Reuben Foster, Kareem Hunt and the NFL's shameful history on domestic violence

photo courtesy: Associated Press

Redskins are receiving a new round of scrutiny on their decision to claim linebacker Reuben Foster. Thursday in an appearance on Good Morning America, Foster’s ex girlfriend now admits that she lied when she recanted her allegations of domestic violence against Foster. Elissa Ennis says there are at least three separate incidents of violence against her by Foster the last of which ended up costing him his career with the 49ers. Ennis says the Redskins decision to claim Foster was like another slap in the face.


Redskins have been on the defensive since making the decision to claim Foster. Senior Vice President of Player Personnel Doug Williams has spoken publicly about Foster, and has also come under fire for comments made about the accusations against him.

Washington seems to court controversy at every turn.  The team lost both their starting and backup quarterback within weeks of each other. After two disastrous performances by Mark Sanchez, the team is relying on Josh Johnson to keep them in playoff contention rather than look at a quarterback like Colin Kaepernick. They gave up the right to claim they didn’t want a “media circus” surrounding a player when they claimed Reuben Foster.

This team has shown where their priorities lie in signing a player like Reuben Foster, but not even trying out a free agent quarterback like Colin Kaepernick. If Washington believes so much in redemption as they claim with Foster, who has been in multiple violations of both the law and the league, and who is currently on the Commissioner’s Exempt list so is unable to practice or play, what is the argument against Kaepernick who has never been in violation of either? Is a player with a history of violence more acceptable to this league than a player who protest social injustice and systemic racism? Is this league willing to turn a blind eye to violence against women?

The NFL has been under heavy scrutiny this week with new allegations about the mishandling of the Kareem Hunt investigation coming to light. The Chiefs reportedly knew of other violent incidents involving the young talent which they informed the league about and were told were being investigated though nothing happened until the video of the incident in February came to light. While Hunt has been reported to have began counseling, Foster was seen as recently as Tuesday at the workout facility at Redskins Park with Derrius Guice. Hunt is at least seeking a path of redemption, while Foster is starting his second chance without losing a paycheck. While the Chiefs and 49ers have shown that they will not tolerate violence against women, the league has been sloppy in its investigation of the Hunt allegations and the Redskins have shown a complete lack of self awareness in the appearance of signing a player recently accused of domestic violence.

The league needs to do as thorough a job of investigating and punishing players for assaults against women as they do players accused of using marijuana or performance enhancing drugs. Josh Gordon was out of football for two seasons for failing a marijuana test. Randy Gregory missed the entire 2017 season for a failed marijuana test. Justin Blackmon was suspended indefintely for his drug use in 2014 and was never reinstated or returned to the NFL. Gordon and Gregory have both admitted to using marijuana to cope with mental health issues, but the league takes a hard line stance against drug use despite 33 states allowing its use for medicinal purposes. 

Meanwhile, Jameis Winston served just a three game suspension for sexually assaulting an Uber driver despite the league's own policy stating a sexual assault warranted a minimum six game suspension. Josh Brown was originally suspended for one game in 2016 after allegations of domestic violence before later being cut by the Giants and suspended six additional games. Terrell Suggs has never once faced a suspension nor even an investigation for repeated accusations of domestic violence by his now ex-wife despite her twice receiving restraining orders against Suggs. 

Why are there such disparagingly different lengths of suspensions and treatment of investigations into those who violate the league's personal conduct policy versus those who violate the league's substance abuse policy? Should violence against women be treated any less harshly than drug use? If marijuana can warrant a one-year suspension, domestic violence should not warrant any less of a punishment. It is tragic when only video evidence can push the league into enforcing their own policies. Players like Hunt and Foster should face more than the Commissioner's Exempt list for their acts of violence. The NFL is continuing to allow themselves to look soft on violence against women despite a promise to change. Domestic violence is a bigger societal issue but as public figures the players must be held to a higher standard and should be punished by the league in such a way that conveys a clear message that violence against women will never be tolerated.