Yet another NFL player arrested for domestic violence

[MrsAxilla]

(CNN) -- Arizona Cardinals backup running back Jonathan Dwyer was arrested in connection with domestic abuse allegations, Phoenix police said Wednesday night.
The Cardinals deactivated Dwyer after news of the arrest, according to a news release from the team.

CNN's calls to the office of Dwyer's agent, Adisa Bakari, weren't immediately returned.
The announcement from the Phoenix Police Department said two incidents allegedly occurred on consecutive days in late July. They were reported last week.

Detectives interviewed Dwyer and he "admitted to the incidents, however, denied any physical assaults," the police statement said.

Police said he was booked on one count of aggravated assault causing a fracture, one count of aggravated assault involving a minor, two counts of criminal damage, one count of preventing the use of a phone in an emergency, and assault.

The two victims were a 27-year-old woman and an 18-month-old child, police said.
Dwyer is being held at the Maricopa County Jail.

The Cardinals said they became aware of the allegations when contacted by police.
Dwyer, 25, is the fourth NFL player to be in the headlines this week. Two other players, Adrian Peterson of the Minnesota Vikings and Greg Hardy of the Carolina Panthers, took paid leave from their teams to focus on their legal cases.

Peterson has been charged in Texas with child abuse. Hardy has been convicted of misdemeanor assault charges in North Carolina and has been granted the opportunity to have a new trial, this time in front of a jury.

And running back Ray Rice has an appeal with the NFL in connection with his indefinite suspension after a domestic violence incident.

Dwyer is listed as the No. 2 running back for the Cardinals behind Andre Ellington. He is in his fifth NFL season and first with the Cardinals.

Dwyer has 51 yards on 16 carries in two games this year.

CNN's AnneClaire Stapleton and Shane Deitert contributed to this story.

[runforrest]

Okay, I know that domestic violence (sadly) happens many times a day, but seriously, wtf is wrong with these football players? Do they just feel untouchable? I don't think it's because they play a violent game, bc, hello, hockey...you don't hear about those guys beating their wives.

Why can't we stop this shit?

[irishbride2]

Sept 17, 2014 20:52:36 GMT -5 runforrest said:

Okay, I know that domestic violence (sadly) happens many times a day, but seriously, wtf is wrong with these football players? Do they just feel untouchable? I don't think it's because they play a violent game, bc, hello, hockey...you don't hear about those guys beating their wives.

Why can't we stop this shit?

This is naive. There is a difference between the NFL and the NHl in terms of publicity. A quick google of NHL and domestic violence turned up multiple cases. 

[anodyne]

Sept 17, 2014 20:52:36 GMT -5 runforrest said:

Okay, I know that domestic violence (sadly) happens many times a day, but seriously, wtf is wrong with these football players? Do they just feel untouchable? I don't think it's because they play a violent game, bc, hello, hockey...you don't hear about those guys beating their wives.

Why can't we stop this shit?

Of the 4 major leagues, the NFL is actually the only one with a domestic abuse policy, inadequate and inconsistent, but it is at least in place. 

[runforrest]

Well, I stand corrected.

[runforrest]

I'm guessing that his response will be proportionate to the amount of money the NFL stands to lose, since that's really all they care about at the end of the day.

[iammalcolmx]

Do NFL players have a disproportionate percentage of players who do this when compared to society as whole? Or are the stats on par with everyone else? Not defending offenders however I would like to see if this issue is magnified in the NFL or is this a societal issue as a whole? I keep hearing " Those damn NFL players" but should it be " Society really has a problem with domestic violence here ".

[IIOY]

Sept 18, 2014 8:13:19 GMT -5 iammalcolmx said:

Do NFL players have a disproportionate percentage of players who do this when compared to society as whole? Or are the stats on par with everyone else? Not defending offenders however I would like to see if this issue is magnified in the NFL or is this a societal issue as a whole? I keep hearing " Those damn NFL players" but should it be " Society really has a problem with domestic violence here ".

I read a NYT article about this, and compared with the general public, the NFL's arrest rate is lower. The biggest reason for arrest is drunk driving. Second biggest is DV, which IIRC accounts for 28% of NFL player arrests.

The issue with DV arrests, of course, is that DV is under-reported, so I have no clue how meaningful any of this information is.

[karinothing]

The NFL does have a higher amount of folks who have been convicted for crimes than any other professional sport.

[pixy0stix]

Sept 18, 2014 8:45:44 GMT -5 asdfjkl said:

  I feel like if the NFL were in my book club, they'd be saying, "Everyone has arguments.  Why are you trashing your H to your book club?  There's no reason to hang your dirty laundry out for all your girlfriends to see."  KWIM?

This hasn't been supported through the player's responses. They've been mixed, just like in the real world.

[iammalcolmx]

Sept 18, 2014 9:01:50 GMT -5 pixy0stix said:

Sept 18, 2014 8:45:44 GMT -5 asdfjkl said:

  I feel like if the NFL were in my book club, they'd be saying, "Everyone has arguments.  Why are you trashing your H to your book club?  There's no reason to hang your dirty laundry out for all your girlfriends to see."  KWIM?

This hasn't been supported through the player's responses. They've been mixed, just like in the real world.

This is what I have seen as well. Also frankly I think everyone would be surprised at peoples REAL reactions to abuse.

[iammalcolmx]

Sept 18, 2014 9:20:25 GMT -5 asdfjkl said:

Sept 18, 2014 9:11:19 GMT -5 iammalcolmx said:

This is what I have seen as well. Also frankly I think everyone would be surprised at peoples REAL reactions to abuse.

Well, people have different reaction to abuse.  But I've been pretty up close and personal to some of them.  And the NFL, Inc.'s response is antiquated.  It is to the far "old world" end of the spectrum.  I honestly think the reason they can't seem to get a handle on this (and their PR related to it) is because they really don't understand at all what is happening in terms of the majority opinion (so to speak) on DV being fucking abhorrent.  

[pixy0stix]

Sept 18, 2014 9:20:25 GMT -5 asdfjkl said:

Sept 18, 2014 9:11:19 GMT -5 iammalcolmx said:

This is what I have seen as well. Also frankly I think everyone would be surprised at peoples REAL reactions to abuse.

Well, people have different reaction to abuse.  But I've been pretty up close and personal to some of them.  And the NFL, Inc.'s response is antiquated.  It is to the far "old world" end of the spectrum.  I honestly think the reason they can't seem to get a handle on this (and their PR related to it) is because they really don't understand at all what is happening in terms of the majority opinion (so to speak) on DV being fucking abhorrent.  

If only this were true.

[karinothing]

Sept 18, 2014 9:22:01 GMT -5 @littlemoxie said:

Sept 18, 2014 8:45:54 GMT -5 karinothing said:

The NFL does have a higher amount of folks who have been convicted for crimes than any other professional sport.

But is that total or proportionate to size? NFL teams are huge compared to NBA teams - has someone run the percentage with the total number of players in each of the major sports leagues?

Yeah, that I have no idea. I just googled professional sports convictions lol.

[iammalcolmx]

Also the NFL is worried about the opinion of Advertisers. I am sure there is a direct correlation between AP being placed on leave and Radisson suspending their contract with the Vikings.

[pixy0stix]

Sept 18, 2014 9:38:19 GMT -5 asdfjkl said:

Sept 18, 2014 9:25:34 GMT -5 pixy0stix said:

If only this were true.

It clearly IS.  Because if the majority opinion were the DV is some kind of necessary evil, some kind of "oppsie we had a little disagreement", sponsors wouldn't be pulling sponsorship (or threatening it). The NFL wouldn't be in a situation where they found that their "meh" attitude required revision because it was going to threaten their bottom line...  The proof that it is the prevailing opinion that DV is abhorrent is the fact that the NFL, insincere as they are, has had to cave to pressure to treat it like an actual issue.  If that weren't the majority opinion, they would get to do what USA Swimming has done with their statutory rape problem - completely ignore it, pretend it's a none issue, put out statements explaining that they can't have an anti-relationship policy because sometimes coaches and swimmers are actually in love, and then induct their organization's president into the swimming hall of fame.  This contrast is the result of the trial before the "court of public opinion."  

No, SBP it is NOT. The majority of studies in the last couple of years have shown an upswing in awareness of what DV is, how it it committed, etc. Still, it shows that exactly HALF of the population as a whole believe that DV is abhorrent. You can toss your anecdotes around all day, but the numbers do not support your supposition. In this case it's just that those that oppose DV have finally found their voice. The population is still split.

[heyjude]

I'm kinda lost on the nuance of the argument here. But changing subject a little bit, I'm getting the strong sense from my Facebook feed that many people in my life are taking Jezebel seriously and are blaming fans for the the spate of NFL violence and the botched NFL response. And that fans should feel shame of some sort for celebrating NFL's violent on the field and off the field culture. Are you seeing this? What are your thoughts?

[ijack]

Sept 17, 2014 20:52:36 GMT -5 runforrest said:

Okay, I know that domestic violence (sadly) happens many times a day, but seriously, wtf is wrong with these football players? Do they just feel untouchable? I don't think it's because they play a violent game, bc, hello, hockey...you don't hear about those guys beating their wives.

Why can't we stop this shit?

I think they do think they're untouchable and I really hope the recent trend teaches them they aren't (well and I hope society, the league, law, show them they aren't).

[suzyp]

Sept 18, 2014 10:30:59 GMT -5 ijack said:

Sept 17, 2014 20:52:36 GMT -5 runforrest said:

Okay, I know that domestic violence (sadly) happens many times a day, but seriously, wtf is wrong with these football players? Do they just feel untouchable? I don't think it's because they play a violent game, bc, hello, hockey...you don't hear about those guys beating their wives.

Why can't we stop this shit?

I think they do think they're untouchable and I really hope the recent trend teaches them they aren't (well and I hope society, the league, law, show them they aren't).

This is probably part of it, but I also think DV runs much deeper than can I get away with this?

However, this has been an issue with the NFL FOREVER.  Warren Moon apparently used to abuse his wife. I remember having a conversation in college (1993-1997) that if I owned an NFL team, if you were arrested for domestic violence, you would no longer be on my team (I think this was after someone was arrested.)  The person I was talking to laughed and said that I would never have a team then.

I'm happy that something is finally happening, but I hate that there's some belief this is a new issue - far from it.

[suzyp]

Sept 18, 2014 10:29:48 GMT -5 heyjude said:

I'm kinda lost on the nuance of the argument here. But changing subject a little bit, I'm getting the strong sense from my Facebook feed that many people in my life are taking Jezebel seriously and are blaming fans for the the spate of NFL violence and the botched NFL response. And that fans should feel shame of some sort for celebrating NFL's violent on the field and off the field culture. Are you seeing this? What are your thoughts?

I don't think fans should be blamed (although I do cringe when people cheer for really hard hits, but that's an issue of concern for the player's well being).  In some class I took in college (don't remember what exactly since it's been a long time!), DV in football was discussed.  There was a theory that it was hard for players to have a job where they are paid to hit the other team and be violent and then to turn that off when they got home, i.e. they had to completely change the way they reacted to situations. I'm not sure if I agree with that.  But I think the nature of the game is very violent - it's not the fans that created that.  And I think that lately, some fans have been more aware of the long term effects of the hits.

[msmerymac]

Sept 18, 2014 8:13:19 GMT -5 iammalcolmx said:

Do NFL players have a disproportionate percentage of players who do this when compared to society as whole? Or are the stats on par with everyone else? Not defending offenders however I would like to see if this issue is magnified in the NFL or is this a societal issue as a whole? I keep hearing " Those damn NFL players" but should it be " Society really has a problem with domestic violence here ".

Not sure if anyone brought this up, but one stat I saw last week, and I hope I'm remembering this exactly right, was that in the general population, 21% of arrests for violent crimes are DV-related. Among NFL players, 46% of arrests for violent crimes are DV related. 

Which I guess shows that NFL players commit other violent crimes less often.  :? Although I can still think of a few rapists and murderers off the top of my head...

[heyjude]

grantland.com/features/nfl-football-domestic-violence-ray-rice/

It's long but some key points:

Americans watch football for many reasons — for the memory of the ball in their hands, for the sight of a Hail Mary, for the fantasy leagues, for beer and chicken wings, for the adrenaline rush that comes when they see a wide receiver soar for a catch. Football encourages some deep tremor of romance about what it means to be a man — even, it should be said, among the sport’s many female fans. Save for the military — with which it has a symbiotic relationship — the NFL is the biggest and strongest exponent of American masculinity.

And integral to that notion of American masculinity is violence. Football is our culture’s great spectacle of violence, our version of the gladiatorial games of ancient Rome. You can see signs of football’s celebration of amped-up manhood in the pageantry of our own bread and circuses: the military jet flyovers, the Built Ford Tough commercials, the shiny uniforms, the amplified crunching sound of hard hits, the big-knotted ties, and the pregame show special effects that seem like something out of Transformers 12. You can see it in the silver gladiator mask that Terrell Suggs wore during the pregame introductions when the Ravens played the Steelers last Thursday. But those are only symptoms. Get rid of the truck commercials, get rid of the gun salutes, and you’d still have the violence on the field. Get rid of the gladiator mask, and you’d still have Suggs.

There are 1,696 active players in the NFL. Even if, as FiveThirtyEight’s Benjamin Morris found, NFL players are arrested on domestic assault charges at rates that are, relative to income level, “downright extraordinary,” very few of them will ever beat women. Most of them are good guys trying to do a job. Still, the job they do is part of a culture of aggression. Football is a pantomime of war, down to the pseudo-military tactics. But it is not a pantomime of violence. It is actual violence.

I’m not just talking about the injuries that players inflict on each other — the torn ligaments and compound fractures, or the smaller, persistent injuries that lead to chronic pain and pill addictions and make it hard for them just to sit on the floor and play with their kids. I’m not even talking about their head injuries, the repeated blows that are slowly deforming their brains, or the fact that even if no one dies, that doesn’t mean that death isn’t hastened. (Even the league is now admitting that one in three former players will have cognitive problems at “notably younger ages” than the average population. One symptom of CTE happens to be increased aggression.) The real problem is that infliction of pain is romanticized and ritualized. Hitting is the point. Inflicting injury is nominally avoided — but hurting the other team helps. “It’s a bully division,” Arizona’s general manager, Steve Keim, told Grantland’s Robert Mays earlier this year, “so we had to add our number of bullies to our defense.” He meant that as a good thing.
omestic violence is not a football problem; it is a societal problem. One in every four women will be a victim of domestic violence in her lifetime. The he-said, she-said nature makes it hard to gather evidence. Domestic violence is one of the most complex and intractable problems that our legal system faces, and it remains a great taboo: Only one-quarter of physical assaults are reported to the police, and often victims don’t want to prosecute. Entangled personal histories and an understandable desire for privacy can make these cases hard. Sometimes women don’t want to cooperate, believing any punishment would harm them as well. Sometimes women throw punches. Sometimes they just want to move on. It can be hard to know exactly what happened. There usually isn’t a tape.

Domestic violence does not happen on a football field. It happens in bedrooms, cars, parking lots, elevators. Intimate-partner violence and sexual assault are epidemic in the military. They are pervasive in Silicon Valley, on college campuses, in small Alaskan towns. They exist in all countries and in all times. Getting rid of football would do nothing to change this.

And yet there are connections between a culture that sidelines women and disrespects them, a culture that disrespects women and tolerates violence toward them, and a culture that tolerates violence toward them and commits violence toward them. Nearly half — 48 percent — of all arrests for violent crimes among NFL players are arrests for domestic violence.

Men have worried that masculinity was under threat for as long as football has been around. The sport as we know it, after all, began during an era and in a class so nervous about decline that there was a condition, neurasthenia, to describe men’s anxiety. The easiest way to prove you were a man was to adopt an attitude of aggression. Those who were vulnerable or different were, and are, not merely unwelcome. It’s as if they were contagious. It is as if they were dangerous.

Goodell does need to go. As Cris Carter said in his impassioned speech about Adrian Peterson’s alleged abuse of his son, taking a man off the field is what men will respect. It is a show of power, and men respond to power. But getting rid of Goodell won’t change the latent and virulent hostility toward those who don’t conform to the culture’s projection of masculinity, and it won’t change the sport. The violence will still be there. If we take the violence out of football, what’s left?

[heyjude]

TL; DR

We live in a culture that celebrates violence. Football celebrates violence. Whatever the NFL does won't be enough because football is inherently violent and is nothing w/out violence. And there is a connection between football and violence against women. Implied: stop watching football.

[pixy0stix]

Sept 18, 2014 11:01:25 GMT -5 heyjude said:

TL; DR

We live in a culture that celebrates violence. Football celebrates violence. Whatever the NFL does won't be enough because football is inherently violent and is nothing w/out violence. And there is a connection between football and violence against women. Implied: stop watching football.

There are not enough eyerolls in the entire world to address this. There's a connection between drinking and violence against women, should we all stop drinking?

[heyjude]

Sept 18, 2014 11:04:59 GMT -5 pixy0stix said:

Sept 18, 2014 11:01:25 GMT -5 heyjude said:

TL; DR

We live in a culture that celebrates violence. Football celebrates violence. Whatever the NFL does won't be enough because football is inherently violent and is nothing w/out violence. And there is a connection between football and violence against women. Implied: stop watching football.

There are not enough eyerolls in the entire world to address this. There's a connection between drinking and violence against women, should we all stop drinking?

Did you read the whole piece. I would love to hear your perspective!

[heyjude]

Btw, this was sent to me by a man. And I feel I'm getting mansplained on why I should not be a fan of football.

[pixy0stix]

Sept 18, 2014 11:06:03 GMT -5 heyjude said:

Sept 18, 2014 11:04:59 GMT -5 pixy0stix said:

There are not enough eyerolls in the entire world to address this. There's a connection between drinking and violence against women, should we all stop drinking?

Did you read the whole piece. I would love to hear your perspective!

I skimmed it. Here's my perspective: People hate football. They hate it. For whatever reason they just flat out don't like it. So they try to pin things like domestic violence to the NFL. This is their moment to shine! To finally condemn the NFL in a way that people will listen! Except that it falls flat.

Domestic violence happens in all social economic brackets. It happens whether the men watch football or not. It happens whether the men are trained in "violence" or not. Anecdote: The violently physical and emotionally abusive man I grew up with never once watched football. Or boxing. Or any other violent sport. He was just an asshole who had grown up in an abusive household and was taught that women are worth nothing. THAT is the real problem.

It really REALLY bothers me that people are trying to pin this to a particular sport, when it's a whole culture problem. Reducing it all down to: Well the sport is violent, what do you expect? Is missing the ENTIRE POINT of what DV advocates have been trying to educate the populace at large. That it can happen to ANYONE, regardless of their circumstances. So the article really pisses me off.

[pixy0stix]

Sept 18, 2014 11:06:51 GMT -5 heyjude said:

Btw, this was sent to me by a man. And I feel I'm getting mansplained on why I should not be a fan of football.

You should tell him that, and that he is part of the problem.

[compassrose]

Anecdotally, we have a friend who is married to a retired NFL player. For a long time, he was not violent at all. More years in football = escalating violence. According to his doctor, it's due to head injuries lowering impulse control. The doctor told her if most adults have 100% impulse control, he's down to about 30%. And that this is common among NFL players. Sure, the violence of the game may play into the impulse being to hit and hurt, but I think it's lack of control in the brain for the most part.

Fortunately, she is filing for divorce (although that does put her in greater danger in the short term).

[Velar Fricative]

Just chiming in that one reason we may not see so many DV incidents in a league like the NHL is because 3/4 of the league's players are not American. We don't exactly know what's happening back in these players' homes in Russia, Canada (well, maybe Canada), Sweden, etc. And I'm sure issues of underreporting are the same or worse in a lot of other countries.