While the NFL struggles with growing public knowledge of the its domestic violence issues, US Women’s Soccer is alarmingly mute about the domestic violence issues of one of its own. Star goalie Hope Solo was accused of assaulting her nephew and sister and eventually pled guilty to misdemeanor domestic violence charges, but yet she continues to play for the US National team.
A statement released by the US Director of Communications, Neil Buethe, showed the committees lack of regard for the charges against Solo, but no one seems to be bothered that she continues to play.
The @NFL would be ridiculed/criticized to weeks on end if they said this. What gives?! pic.twitter.com/wBfcqwhOkI
— Taylor Twellman (@TaylorTwellman) September 19, 2014
The NFL recent rash of cases coming from Ray Rice, Greg Hardy, Ray MacDonald, Jonathan Dwyer and Adrian Peterson have left the public in outrage, but yet no one seems to care that Solo hasn’t been at least deactivated from her team. Can you imagine what people would say if NFL commissioner Roger Goodell defended Adrian Peterson continuing to play because of the fact that he could be on pace to set NFL rushing records? I’m seriously doubting that would fly with fans or sponsors. In fact, many sponsors are making statements regarding the lack of action against domestic violence taken by the NFL, but not one has said a word about the US Women’s Soccer committee.
Some may want to argue that the NFL is a larger brand than soccer in the US, but lack of exposure shouldn’t make it ok for domestic abusers to get a pass. Every sport needs to hold their players accountable for their actions, regardless of gender or branding. Whether it’s the NFL or the national ping pong team, it’s time for athletes across the board to understand and accept social responsibility.
As far as Hope Solo is concerned, the US National team must do something. I personally don’t want to explain to my daughters why it’s ok for Ray Rice to be ridiculed while Hope Solo gets a pass.
[h/t Washington Post]