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Domestic Violence has become a hot-button issue in the sports world, beginning with the Ray Rice video. We then saw Greg Hardy miss a whole season, and, pending appeal, he will miss another ten games this campaign after a domestic violence incident. Florida State quarterback De’Andre Johnson has been dismissed from the team after a video was released that showed him punching a woman at a bar. The aforementioned Rice, an above average tailback, has had no interest from any team, simply due to the p.r. hit that would come from signing him.
Despite all of this, a recent domestic violence case is not drawing the sort of public outcry that these others have caused. Ole Miss offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil was arrested for punching his stepfather, after his stepfather shoved Tunsil’s mother. This is a very simple case, Tunsil was defending his mother. That is why it is ridiculous that there is any question as to Tunsil’s eligibility or possible suspension. Unlike other domestic violence cases, this was a scenario in which the athlete was doing the right thing. Coach Hugh Freeze’s statement includes the sentiment that, “Laremy realizes he could have handled it differently”. Really? What would he have done different? In a situation as emotionally raw as someone physically harming his, or anyone’s, mother, it’s surprising that he only went as far as throwing a punch.
In official statements, there is talk of possible suspensions. This seems outrageous, but keep in mind that the investigation is ongoing. College Football has seen two high profile cases recently where initial reports were nowhere near what really took place. Josh Shaw‘s story comes to mind as a story that was at first heroic, and then turned out to be a lie. Shaw claimed he broke his ankles jumping from a second floor balcony to save his drowning nephew, a story that was shortly after discovered to be a lie. There was also the Manti Te’o ordeal. Te’o’s girlfriend reportedly died before a game, which created an inspirational story when Te’o went on to have a great performance that night. As most of you know, there was no girlfriend at all, simply a hoax.
While those surprising turns do take place, the Laremy Tunsil story appears black and white at the moment. If it indeed stays that way, it would be a travesty for the NCAA to send the message, via suspension, that a player can be punished for protecting his mother from a grown man.
