House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, who represents San Francisco, said 49ers defensive end Ray McDonald should not play while he’s being investigated for allegedly hitting his pregnant fiancée.
The Democrat was asked at her weekly press conference on Capitol Hill if McDonald should have been allowed to play in Sunday’s game against the Bears.
“No,” she said.
“Now, our coach says, you know, innocent until proven guilty, due process, all of that. But the fact is, he shouldn’t have played.”
She said the issue of domestic violence is “something that we’ve all been working on for a long time,” invoking the Violence Against Women Act, which recently enjoyed its 20th anniversary.
Pelosi was also asked if NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell should resign amid indications that the league may have known about Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice assaulting his wife in an elevator.
“It’s all about respect and disrespect for women,” she said. “I think it’s appropriate to have an investigation of who knew what and when.”
Clarification: This article has been updated to note that it was McDonald’s fiancée, not wife, whom he allegedly assaulted.
And this is why I love Nancy…
Is this going to have any positive effect on actual violence against women, or is it just posturing for a demographic?
I suppose NFL players can be considered role models, and cracking down on their off-field behavior might be expected to trickle down to the sensibilities of fans regarding violence toward women.
OTOH, when I think of NFL players, I don’t think about what they do off the field. There are a few who are notable for community involvement, and some who are notable for less desirable antics, but usually what they do on the field is how they are defined for me.
I don’t see why NFL players employment should be held hostage in a different way from employment for the rest of us. Most folks don’t get fired over allegations of abuse in their private lives. Why does the NFL get held to a different standard?
Yeah, fuck due process. Sentence first, verdict afterwards.
On the other hand, Goodell should have time to prepare a defense after an investigation is done. Due process definitely called for there.
Oh, and when some bankster blatantly defrauds your company town, they definitely need due process before we call for them to be sat down (because it’s so much harder to replace a greedy moron than an athletic moron).
Funny how the only time a politician thinks it’s safe to do away with due process for rich people is when they’re black athletes.
I deplore what this (likely jackass) is accused of, but give me a fucking break.
Well, they’re not winning with him playing, so the 49ers might as well suspend him with pay.
I love my Rep, Pelosi. But, I respectfully disagree. If he is innocent, then he would’ve been punished for doing nothing. Due process applies to all. The only instances where someone should be pulled off the job is if the crime they’re accused of is related to their job. For example, a police officer being assigned to administrative duty while being investigated for a shooting, or an accountant being suspended while under suspicion of embezzlement.
But, after the crime has been confirmed - then I’d agree with Pelosi and send the guy packing. The NFL has a lot of leverage to offer by taking a firm stand against illegal activity by players.