Quit It Fans

Regarding recent events in the NFL:
     First, I absolutely and whole-heartedly believe that the NFL in general, and every person who had any kind of decision making authority specifically, had access and saw the video from inside the elevator.  They are lying to cover up the fact that they already tried to cover up horrific domestic abuse being committed by a money making asset (pronounced "star player").
     Second, even if this tape didn't exist, the punishment just now being handed down is the minimum one should face for committing this act of violence.  Regardless of whether or not Janae Palmer 'came at him', I don't think anyone can honestly say they think an unarmed and untrained person of her size would pose any kind of serious threat to a professional running back.  The fact that it's his significant other makes it even worse.
     However, I don't blame Ray Rice for this mess.  The spousal abuse I absolutely blame him for.  No one over the age of 12 should be unable to prevent themselves from reacting to anger with physical violence.  But the cover up and lack of punishment isn't on him.  Maybe my expectations are low, but I would hardly expect anyone to give up millions of dollars a year because 'it's the right thing to do'.
     Here's where you may be flabbergasted.  I don't blame the NFL for this.  Here's why: we've shown them it makes good fiscal sense to do this.  No matter what a player does, as long as the waters of the issue are muddied enough, and the player is good enough, we've shown them time and again that we will keep throwing money at the organizations.  A player is involved in covering up murder, and goes on to have a career in broadcasting.  A player is arrested for domestic abuse, and no harsh backlash falls on him because no one sees the actual punch, just the unconscious body being dragged out of the elevator.  A player stiffs a hardworking server making a tiny fraction of his salary, and when someone calls him on it, the fans respond with hate mail in support of a 0.03% tip by a multimillionaire.
     This kind of behavior by the organization and by the players is OUR fault.  I guarantee that no one at the NFL gives a rat's ass about the morality of the situation.  They are only concerned with the bottom line.  If they knew that a whiff of criminal behavior would tank ticket and merchandise sales, the code of conduct for players would make Westboro Baptist Church seem liberal and easy going.  I also guarantee that if players stood to lose millions a year for criminal or thuggish behavior, they would be spending their nights at home having a quiet drink with friends.  They do this because we show them with our ratings, our attendance, and our dollars that we are okay with it.

     Let's try something different.  I won't be watching any Ravens games this season.  If they make to the Super Bowl, I won't be watching that.  Maybe we try hurting their bottom line instead of stomping our feet and wagging our fingers while they swipe our card for that jersey.  Join me won't you?