1. NFL problems By: Sierra Yoder

2. Problem? There are football players in the NFL who commit crimes. The NFL does not have consistent discipline for punishing a player.

3. My position The NFL should be consistent with how they punish football players. They should not suspend a player indefinitely and then not suspend a different player for committing the same crime.

4. Supporting ideas/ Key points 1.Ray Rice: Suspended 2 games for domestic violence. Video became public then suspended indefinitely and was released from the Ravens. His wife never pressed charges. 2.Ray McDonald: Charged with domestic violence, woman involved pressed charges, not enough evidence. Not suspended at all from the NFL, 49ers, still playing. Charges happened at the beginning of the season, played about 8 games with being charged and his court hearing just happened. 3.The NFL is in the process of changing their domestic violence code of conduct, but claims it can take months since it is hard to come up with a set of rules because each crime is different and it is hard to regulate it when all the circumstances can vary. 4.Why is Ray Rice’s punishment more harsh than Ray McDonald’s when Ray Rice’s now wife never pressed charges and Ray McDonald’s involved woman did press charges?

5. Ray Rice was first suspended for only two games and the police said they delivered the video of the incident to the NFL’s commissioner Roger Goodell. The NFL’s commissioner is the chief executive of the NFL. Once the video went public, Roger Goodell changed Ray Rice’s punishment to indefinite suspension. I feel that Ray Rice should not have been suspended indefinitely.

6. Greg Hardy was arrested on 2 misdemeanor charges after he allegedly assaulted and threatened his ex- girlfriend. He was convicted on July 16, 2014 and was given 18 months probation and 60 day jail sentence (suspension). His sentence is on hold since Nov 17 th trial. He is put on paid leave until case is resolved. (Panthers) Ray Rice had no case because his wife never pressed charges, but is still punished indefinitely. Ray Rice is claiming that he should not be punished twice because of the double jeopardy rule.

7. Aldon Smith: 49ers, arrested at Los Angeles International Airport after he allegedly became belligerent during a security screening and said he had a bomb (2014). Charged with three felony counts of illegal possession of an assault weapon and arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence and marijuana possession (2013). Arresting in Miami on DUI charge (2012). As of right now, he is getting ready to play in the NFL this season. Ray Rice as it looks right now will not ever get to play again.

8. Conclusion In conclusion, Ray Rice should not have been suspended indefinitely while all these other players still get to play. The NFL needs to result in a way to make it fair for each player and each situation. It is not fair that Ray Rice can never play in the NFL again while others committed the same crimes and are still playing.

9. Works Cited http://www.newyorker.com/news/sporting- scene/n-f-l-s-new-domestic-violence-rules http://www.newyorker.com/news/sporting- scene/n-f-l-s-new-domestic-violence-rules http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/nfl- controversy/nfl-domestic-violence-conduct- revamp-complicated-chief-n231276 http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/nfl- controversy/nfl-domestic-violence-conduct- revamp-complicated-chief-n231276 http://www.utsandiego.com/nfl/arrests- database/ http://www.utsandiego.com/nfl/arrests- database/

10. Brief Bio Sierra Yoder (18), resides in Richmond, Virginia. Enjoys watching shows on Netflix, pinning on Pinterest, and watching the Dallas Cowboys win.