees should be ashamed of themselves for their pimping of Derek Jeter. Jeter is my favorite Yankee but Sunday's tribute was nothing more than Hal & Company trying to get another sell out because the product on the field can't draw them in anymore. You see, those last 3 games against Baltimore will draw capacity crowds to see The Captain's last games at home. I could see on the last day having a video tribute and some gifts presented. But Sunday was a money grab, just like the commemorative patch on the jersey and hat that the team will wear.
Next season, we will have Bernie Wiiliams Day, Andy Petitte Day and I'm sure a ceremony retiring Jeter's jersey number. When you can't field a playoff team, you have to sell memories.
David Ortiz said that he would not have a farewell tour like Jeter and Mariano Rivera. Guess what Ortiz, you are not even in the same league as either of them. Can't remember Jeter or Rivera showing up an opponent like you have done nor have I heard of them being steroid users as you were. What an ego-maniac. Jerk.
When the Oakland A's acquired Jeff Samardizja, Jason Hammel and Jon Lester and the Tigers got David Price, I believed they would play each other in the ALCS. Forget that now. Two teams to watch: the Angels and the Orioles.
Would love to see the Dodgers win the World Series for Donnie Baseball.
Many have told me that I should be happy that the Browns erased a 27-3 deficit before losing 30-27. Well I'm not happy because like many times last year, the Browns defense could not make a big stop at the end.
Last Friday, self-proclaimed expert and Notre Dame hater, Mark May, predicted a Michigan victory over the Fighting Irish. May droned on about how good the Wolverine offense looked in week 1. Really?? They looked good against Appalachian State and that made them a sure fire pick. May is a damn joke and a disgrace.
Everett Golson looked very good Saturday night against the Wolverines and if he continues to play like that throughout the season he should be a dark horse candidate for the Heismann. The ND defense did a great job containing Devin Gardner who destroyed them last year at Ann Arbor.
Was laughing big time watching Virginia Tech beating the Buckeyes at Columbus. What a nice way to knock the smugness off Urban Meyer's face.
The Toronto Maple Leafs announced two new members to their Legends Row statute that will be outside Air Canada Center: Johnny Bower and Darryl Sittler. Sittler is my all-time favorite Maple Leaf and I'm happy to see him being honored.
Counting down the days for the Leafs training camp to open. I like the moves that they made in the off season but I wish they would have fired Randy Carlyle.
Speaking of firing, I'm not surprised that the Yankees are going to retain Brian Cashman. He should have been fired a year ago but Hal doesn't have the stones to do the right thing. The Boss must be besides himself.
And finally, are there any sportsmen left among the money grubbing owners of the NFL??
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