A United Call To Action

This week new NBA commissioner Adam Silver "fresh look" at the league's domestic violence procedures. His statement came after the immense backlash that the NFL is facing after a string of ill-handled domestic violence issues.

"We're studying everything that's been happening in the NFL. We're working with our players' association. We've been talking for several weeks and we're going to take a fresh look at everything we do," Silver said.

I think that this was a great move by the NBA and a necessary one. Other commissioners and front office executives in other leagues should follow Silver's example, even women's professional leagues. Domestic violence is an issue that can clearly effect everyone.

Sports, professional or not, are supposed to unify people and give them a sense of pride. Without some call to action on this issue, the state of sports as we know it can take a huge hit. Without fans, there are fewer advertisers, sponsors, partners, etc.

I'm curious to see if the NBA, and other leagues, will make public what they have chosen to do to modify domestic violence policies and tolerance. The culture of these leagues has to adapt to these new procedures. Otherwise we won't see change. I would like for Silver, and other executives, to not only make stipulations and consequences more tough and clear, but also offer different avenues of help for those who may be affected by domestic violence whether it may be past, present, or future.

AP Overkill

By now, the news of the charges against Adrian Peterson isn't new. The 2012 NFL MVP has now voluntarily gone on the Vikings exempt list while he handles things with his ongoing child abuse case. This status bars him from all team activities. But I believe one main source is the reason Peterson ultimately had to make this choice: the media.
First of all, I personally feel that one thing we can't do is begin to think we are so important that we can now tell people the "right way" to discipline their children. We are a product of our past. If Peterson feels the best way to discipline his children is through corporal punishment, that is not for any of the public to deem "wrong".
In the same token, a company's brand and image is one of its most valuable assets. Having a player indicted on charges on child neglect and abuse charges, especially after losing a son to abuse last year, isn't a good look for his team or league. The timing couldn't have been worse with all of the other open violent cases in the NFL that unfolded at the same time.Still, I believe Peterson took an unfair hit which frankly came as a result of bad timing.
Whether one agrees with his discipline style or not is neither here nor there. But being caught up in the middle of domestic violence crimes committed my several other players in the league painted Peterson in an uneven light. He was judged and prosectuted by much of America for doing what he has to do as a parent: make decisions. He was grouped with men who committed for more henious acts that he did.
I'm not saying Peterson's situation shouldn't be looked into, but I think the media's coverage and grouping of the case wasn't fair to him and in turn forged conclusions in the public's mind. As a member of the media, I know how powerful our influence can be. That is why I always encourgae the public to find out the truth in all reports and assess it independently. Don't let the news coverage dictate how big of a deal you think it is.
We've beat the Adrian Peterson situation almost to death (no pun intended). Let's let it rest

The throne is NOT set in stone

After preseason camp, UCF head coach George O'Leary came out and announced redshirt freshman Pete DiNovo as the starting quarterback. With not much experience beyond the practice squad, many had questions about how DiNovo would adjust to the role after the mark left by Blake Bortles and the Knights' success last season.
I mean, it's a tough spot to be in. DiNovo wasn't even the front-runner for the starting job heading into summer and then he played his first game with his new role in Ireland! It seemed the throne was Pete's to get comfortable on once his name was announced, but not so fast.
The original front-runner, sophomore Justin Holman, was named the new starting quarterback for the Knights on Thursday as his heroics pulled UCF out a growing hole in its season opener.
To be frank, DiNovo wasn't quite ready to play on that stage. Not to say that he's a bad quarterback, but he didn't have as much game experience. The coaching staff must have agreed because after just one game, not even an entire three quarters, DiNovo was yanked from the number one.
Holman was said to be a "game manager" while the role was still up for grabs. He got the most playing time in the spring game but was beat out for the starting job. Now that he's regained the reigns the question becomes: can he continue?
I would hope he can continue to progress because he showed great signs in the Croke Park Classic. With continued growth, UCF can very remain successful.
But remember Justin, the throne is clearly not ever set in stone.