On Wednesday, #NewYorkGiants kicker, #JoshBrown, was suspended one game for a May 2015 incident that broke the #NFL personal conduct policy. The following day (Thursday) Brown gave his explanation, and on Friday, the NFL explained why they were upholding their decision to suspend Brown for one day. However, it is the details of the then-ongoing situation that caused concern.
Brown was arrested and charged with domestic violence May 22 of last year. According to his then-wife, now ex, Molly Brown she was assaulted. In an statement that she gave authorities during the May 2015 investigation, Molly had allegedly been assaulted more than 20 times by her then-husband during the course of their relationship. She also called the police at least 10 times and has previously had a protection order against Josh. The first incident occurred in 2009 when Molly was pregnant.
The NFL handed down a one-day suspension despite its tougher penalties since the #RayRice incident. According to #NFL policy, a first -time offender is suppose to receive a six-game suspension. If he continues, he is to be banned for life. However, Brown negated that sentencing and was handed a extremely light (incredibly lighter than Ray Rice) one-game suspension. (Brown appealed the suspension, but it was upheld.) The NFL issued a statement explaining their stance.
In short, the statement cited lack of corporation from law enforcement. Authorities declined to give the NFL information and/or evidence regarding prior claims. There were no additional charges either.
This is the NFL Statement in its entirety. Via NFL.com
“In May 2015, the NFL was informed by the New York Giants of Josh Brown’s arrest for an incident in his home involving his then wife. We began an investigation into the incident and circumstances surrounding it.
In the course of the League’s investigation, our investigators became aware that his wife had filed a statement with the county court alleging previous altercations between the spouses. However, despite multiple attempts to speak with her about this incident and her previous statements, she declined to speak with us. We understand that there are many reasons that might have affected her decision not to speak with us, but we were limited in our ability to investigate these allegations.
Over the course of the 10-month investigation, we also made numerous requests — as late as this spring — to local law enforcement officers for information on the case and previous allegations. They declined those requests for information.
As a result of these factors, our investigators had insufficient information to corroborate prior allegations. In addition, no criminal charges were brought forward regarding the incident in question or prior allegations. The NFL therefore made a decision based on the evidentiary findings around this one incident as provided to us by the District Attorney.
The NFL made a finding that Mr. Brown had violated the Personal Conduct Policy. We did so based on the evidence of this one incident as presented in the police report, Mr. Brown and his wifeâs statements to police that evening, and his statements in interviews with the NFL.
The NFL Personal Conduct policy allows for discipline to be imposed even when criminal charges are not presented. It further allows for us to consider both aggravating and mitigating factors regarding discipline for domestic violence.
After reviewing the evidence in this one incident, we imposed a one-game suspension for violation of the personal conduct policy.
Mr. Brown and the NFLPA appealed this discipline, but the decision was upheld by a hearing officer.”
Oddly enough, the media was able to attain information regarding the various incidents that the #NFL seemed lost in getting. A legitimate question is why is Brown (who has a history of DV) recieving treatment different than Ray Rice and Greg Hardy? Ray Rice incident (as far as we know) was a one-time occurrence. Do the rules not apply to Brown as well? Where is the scrutiny and “he disgust me ” remarks?
The league needs to be consistent in the enforcement of policies. This select the punishment for the player system is flawed and grossly unfair.
-Niko Rose
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