From Adrian Peterson to the Atlanta Hawks, the Sports World's Bad Week
NFLers and domestic violence cases just one of this week's issues.
— -- It hasn't been a banner week in the sports world.
From the ongoing Ray Rice scandal to the fallout of racially charged comments made by an NBA owner and a general manager, sports fans have spent more time reading about scandals and problems this week than actual results on the field.
Domestic Violence and the NFL
Former Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice's domestic violence case has been in the headlines since February, when he was accused of punching then-fiancee Janay Rice inside an elevator at Revel Casino Hotel in Atlantic City, N.J., knocking her unconscious.
This week alone, video of Rice's punch was released by TMZ Sports and he was subsequently cut by the Ravens. The video caused the NFL to backtrack on Rice's original two-game suspension; he's since been suspended indefinitely.
But as the league begins an independent inquiry into its own investigation of Rice, the calls for NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to resign have gotten louder. Sources told ESPN's "Outside the Lines" that Rice told the commissioner in June that he punched his now-wife in the elevator, which would contradict what Goodell told CBS News on Tuesday, when he said the latest video was "inconsistent" with how Rice described the event.
The spotlight hasn't shifted too far from Rice, but also highlights other NFL players and their domestic violence cases, inclduing Carolina Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy, who's currently appealing a conviction that he assaulted and threatened his girlfriend, and Ray McDonald, a San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle who played last weekend despite an arrest on domestic violence charges a few days before.
Washington Redskins owner Dan Snyder issued a statement Saturday voicing his support of Goodell. Whether that support continues remains to be seen.
Adrian Peterson Indicted on Child Abuse Charge
PR problems for the NFL continued Friday when Minnesota Vikings star running back Adrian Peterson was indicted by a grand jury in Texas.
His attorney said Peterson's conduct "involves using a switch to spank his son." He turned himself in early Saturday morning and quickly posted $15,000 bond.
Peterson's attorney said his client has been cooperating in the case. The Montgomery County District Attorney held a news conference this afternoon but offered no new details about the indictment.
Peterson won't play Sunday in the Vikings game against the New England Patriots, but his future beyond that game is unknown.
Players React to Peterson's Arrest
Peterson Booked on Child Abuse Charge
Atlanta Hawks GM Takes Leave of Absence Over Racial Comments
As the NFL deals with domestic violence cases, the NBA has a second racism scandal on its court.
Atlanta Hawks owner Bruce Levenson has said he will sell his interest in the team after reporting a racially charged email, one he called "inappropriate and offensive."
"I trivialized our fans by making clichéd assumptions about their interests (i.e. hip hop vs. country, white vs. black cheerleaders, etc.) and by stereotyping their perceptions of one another (i.e. that white fans might be afraid of our black fans). By focusing on race, I also sent the unintentional and hurtful message that our white fans are more valuable than our black fans," Levenson wrote in a statement.
Later this week, general manager Danny Ferry took a leave of absence after audio from a conference call with team owners was released. Ferry described veteran forward Luol Deng as someone who "has a little African in him" and could be disruptive in the locker room.
Ferry has said he was "repeating comments that were gathered from numerous sources during background conversations and scouting different players."
Danny Ferry Takes Leave of Absence
Hawks CEO Steve Koonin wrote a letter to fans today, saying in part that the organization "did not do the right thing" to correct its shortcomings.
Sanctions Against Penn St. Lifted
The NCAA this week lifted sanctions levied against Penn State as a result of the Jerry Sandusky molestation case. The move makes Penn State eligible for this year's bowl season and it had all of its scholarships restored.
A report by former U.S. Sen. George Mitchell said the school had made progress toward implementing a new human resources system, "fostering an ethical culture" and improving security at its sports facilities.
Hall of Fame coach Joe Paterno was fired amidst the scandal and it led to criminal cover-up charges against three former university administrators.
Sandusky is serving a lengthy state prison sentence after he was convicted in 2012 of sexual abusing 10 boys.
Penn State Coach Grateful for Bowl Chance
Judge Removes Penn St. Trustees From NCAA Lawsuit
Information from ESPN and The Associated Press was used in this report.
