Football season. One of the greatest things about being an American. One of the greatest parts of the fall season.
There are so many glorious things about that time of the year, the hilarious commercials, the rivalries, the apparel, the Super Bowl, and of course, the Super Bowl half-time show. While all of these components of the NFL are great, maybe it's time to talk about the not-so-great things.
After deep consideration of some of the displeasing attributes of the National Football League listed below, I have come to the conclusion that this football season, I will not purchase NFL merchandise or apparel, tune in to any games, and will absolutely not be watching the Super Bowl, regardless of the half-time performer. Thank God Katy Perry has already done it.
1. Former Baltimore Ravens Running Back -Ray Rice
Ray Rice was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in 2008 in the second round. He is ranked second all-time leading rush behind Jamal Lewis, second in rushing attempts and touchdowns, and third in combined touchdowns. He also won Super Bowl XLVII with the Ravens in 2012. Sounds great, right? Now lets get into the not-so-great. In 2014, Rice allegedly hit his now-wife so hard that he knocked her unconscious. An Atlantic City casino security cam shows footage of Rice dragging his then-fiancé, Janey (pictured), off an elevator, following the incident. The video went viral with the elevator doors closing on Janey's lifeless feet, seeming to ensure her unconscious state. Rice was charged with third-degree aggravated assault. What did that mean for the running back? Career-ended, or season suspension for sure some might assume. Rather, the NFL distributed Rice a two-game suspension. Players have served longer for illegal tattoos and illegal fertility drugs. Let me repeat, Rice served a two-game suspension. This promotes the idea that the NFL does not value women or the family of a player's safety, over wins and sales.
2. Former Atlanta Falcons And Philadelphia Eagles Quarterback- Michael Vick
Michael Vick was selected by the Atlanta Falcons as first-overall pick in the 2001 NFL draft. He soon became known for his rushing abilities and was even said to have "transformed the quarterback position." Vick holds the record for most career rushing yards in a season (1,039) and most rushing yards by a quarterback (6,109). Pretty great, right? OK, well lets take a look at what made Vick, like Rice, not-so-great. In August of 2007, Vick pleaded guilty to federal charges in The Bad Newz Kennels dog-fighting investigation. Authorities uncovered the ring at Vick's Virginia residence as well as more than 70 dogs, mostly injured. He admitted the dog-fighting ring had been ongoing since 2001 and to providing most of the money for the gambling side of the operation. The allegations surrounding the investigation included Vick's direct involvement in dog-fighting, high-stakes gambling, and brutal executions of dogs. The maximum sentence the charges carried was five years. Vick served 21 months in federal prison and returned to the NFL in 2009 to play for the Philadelphia Eagles and later retired in 2017. Let me repeat, he served just 21 months of a possible 60-month-long sentence and returned to the NFL to happily retire years later. Again, the NFL clearly neglected the seriousness of this issue and the value of animal rights. Michael Vick should have never been allowed to return to the NFL.
More information of Michael Vick's dogs can be found in the heart-warming and powerful story "The Lost Dogs" by Jim Gorant. The book features an update on the dogs rescued from the ring and the public's fight to save them from euthanasia.
3. Current Dallas Cowboys Running Back -Ezekiel Elliot
Ezekiel Elliot was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys fourth overall in 2016. He led the NFL that year in rushing yards and went on to be named 2016's offensive rookie of the year. While Elliot is an undeniably good player, it seems as though the young running back has had a hard time staying out of trouble . As he has only been in the NFL for a year now, it says a lot that there is a criminal-related timeline of his indecencies on the NFL official page. The timeline begins in July of 2016 when Elliot was accused of abuse on five separate occasions, followed by surveillance of him purchasing marijuana before a preseason game in the same year, a video release of him pulling down a woman's top and exposing her at a St. Patrick's day parade in March of 2017, involvement in an altercation at a restaurant (Elliot not arrested), and speeding charges. While Elliot has been sentenced to multiple game suspensions, he has appealed them all and is currently scheduled to play while a domestic violence case against him is under investigation. It is clear, that the NFL has done everything in their power to protect the Cowboys' rising star despite his several not-so-great correlations he has managed to tie to his name and that of the Cowboys' in his short time with the NFL.
4. Current Free-Agent And Former San Francisco 49ers Quarterback- Colin Kaepernick
Colin Kaepernick was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the second round of the 2011 NFL draft. In 2012, he led his team to their first Super Bowl performance since 1994. In 2013, he helped the 49ers make their way to the NFC championship. Great player, just as those mentioned before him. OK so what's the not-so-great right? Let me start by saying Kaepernick does NOT belong on this list in the same way as the others do.So how is he a reason for my boycotting of the NFL? Well here it goes. Despite Kaepernick's obvious talent and contributions to the 49ers, as of 2017 he remains unsigned. This is due to controversy that began to surround the quarterback in 2016 when he sat instead of standing during the National Anthem. Kaepernick began to kneel to show more respect for veterans, but continued to refuse to stand in protest of oppression of people of color in the United States. Kaepernick explained his decision, "To me this is bigger than football (..). There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder." In 2016, Colin Kaepernick was voted the most disliked player of the year and some fans even boycotted the NFL because of him. Kaepernick remained unsigned through the offseason, during 2017 training camps, and remains a free agent to the date.
Colin Kaepernick is not currently playing in the NFL for refusing to stand for a flag that, to him, doesn't "represent what it's suppose to represent." Yet, men who tortured animals, assaulted their wives, and have numerous indecencies to their name including publicly exposing a woman, have been excused and allowed to play. These men are why I am now refusing to watch any NFL games, buy NFL merchandise or apparel, and to watch the Super Bowl and Super Bowl half-time show. The NFL has promoted the message that crimes can be excused, but peaceful protesting is unacceptable. An organization that believes this is not one I want to associate with. Kaepernick was brave enough to protest the NFL, are you?
