NFL domestic violence policy is a game changer
NFL domestic violence policy is a game changer Patricia Glaser Shea
11:21 p.m. CDT September 6, 2014
There's power in pink socks. I was reminded of that last week during a coaches conference hosted by the YWCA and Metro Nashville Public Schools to engage coaches in helping us reduce violence against women. Nationally recognized violence prevention expert and A Call to Men cofounder Ted Bunch told gathered coaches and school resource officers of his young son who was desperate to wear pink socks. Why? Because his favorite NFL players were wearing them. The NFL, through its support of breast cancer, had made "pink socks" cool for young boys. It happened overnight (or more likely, on a Sunday afternoon.) The league enjoys one of the most influential platforms in our nation. An AP poll this year found that nearly half of all Americans are profootball fans. And with that power comes an extraordinary responsibility. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell recently said, "The NFL is held to a higher standard and properly so." (Photo: Submitted)
On Aug. 28, the commissioner made headlines when he said he "didn't get it right on domestic violence." Nashville and the nation took notice. New, stiffer penalties were announced for players and personnel who offended. "DV and sexual assault are wrong. They are illegal. They have no place in the NFL." This statement by Goodell may begin to unravel a culture that has not only turned a blind eye but actually supported violence against women by its silence. Goodell sent a clear message to his players, and hopefully all who idolize them. For too long, society has given males with excessive athletic talent a "free pass" when it comes to bad behavior. Regardless of their actions, bad boys have been allowed to play football, and we have gone to watch them. But the NFL's new policy — and Goodell's comments — may begin to change that dynamic. Maybe now, bad boys will be expected to be good men before we will adore them as athletes. More encouraging to the YWCA than suspensions and lifetime bans are Goodell's intentions to expand gender violence education and promote programs that develop character. A few days ago, the YWCA was contacted by the commissioner's office. The league is identifying community partners, like the YWCA, across its 32 franchise cities. And Nashville is ready to lead. You see, we have already started the work. Seventeen months ago, the YWCA launched its Engaging Men Initiative. Championed by our mayor and chief of police, we invited men to be part of the solution. Our first target: coaches. In April, with the support of Vanderbilt athletics and the Ohio Valley Conference, the YWCA held our first annual Call to Coaches. More than 300 coaches gathered to discuss what could be done to change the culture in sports that demeans and belittles women. And less than two weeks ago, 200 MNPS high school and middle school coaches heard that same message. Coaches are critical to this change process because of their influence. Words and behaviors allowed in locker rooms and on the playing fields impact and predict behavior. Coaches can change the conversations. If all coaches — by example and through expectations — held athletes to a higher standard, the current culture that supports violence will fade. Over time, we will see a reduction in incidents of violence, not just by a few athletes like Ray Rice, but also by those who emulate athletes' behaviors. And we won't even need to change the color of our socks. Patricia Glaser Shea is president and CEO of the YWCA of Nashville & Middle Tennessee. Read or Share this story: http://tnne.ws/1odhceV
11:21 p.m. CDT September 6, 2014
There's power in pink socks. I was reminded of that last week during a coaches conference hosted by the YWCA and Metro Nashville Public Schools to engage coaches in helping us reduce violence against women. Nationally recognized violence prevention expert and A Call to Men cofounder Ted Bunch told gathered coaches and school resource officers of his young son who was desperate to wear pink socks. Why? Because his favorite NFL players were wearing them. The NFL, through its support of breast cancer, had made "pink socks" cool for young boys. It happened overnight (or more likely, on a Sunday afternoon.) The league enjoys one of the most influential platforms in our nation. An AP poll this year found that nearly half of all Americans are profootball fans. And with that power comes an extraordinary responsibility. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell recently said, "The NFL is held to a higher standard and properly so." (Photo: Submitted)
On Aug. 28, the commissioner made headlines when he said he "didn't get it right on domestic violence." Nashville and the nation took notice. New, stiffer penalties were announced for players and personnel who offended. "DV and sexual assault are wrong. They are illegal. They have no place in the NFL." This statement by Goodell may begin to unravel a culture that has not only turned a blind eye but actually supported violence against women by its silence. Goodell sent a clear message to his players, and hopefully all who idolize them. For too long, society has given males with excessive athletic talent a "free pass" when it comes to bad behavior. Regardless of their actions, bad boys have been allowed to play football, and we have gone to watch them. But the NFL's new policy — and Goodell's comments — may begin to change that dynamic. Maybe now, bad boys will be expected to be good men before we will adore them as athletes. More encouraging to the YWCA than suspensions and lifetime bans are Goodell's intentions to expand gender violence education and promote programs that develop character. A few days ago, the YWCA was contacted by the commissioner's office. The league is identifying community partners, like the YWCA, across its 32 franchise cities. And Nashville is ready to lead. You see, we have already started the work. Seventeen months ago, the YWCA launched its Engaging Men Initiative. Championed by our mayor and chief of police, we invited men to be part of the solution. Our first target: coaches. In April, with the support of Vanderbilt athletics and the Ohio Valley Conference, the YWCA held our first annual Call to Coaches. More than 300 coaches gathered to discuss what could be done to change the culture in sports that demeans and belittles women. And less than two weeks ago, 200 MNPS high school and middle school coaches heard that same message. Coaches are critical to this change process because of their influence. Words and behaviors allowed in locker rooms and on the playing fields impact and predict behavior. Coaches can change the conversations. If all coaches — by example and through expectations — held athletes to a higher standard, the current culture that supports violence will fade. Over time, we will see a reduction in incidents of violence, not just by a few athletes like Ray Rice, but also by those who emulate athletes' behaviors. And we won't even need to change the color of our socks. Patricia Glaser Shea is president and CEO of the YWCA of Nashville & Middle Tennessee. Read or Share this story: http://tnne.ws/1odhceV
