Today Bill Simmons was suspended for 3 weeks by ESPN for calling out Roger Goodell for his “fucking bullshit” on a podcast regarding his handling of the Ray Rice situation. It happens to be a podcast I listen to every week and while Simmons can also drive me crazy with his homerism, I must profess that his suspension is “fucking bullshit”.
Without getting into the whole Ray Rice issue again, I think it’s worth pointing out that First Take presenter/host/troll king/relentless moron Stephen A Smith was also suspended back in August 2014 for comments he made that suggested that women were to blame for domestic violence. He then tried to apologise for it and during the process of apologising, accused women again of inciting violence against themselves. A classic mistake! Its the age old ‘women shouldn’t dress provocatively’ defence. For anyone who’s interested in his apology:
“But what about addressing women on how they can help prevent the obvious wrong being done upon them? In no way was I accusing women of being wrong. I was simply saying what that preventive measures always need to be addressed because there’s only but so much that can be done after the fact … once the damage is already done.”
After these words of wisdom, Smith was suspended for 1 week. So, for those counting at home; 3 weeks for calling the commissioner of the NFL a liar, 1 week for accusing women of domestic violence. I’m sure ESPN would cite the 2-3 times in the past where they’ve suspended Simmons for similar infractions but they must realise the symbolism of what they’ve done. We just went through this with Rice’s 2 game ban vs. Josh Gordon’s season ban for marijuana. Simply put, Simmons’ suspension comes down to the USD15bn ESPN-NFL relationship vs. the promotion of women’s issues.
I hope this is the last time I have to address this saga, it has certainly thrown up a lot of#HotTakes but this is getting out of control. Of course, as I write this and check Twitter at the same time – Jeff Taylor of the Charlotte Hornets has been arrested for…domestic abuse! Good job there Jeff. Watch now as Adam Silver and the rest of the NBA come down on him to make a statement. It helps that he’s not a star, plays for the Charlotte née-Bobcats and people barely know who he is. They could run him out of the league and no one would care.
As an Eagles fan, I’m hoping for both teams to somehow lose tonight in the NY Giants @ Washington Football Team game. I’ll be interested to see if Giants can get pressure on Kirk Cousins and to see how he plays. Last week he had all the time in the world to throw the ball all over the field, with the Eagles’ cornerbacks playing about 10 yards off the receivers on every play. Washington might be shaping up to be a good team with Cousins, and he seems to fit Jay Gruden’s system better. Too early to tell at the moment but it unfortunately looks positive for Washington in that regard. I’m picking Washington (-3.5), because they’re at home and these Thursday night games usually mean a blowout. It’ll either be NY by 10 or Washington by 10, not anywhere near the spread. My heart is hoping for a tie and for Chris Baker to beaten up all night by the Giants O-line.
In the mean time, let’s get away from this domestic violence nonsense and support Emma Watson’s HeForShe campaign.
Written By An Englishman 