Some great points brought up, and refreshing that such morals as, "do the right thing, actions speak louder than words, treat your women with the same respect you would your mother, and you are what people see, etc.", are still mostly abundant here.
However, and as Hollywood asked, I am more disappointed by this whole thing because I am bitter that this guy was so nonchalant about it and acted as if it was a minor lapse. I am upset the league was more concerned about money and image than about a young lady who had this happen to her. Also, I would be lying if I said I wasn't pissed by the loss and this helps to divert the fact the Steelers were man handled and abundantly out coached.
Nonetheless, Ed Reed for Prez made a great point about how league leadership mishandling this has turned this event viral. Additionally, this could have been done in a way that would have been positive for the Rice family, NFL, and any others that suffer from this type of behavior. Also, the fact it was the Ravens does amplify my personal interest. I am a fan who dislikes the Ravens.
However, the bottom line for me is that this has brought to light the overarching issue that the NFL's moral compass is broken. "Just win baby" used to be the battle cry. I too thought, as long as we were winning, off field issues were their personal matters. That's not the case though and I have no love my heart for a man hitting a woman.
Off field issues are all over instant media and kids follow, favorite, and idolize these events because most of society will marginalize it and make it about the player being a "good dude, great teammate, or someone who was a warrior" that made a mistake.
Then 3-6 weeks later they are out there again and some other issue arises that has redirected our focus and we forget, and again put that player back on the top of the pedestal.
But these athletes are far from the ethical codes of warriors or teammates who face finality. They always get another day. So, consequences of actions means little outside of the wallet. It's my opinion that this does NOT breed the warrior code loyalty.
So, this is truly one my biggest issues with pro sports as a fan. We put these athletes on pedestals due to the connections we have with the games and cities they represent based mostly on the money they are paid. We should have expectations. Those should be greater and go beyond the field of play. I think they do represent us in a way. Their actions impact our game and our cities. We have some level of right to judge them and be let down by their miscues.
Ray did a heinous crime in my opinion. Whether he was a great teammate or super leader in the locker room shouldn't factor towards players dedicating anything towards him. It's the same reaction I had with the Pouncy brothers and the "Free Hernandez" **** they wore in public. They still at the end of the day are employees of the league. They still represent the cities whose colors they wear, and, again my opinion, the fans that cheer for their success.
I get pissed at those who faulter who wear the colors I chose to purchase and wear proudly. I get angry when they embarrass me. However, nothing has yet to challenge my loyalty to my city.
This is just another disappintment for Baltimore, the Ravens fans, and the NFL. As a fan of the NFL I am angered by it. As a Pittsburgh fan I'm really happy Ray Rice wasn't a Steeler. We have our own issues to deal with, but players dedicating anything or putting Rice in a positive light at this point in time is in poor taste. My opinion, as a fan.
**Oops! I almost tripped getting down off my soapbox.
