By Brett Quinn

Special to The Communitarian

In the fall out of the Ray Rice Saga and the handful of other domestic abuse cases involving NFL players that have arisen in the past few months, we have been fed the same statements countless time. We’ve been told this is something that the NFL refuses to tolerate, yet the actions by the league say otherwise.

Commissioner Roger Goodell’s original ruling of suspending Ray Rice for two games was recently upgraded to an indefinite suspension, but the motive behind his decision is questionable. Goodell only decided to increase the suspension when TMZ Sports released a video to the public showing Ray Rice hitting his wife in the face and knocking her unconscious. Public outrage forced Roger Goodell’s hand.

Contrary to what he would like us to think, it was not a decision founded on morals and his desire to “make things right.” Additionally, Goodell needed massive public outcry criticizing his insubstantial two game ban of Rice to even make an official protocol for NFL domestic abuse cases.

Goodell is not alone in his phony actions and statements. The Carolina Panthers allowed Greg Hardy, who was convicted of domestic abuse in the summer, to play for them in week one and only deactivated him after public backlash created a public relations nightmare for them.

The San Fransico 49ers are currently allowing defensive lineman Ray Macdonald to start on their team despite havingchargesofdomesticviolencelevied against him. Commissioner Goodell also allows this.

The Arizona Cardinals displayed good judgment by immediately deactivating

running back Jonathan Dwyer last week as soon as charges surface. It is hard to take that move seriously, however, as a week prior to Dwyer’s arrest, the team signed running back Chris Rainey who has been convicted of both domestic abuse and stalking charges in the past.

Despite all the posturing done by the NFL to appear like they truly care about eradicating domestic violence, there is hardly a single piece of evidence available to show so. Actions speak louder than words, and the NFL’s actions indicate that they do not care about domestic violence; they care only about public perception.