After the stories of Ray Rice, Adrian Peterson, Greg Hardy, and countless others, the NFL still seems to be ignoring the big problem of domestic violence. Between "punishments" that are far too lenient and being biased to supporting their players, the NFL has really missed a step in regards to solving this problem. The NFL has had some pretty messed up priorities, given what they will pay attention to and invest in versus what they won't, such as:
1. Partially deflated footballs
How long has the NFL gone on about "Deflate-Gate" (oh, how I wish they could have come up with something more clever) and Tom Brady "probably knowing" about partially deflated footballs? Way too long. Look, I believe he knew about it too, but all of the proceedings have gone on for far too long, and it's really time for Roger to move on. The rest of America already has.
2. A new stadium in Los Angeles/relocation
Because this is what the world needs: an old, rich, white guy stroking his ego on a national stage. We're getting enough of that from Donald Trump as it is, so we don't need guys like Robert Kraft, Stan Kroenke, and Jerry Jones doing the same.
3. ALL PINK EVERYTHING
October, as you are all aware, is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
It's also Domestic Violence Awareness month, but you won't know that based on watching the NFL this year.
Not saying that breast cancer awareness is a bad thing. It is extremely worthwhile, research is needed, and diagnostic mammography is important. But the one month of the season where EVERYTHING in the NFL turns pink, that focus in gone. In fact, that focus doesn't even exist in the NFL, with none of the proceeds from gear sales going towards research. What it boils down to is another excuse to churn out a marketing campaign, so that you, the American consumer, can buy and feel like you're making a difference. I'm not going to say the NFL is chock full of misogynists, but there are two big epidemics that happen to women (breast cancer and domestic violence) that seem to be completely neglected.
4. ALL DIGITAL CAMO EVERYTHING
This goes along the same lines as the above point, except there needs to be more that is ACTUALLY given to the United States military. A separate article by Vice Sports noted the NFL gave a donation of $412,500 to the military, which was roughly .03 percent of the NFL's revenue, 6.9 percent of which came from the Department of Defense. I, for one, like the digital camo gear (as well as the Breast Cancer Awareness gear), but if America is really going to pay tribute to the men and women of the Armed Forces, they deserve a little better than a glorified pat on the back. These individuals make insane sacrifices that, frankly, I don't know if I could. The NFL is a billion dollar industry, and can give a little more to those who give a lot more to the country than the NFL does.
Certainly there are a lot more things that can be included on this list, but these are the biggest offenders. The pink gear for Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the digital camo gear for "Salute to Service" are not inherently bad, but the NFL does need to contribute more to the worthwhile aspects of research or service, instead of taking money and never letting it go.
The NFL is still capable of giving fans a satisfying product while working to solve problems of social justice. When we look at things in terms of dollars and cents, it is really easy for us to lose our sense. In a sport where there are many fans who are women, it is time that the NFL communicates that they matter too. Because from what I have seen, they simply do not care about us.
