Even before Ray Rice and the intense backlash over a two game suspension for knocking his wife unconscious, D.C. top lobbyist Jack Burkman was on Capitol Hill pushing legislation to stiffen penalties for players charged with violent crimes because of the moral issues involved.
In addition to lawmakers, Burkman says so far, he has rallied the support of 3.62 million Americans across 41 states demanding moral decency in sports.
Even with reports that the NFL is now considering a new policy to stiffen penalties for domestic violence offenders, Burkman says he wonders whether this effort is real or simply a public relations maneuver by the NFL and Commissioner Roger Goodell, suggesting it may be a political maneuver to gauge public support.
“It has stalking horse written all over it. It’s awfully convenient timing as the regular season is just three weeks away. I’d be shocked if we see anything from the Commissioner’s office about enforcing stricter penalties,” says Burkman. “But even if something does happen, the penalty structure in the NFL is broken even beyond domestic violence. Players accused of serious violent crimes are allowed to play football. What message does that send to our kids?”
Since Goodell was named Commissioner, more than 40 players have faced domestic violence charges, but only one, Rice, was suspended.
Although the Washington Post reports that the new policy has been discussed and is being seriously considered, there’s no guarantee that it will be implemented.
Burkman says the NFL is filled with examples of players who’ve gotten off easy or have been allowed to play despite facing serious violent charges.
“Do we really want our kids to learn that you can be violent and still make millions of dollars and play pro football,” says the ultra-conservative Burkman.
“The NFL wants to sweep this under the rug, like it always has since Goodell took over,” says Burkman. “If it won’t police itself, then I will do everything I can to make sure the U.S. government does.”
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SOURCE: Jack Burkman & Assoc.
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