Earlier this month, Rice was charged with domestic violence after after a well-publicized incident in which the running back punched his wife in a Las Vegas elevator. After the public release of the video of the incident, Rice was suspended indefinitely by the league and cut from his team. The video showed savagery, violence and anger that shocked the world.
Likewise, Peterson became the subject of criticism when allegations of child abuse surfaced earlier this month.
These two cases are just several in a long list of athletes acting outside the boundaries of the law. Some athletes think they can do whatever they want without consequence. While everyone is fallible, athletes act as role models to millions of fans and should be held accountable.
The eyes of the world have fallen upon the NFL, and the future of sports may depend on its actions and choices. The NFL has to make a tough decision: Does the League choose talent or humanity? A precedent must be set that certain actions will not be tolerated. Rice and Peterson, should they be found guilty of their actions, represent the dark and rabid underside of fame. On gameday when millions of fans are cheering, the players on the field seem like legends – modern day gods reminiscent of Ancient Greece – but off the field, they are only men.
