Look at the talent pool they draw from to populate the NFL and the types of women that are attracted to them. Is anyone naive to believe this is an isolated incident? Not only that every one of these dames that gets pissed off at her boyfriend is going to call league officials.

I'm not saying that Ray Rice isn't a scumbag just that there might be dozens of similar incidents within the NFL.

If this had not been on video do you think it would have been reported?

So can we not feign surprise?

WSS

@clevfan4life said:

I guarantee if there was a video of Vick hanging a dog from a tree and beating it...he wouldn't be playing.

Good point...

@taco918 said:

Our species will always value human beings over other animals. It has nothing to do with culture or society.

Was what Vick did horrible? Of course, but he actually paid a huge price. The same can't be said of Rice, well except they both did something horrible.

True... cause we like eat animals... wear them...

Couple thoughts...

There is a "paid the price" element to the stories, but there is also a "repentance" aspect. Had Vick come out of jail saying, "I still believe dog fighting is sport not a crime because man had been given dominion over beasts," he would not be "playing".

But there is also a intent issue...

Vick fought dogs for years... had been around it a good bit of his life. He not only intended to be around it as an adult, he was around it repeatedly over a long period.. he liked it. Despite all of this he has been judged repentant and worthy of a 2nd chance.

Rice? So far we only know of one episode. We know alcohol was a factor. We know what happened was inside him because it came out... it happened. Additionally he seemed unconcerned that such an act did come out of him and seemed unconcerned for his then fiancé's condition. Both appearances are as damning as the act itself.

But we do not know what is the real him. We do not know whether he liked it or was ashamed of it.

He has since spoken repentant words. We do not yet know whether he is truly sorry for the act or simply sorry that act became public.

Ultimately it is the public's perception of his repentance that will determine what, if any, NFL future Ray Rice has.

Our cultural and societal reasoning's for giving Vick a second chance is due to the fact that he was actually punished by law, rightfully went to jail, served his time, and lost everything. Rice won't go to jail like he rightfully should (every single one of us would be in jail right now if we were in that video), will serve his "punishment" by talking it out with a counselor, and gets to remain a multimillionaire with only the loss of potential earnings.

Was what Vick did horrible? Of course, but he actually paid a huge price. The same can't be said of Rice, well except they both did something horrible.

@topdawg31 said:

As much as I hate to say this cause I love animals, but the way this culture/society views animals vs humans.....it may be harder for Rice and possibly newsome to seek re-employment in the NFL in the future. I guarantee if there was a video of Vick hanging a dog from a tree and beating it...he wouldn't be playing. Sad that we're such a monkey species that we need visual stimuli to get a point across to us. Before the 2nd video anybody that was mad at the 2 game suspension was only mad cause other players had gotten more for less. Now that we've seen the visual nobody's talking in terms of what other players have gotten anymore, he's just gone.

@mudfly said:

And while I always like Ozzie, looks like this one could take him down. And Harbaugh, who wanted to do the right thing but pussed out, will also get a lot of flack....

http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/ray-rice-baltimore-ravens-displayed-pattern-of-misinformation-misdirection-report-says-091914?gt1=39002

@osiris said:

Seems like Harbaugh was the only one who tried to have Rice released immediately, so I don't see him getting fired.

Agree Harbaugh is safe... Harbaugh raised cutting Rice twice.

It's not clear to me what Ozzie's role has been in this.

Rep'ing "your guy" to get him the minimum is one thing, but the knowledge and suppression of the tape from inside the elevator is what will be the career killer here. From what I have heard/ read the owner was very active in this effort, but Ozzie's participation is not clear.

@douche-nozzle said:

Shut the fuck up

1) Goodell should be thrown out on his ass for that "favor". Bullshit about "we didn't get it right" as if it was some honest mistake. Horseshit horseshit horseshit.

2) Newsome and the whole Ravens FO should be thrown out of football. And they will be that writing is already on the wall. Something should happen to that owner though. That whole favor bullshit doesn't sit right with me in the slightest. Exactly what kind of favors are we talking about here? Did he promise Goodell a handy? Maybe full oral contact for the two game susp?

@cuwoohio said:

I get the hate for the Ravens, but Modell's dead and buried and the Ravens are just another team now, and no different than the Bengals to me. Pittsburgh, on the other hand is a blood feud that started with birth and grew expotentially in the 70's when their fans started to crawl out from under the rocks the had been cowering under for 30 years. The same fans that think Iron City beer is something you drink instead of using it as rat poison as was intended.

Somehow, when the league realigned, they kept the Ratbirds in our division. So we get reminded of the whole BS (the move) twice a year.

I never ever thought I'd hate a team more than Pittsburgh, but this cements it. Ozzie, you were one of my favorite Browns players ever, and I do understand why you took the career opportunity, but you suck now.

@douche-nozzle said:

The chaos worked to solidify their on field efforts last week and I won't be surprised if they play very well again this week.

No, they were just playing Pittsburgh.