The Breaking Point

     This week has not been kind to Roger Goodell. First, a video was leaked of the May Atlantic City incident in which Ravens running back Ray Rice beat his then-fianceé in an elevator. After cries for Goodell's resignation, another crisis arrived in the form of one of the league's biggest superstars, and therefore biggest role models, Vikings star Adrian Peterson. Peterson was indicted for child abuse in Texas, beating what new developments suggest as two four-year old sons with a switch. Lastly, Panthers Pro Bowl defensive end Greg Hardy missed this week while also serving time for domestic violence. The media attention and exposure of Goodell and the NFL's faults as a whole was spread far and wide, but most of the drama was an afterthought this Sunday as football went on as usual. The pressure on Goodell will undoubtedly continue, but the NFL will carry on, fortified in its standing as the most dominant sports league. As the allegations and investigations continue, I think it's important to evaluate our own feelings as a fan: although none of the players caught up in allegations played for the Redskins, my team, and none were on any of my fantasy teams, it would be naive to think I'll never face this situation. At what point do our morals coincide with our allegiance to a team?
     Sports fans are among the most loyal of people, and NFL fans are even more so. I mean, can you think of any other league where fans would go all out with body paint for a team like the Oakland Raiders? As a Redskins fan, I've always maintained that nothing could challenge my commitment and faithfulness to the burgundy and gold. The Snyder era and I were born together, and if I can survive having only 2 playoff wins (with one coming when I was less than a week old), only remembering 3 playoff appearances, and starting everyone from Rex Grossman to John Beck to Patrick Ramsey, then I've always thought that I could stay loyal through anything. However, if a Ray Rice were to be starting on my team, and I was aware of his wrongdoings, would I morally be able to root for the Redskins? Such a complex, intricate, and emotionally testing question requires more than a simple black-and-white answer. I can only speak for myself personally as I try to evaluate the relationship between my moral compass and my Redskins loyalty.
    The core of football is a very violent and physical competition. Rooting for a team entails rooting for players, essentially, to either knock someone else down or not get knocked down: this might already take a toll on the moral compass. As a kid, I remember being happy if a player on the other team got hurt. I know better now, but if my naive, innocent self portrayed this as something to celebrate, it's a testament to the NFL culture, reinforced by things such as the Bountygate scandal. Basically, it's a little subconsciously unscrupulous to root for an NFL team, so football is already testing that boundary.
     Obviously, there's a difference between rooting for a football player and rooting for someone convicted of domestic violence. The violence in football is generally accepted, and players on both side are getting paid, plus football is a form of exercise and a forum for team-building, camaraderie, and communication. Beating a wife or girlfriend, on the other hand, has no conceivable positive aspects, and is definitely not societally acceptable, even on the fringes of taboo. Supporting an alleged domestic violence perpetrator whom one does not personally know is seemingly unheard of. However, the scenario changes when said person plays for your favorite football team, because of the loyalty one shows. Ultimately, is it worth it?
     For me, as someone interested in football's best interests, an avid Redskins fan, and most of all, a woman, I don't think that I could root for a player like Ray Rice. I would likely still root for the Redskins, just not for this particular player. I can imagine that when the Ravens cut Rice, it was a relief for many Ravens fans, who could now root for their team without scruples. At the end of the day, I could not bring myself to support said person. Luckily, this is not a dilemma I have to face at present moment, but with the new investigations into domestic violence cases in the NFL, I may have to. As NFL fans, I think everyone should at least consider this potential debacle, so that they may come to a conclusion for themselves.
    I'm not saying that football itself is immoral: I consider myself as among one of the biggest fans of the game and the league, with its faults. However, domestic violence is definitely something I consider immoral, and I think that it (and players who perpetrate it) have no place tarnishing, morally, legally, and otherwise, the game that I love.