INBOX
FOR SEPT. 15, 2014
RAY RICE
Phil Taylor wrote in his essay on Ray Rice (SCORECARD) that Rice "could not have known that when he struck his fiancée, it would one day cost him his job." The NFL needs a code of conduct so strict that Rice certainly would have known he would undoubtedly lose his job.
Bennett Shuldman, Ridgefield, Conn.
I am a survivor of domestic violence, so I read with great interest your story about Rice. The sentence that disturbed me most was "all the players and coaches [who] kept assuring us all through training camp that Rice is a great guy." I am sure that Rice is a great guy when he is around other men. But there is a reason why a batterer is described as having a Jekyll and Hyde personality. My ex-husband was a cheerful and personable guy in public, but he was a monster in private. There is life after domestic violence, but men and women need to understand that it is not a sign of manhood to abuse someone whom they profess to love.
Name Undisclosed
It seems many people presume to know how to handle Rice's situation better than the two adults who are actually involved. None of us knows the truth about the ins and outs of Rice's relationship with his wife; therefore, we should all respect their wishes and leave them alone. If Rice's wife chooses to give him a chance to get it right, then everyone should allow him to do that.
Paul Bruni, Portland, Conn.
Where's the outrage regarding the lack of punishment handed out by the courts for domestic violence? Ray Rice's lawyers were able to negotiate a deal that included no jail time, yet everyone continues to focus solely on the NFL's missteps. Sure, if we want to end domestic abuse in the NFL, then the league needs to enact stiffer penalties. However, the issue also needs to be addressed in society, and to do that we need more awareness and more action from the judicial system.
Jon Luttrell, Morristown, N.J.
COVER
I was eagerly awaiting my Sept. 15 issue of SPORTS ILLUSTRATED, expecting to see Serena Williams on the cover after her win at the U.S. Open. Instead, what I got was a miserable photo of a miserable event. Yes, the topic should have been reported, but not on the cover. Sensational voyeurism is no match for sensational athleticism in a sports magazine.
Carolyn Bohler
Dayton, Ohio
Did anyone at SI do research on what was done to help the victim in this case before deciding to put her image on the cover? The negative publicity makes Janay Palmer Rice a double victim by both ignoring her interests and making her an unwitting political pawn.
Kevin Shelley
Greeley, Colo.
SOCIAL MEDIA
+
NFL executives have said Roger Goodell's job as commissioner is safe. Should it be?
Phillip America Kreisher
His job will be safe until the NFL starts losing money. That's all the league cares about. It's more evidence that the players don't matter and that it's all about the Benjamins.
Chris Bird
Roger Goodell is not paid to be a defender against domestic violence or child abuse. He's paid to be commissioner of a sports league, to make the owners money. He's done a very good job at that.
Alex Sobal
So what if he makes the NFL tons of money? There has to be a replacement candidate out there who is capable of doing the same thing while also having morals and integrity.
Jenney Lynn DeShone
No. Not at all. He's only finally taking this serious because it's been blown up in the media. Which is a good thing. Otherwise people wouldn't have realized how big of a problem it really is.
Ricky Oldroyd
I'd like to think my place of employment would reserve judgment on any case brought against me until due process was afforded me under the Constitution.
Dan Dippel
He wasn't the one who abused someone. Have his decisions been spot-on? No, but he has to consider the legal consequences of his rulings, or else the union and the players would appeal and sue him and the league.
Trenten Ploessl
Safe or not, he has lost the respect of many NFL fans.
Mike Daimler
He should be gone. $40 million a year, and he still has no control. C'mon, man!
Phil Melcher
The domestic violence issues in the NFL are concerning, but it's going to take a village to bring a serious halt to that. Goodell can't do it alone.
Patrick McIntosh
The main problem is that Goodell is too powerful. He is the judge, jury and executioner.
* See page 44 for a more in-depth look at fans' reactions to Goodell and the events involving the NFL over the last few weeks.
Tweets of The Week: The NFL responds to Goodell's press conference
Well that press conference was a big ol' steaming pile of "Don't blame me, we're changing things."
Chris Kluwe @ChrisWarcraft
Watching Roger Goodell's presser made me feel like he's still dancing around the fact that the tape was sent and received. Feel the same way?
Donovan McNabb @donovanjmcnabb
Goodell can say I'm sorry I messed up.... Players have to go through due process.... Hmmmmm.
Terrell Thomas @TerrellThomas24
This dude is up here telling lies. It's unbelievable.
Myles White @M_White03
Can only imagine how upset Sean Payton and the New Orleans Saints must be watching Commissioner's press conference.
Troy Aikman @TroyAikman
What Roger just said is the exact same thing that players say when they make a mistake and plead their case.
Torrey Smith @TorreySmithWR
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ELEVEN ILLUSTRATIONS