The NFL, America’s most watched sports league has come under a lot of heat the last two decades involving criminal charges with alumni and active athletes. Based on data from USA Today, about 1 in 40 NFL players are arrested each year, with 55% offenses being DUIs, domestic violence and drug related charges. This has been a problem circulating in the league for a long time, with the NFL implementing new rules and regulations they set against players including fines and suspensions.
Kansas City Chiefs’ star wide receiver Rashee Rice found himself in an aggravated assault case following a car crash last offseason in Dallas, where he was accused of fleeing the scene and was later detained by Dallas police. Rice is facing eight criminal charges but was still allowed to play this season, as the Dallas Police Department’s investigation hasn’t been formally closed.
NFL executive vice president of communications, public affairs, and policy Jeff Miller said the NFL will monitor any changes in Rice’s case, but Rice will face a penalty next season including a suspension and or fine. Rice has claimed responsibility for the incident and posted on his Instagram saying, “I take full responsibility for my part in this matter and will continue to cooperate with the necessary authorities. I sincerely apologize to everyone impacted in Saturday’s accident.”
This problem in the league most notably started in the early 2000s with 8,454 players active since 2000-2014, and 574 players being arrested during that time according to CNS Maryland. Most notably, a case involving Baltimore Ravens Hall of Fame linebacker Ray Lewis has been an example of controversy involving player accountability. Lewis was involved in a double-murder charge after an altercation at a club, with two dead by stab wounds. The court wasn’t able to provide enough evidence of Lewis’ involvement in the murders, and he was charged with obstruction of justice after taking a plea deal and accepting a one-year probation. According to sportingnews.com, and a report from the New York Post at the time, Lewis was fined $250,000 by the NFL, a mere scrap of Lewis’ $4.5 million rookie contract.
Before every season, the NFL hands out a detailed rulebook and code of conduct that players are required to study. The handbook includes a list of fines that players receive for on field misconduct as well as off field issues that include more serious fines and suspensions. One thing out of public opinion of the League’s rules on suspension is that missing games may not be of importance to players unless their pay is eliminated for that certain week.
Miami Dolphins superstar Tyreek Hill was temporarily detained hours before week one kickoff, and according to a Miami PD press release, Hill was driving recklessly and was pulled over in a routine traffic stop, where Hill was ‘unwilling to comply’ with the Miami officers and was put in handcuffs before he was released. Hill played all four quarters of the game with the Dolphins organization being aware of the incident. Tyreek Hill has had a negative reputation in the league involving discipline and accountability since his domestic violence charges in college, where he was removed from Oklahoma State, and the allegations of child abuse in Miami from Miami PD investigators.
