Quote:You know, life happens. For one it was his wife and it happened at home... For another as a couple they've move passed it all... For another, it's not on tape...  not that any of this is an excuse per say, but it's different from hitting some girl you don't know in a crowded bar and having it all on video for all to see.


 

That said, what is it about OU and the violence among players there?

 

I disagree. Just sweeping domestic violence as "life happens" underscores the enormous issues regarding sexual violence in the US. As if it is simply too hard for us as a society to truly look at domestic violence, rape accusations, and other situations. As if it is just too complicated to create a way for the victims to be heard without fear of reprimand and better cared for. As if it too difficult for those accused to receive a fair trial, proper criminal proceedings, and get appropriate treatment they also may need.

 

Also to say that this is just football or I don't care because is my team just perpetuates a society that feels too uncomfortable to deal with these issues honestly and fairly. Sure the NFL and sports have gotten mildly better approaching these issues in the past few years. But it is not enough when consequences hinge on the existence of a live video or guilty verdicts from a criminal system poorly designed to deal with these types of crimes. It creates situations where public perceptions spiral out of control to create villains and assign blame not based on what actually happened. It also allows for people to manipulate the system to ruin others lives like in the Duke lacrosse saga. 

 

Also for the Westbrook situation, what if the exact allegations existed for your business partner? neighbor? physician? wife's physicians? children's teacher or sports coach? your children's best friends parent? Would be you as easily brush it aside then? Would you be able to forget by having a one on one conversation with the person and say he sounds matured now and that whatever happened is behind him? 

 

You could say he is just trying to continue his profession and he should not be prevented from that. But how many professions allow a person to make millions of dollars and immediately vault them into the top 1%. Why hold people who end up becoming heroes and role models to many children to a different standard than we would anyone else.  

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