Unless you read, you wouldn’t know how corrupt Florida State University has become. They have protected their football program at all costs. Campus security has frequently intervened when Seminole players have been involved in criminal and illegal activities such as theft, driving while under the influence, and domestic violence. The Tallahassee police have cooperated with the university and the charges simply disappear, or reduced to a lesser crime.

The most well-known incident involves Tampa Bay Quarterback Jameis Winston. His physical talent is unquestioned, but his morals are dubious. A charge of shoplifting, which was seen on a surveillance camera, resulted in a slap on Winston’s wrist. A far more serious charge of rape was dismissed. Police claimed that they did not have sufficient evidence.

CNN is airing a documentary called “the Hunting Ground.” It was first released at the Sundance Film Festival, and viewing on college campuses was to begin on Sunday. Winston’s attorneys have threatened to file a lawsuit. The film contains the victim of Winston’s alleged attack, Erica Kinsman, describing the reported assault.

“Mr. Winston is apparently in the midst of another PR battle this week due to the release of ‘The Hunting Ground’ on Sunday,” Ms. Kinsman’s attorney John Clune said. “When your lawyers’ letters written on Friday are somehow getting printed in the media on Saturday, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out what’s going on. His latest attack is an attempt to revive his lawyers’ media themes and, as expected, shows no understanding of rape trauma and misrepresents the actual evidence. More importantly, Mr. Winston should get used to the rape allegations against him because film or no film, they aren’t going away.”

Winston led the Florida State Seminoles to a National Championship in January of 2014. He was awarded the Heisman Trophy in 2013. His value to Florida State’s football program is enormous. Was Winston’s alleged crime another cover-up by the university? Will CNN’s documentary bring light to the allegations by Ms. Kinsman?

The NFL hid the truth about domestic violence within the organization for decades. Cameras are everywhere today, and everyone carries one if they have a phone. No longer can law enforcement hide from the truth, and no longer can perpetrators hide their crimes.

When Ray Rice was seen attacking his fiancé Janay Palmer in an elevator, everyone was shocked, except NFL management, coaches, and players. Domestic violence was far too frequent in the league, but no one was allowed to discuss the situation. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell promised to severely punish anyone associated with the league who committed this crime. Words are cheap.

Winston is playing every week and receiving millions of dollars for his efforts on the field. Goodell has ignored previous charges against the young quarterback.

Greg Hardy is playing for the Dallas Cowboys. Charges against him for assaulting a former girlfriend were dismissed when the woman did not appear in court. He was given a 10 game suspension, later reduced to four. Last week pictures of the injuries caused by Hardy were revealed to the public. Outrage directed at both the incident and the fact that he continues to be part of the NFL was universal; universal to all but Dallas Cowboy’s owner Jerry Jones. Jones defended him and continues to do so although Hardy constantly breaks team rules.

Hardy is the best defensive player on the Cowboys, and winning is more important to Jones than criminal actions directed at women.

Domestic violence in the United States is widespread. It is not defined by demographics. It is also the least punished crime in our nation. Possession of a controlled substance is considered far more dangerous than the physical and emotional damage received at the hands of another individual. Children who are related to the victims also suffer emotional damage which is all too often ignored, and untreated.

Winston has not been convicted, but suspicions of intervention by Florida State University continue. Greg Hardy was ordered to stand trial, but without his accuser present, he was exonerated.

It appears to me that nothing has changed in the NFL. The league office continues its refusal to take domestic violence seriously.

Op-Ed

By James Turnage

Source

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