NFL’s Domestic Violence PSA’s… What Do You Think?

It's been a turbulent season for the NFL and its commisioner, Roger Goodell.  By now, we're familiar with the disturbing stories of two of the game's top running backs, Ray Rice and Adrian Peterson.  There's also been plenty of discussion concerning Goodell and the league's bungled handling of these matters.  And now, as if watching my Bears isn't painful enough, the NFL has taken part in another cringe-worthy presentation.

The NFL has recently taken part in the NO MORE PSA Campaign.  On the NO MORE website, nomore.org, it states: NO MORE is a public awareness and engagement campaign focused on ending domestic violence and sexual assault. Using its signature blue symbol to increase visibility and foster greater dialogue, NO MORE seeks to break social stigma, normalize the conversation around domestic violence and sexual assault, and increase resources to address these urgent issues.

These messages do cause a reaction in me, but I don't think it's the kind of reaction NO MORE is looking for.  It strikes me as disingenuous.  I have to look away, feeling embarassment for Cris Carter, Eli Manning, and the other players highlighted in these PSA's. It feels like bad acting.  It feels like the league is trying to tidy up an ugly string of controversies by saying, "Hey, look at us!  We care.  We've had enough.  We just want to get back to our billion dollar, brain injury-inducing business as fast as possible."  Are they actually troubled by domestic violence and sexual abuse, or are they troubled because they're having to scramble to protect their big money brand?

I sincerely hope that NO MORE is accomplishing their goals of awareness and engagement.  I do get uncomfortable when the PSA's come on my TV, but not because of the troubling subject matter.  I think it's lame watching these guys sigh, stammer, shuffle, and shake their heads in what feels like to me a phony display of emotion.  The NO MORE website argues this, stating: “Speechless” was not written. Rather the content was an unexpected byproduct of the other scripts previously aired. It was designed to shed light on how difficult it is for all of us to talk about domestic violence and sexual assault which remain taboo, hidden and painful subjects. These spots reveal the depth to which we are all affected by these previously unspeakable issues. They urge viewers to start a conversation about domestic and sexual violence with friends and loved ones.

If these are genuine displays of emotion by these current and former NFL players, I apologize.  However, if you need professional athletes and over-hyped actors to tell you that domestic violence and sexual assault are bad things, please seek professional help.