The NFL's domestic violence policy is once again at the forefront of league news, as this week revelations about former Giants kicker Josh Brown's mental, physical, and emotional abuse of his ex-wife came to light with the release of his journals. Brown was suspended for only one game to start the 2016 season despite a league policy that mandates six-game suspensions for domestic violence incidents.
Meanwhile, fines for touchdown celebrations and uniform violations are up across the league. Several people outside the NFL family have criticized the league for its disparate handling of these and other issues, and as CBS Sports NFL Insider Jason La Canfora reported on Friday, other teams are unhappy with how the situation has been handled.
Now 49ers wide receiver Torrey Smith has joined the chorus of criticism, firing off a tweet storm Friday afternoon in response to the news that Brown had been placed on the commissioner exempt list, which still allows him to get paid even while he is not able to play.
He is still getting paid though smh https://t.co/hH94mYOF1J
— Torrey Smith (@TorreySmithWR) October 21, 2016
Celebrating a TD will get you fined but being an abuser can keep the checks coming in 🤔😑
— Torrey Smith (@TorreySmithWR) October 21, 2016
Me tweeting that could get me fined but if I slapped my wife and no one saw it on camera I would be straight smh
— Torrey Smith (@TorreySmithWR) October 21, 2016
Gotta start taking the things that are important serious....and be consistent with the investigation and punishment
— Torrey Smith (@TorreySmithWR) October 21, 2016
It's disrespectful to the good men in the league that handle themselves the right way...you get punished for having fun but JB can get paid
— Torrey Smith (@TorreySmithWR) October 21, 2016
As a person who witnessed DV growing up I don't understand how a man can do it...I may think his actions are a joke but the guy needs help
— Torrey Smith (@TorreySmithWR) October 21, 2016
I hope he gets all of the help he needs while cashing checks every week
— Torrey Smith (@TorreySmithWR) October 21, 2016
No system is perfect but ours clearly needs some changes.....just like our country does
— Torrey Smith (@TorreySmithWR) October 21, 2016
Ok I'm done
— Torrey Smith (@TorreySmithWR) October 21, 2016
Smith is obviously not alone in being critical of the NFL's handling of the Brown case. Ravens wideout Steve Smith said the NFL's "system is broken," while widely respected sports business analyst Andrew Brandt (among many others) astutely drew parallels between the NFL's handling of the Brown case and the Ray Rice domestic violence scandal.