Football Players and Domestic Violence

Domestic violence is a significant issue in the football world. According to a report from the US Department of Justice in 2022, one in every three women has experienced physical acts of violence by an intimate partner at some point in their lives. The NFL, unfortunately, is no exception.  

There have been many football players throughout history who have been arrested for violent behavior against their spouses or girlfriends. In 2021 alone, several prominent players were arrested and charged with assault and battery related to domestic abuse incidents. Among them are ex-Cincinnati Bengals player Vontaze Burfict and New York Jets running back Chris Johnson, both of whom received jail time for their respective charges.  

Unfortunately, this pattern shows no sign of slowing down. During January 2022, NFL veteran LeSean McCoy was arrested for an alleged domestic violence incident involving his ex-girlfriend, Delicia Cordon. If convicted, he could face up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.  

Domestic violence is not limited to physical assaults alone. Emotional abuse or manipulation can also be considered a form of domestic violence and can have grave consequences for the victim. In 2022, Dallas Cowboys player Ezekiel Elliott was suspended by the NFL after allegations surfaced that he had physically abused his former girlfriend, Tiffany Thompson. In addition to being suspended from playing football, Elliott was also fined $13 million and sentenced to six months of probation.  

These troubling cases make it clear that domestic violence is still a major problem in the NFL. As a result, the league has implemented new rules and regulations to try and prevent further incidents of this nature from occurring. This includes requiring players to attend education programs on topics such as anger management and respect for female partners. While these measures are helpful, they alone are not enough. It's up to all of us- coaches, administrators, teammates, and fans- to ensure that these cases become increasingly rare going forward.  

Only by working together can we create an environment where these kinds of crimes are no longer tolerated or accepted by football players or anyone else. No one should have to live in fear because of someone else’s anger or abuse towards them.