By Ben Troupe
SouthernPigskin.com

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Former NFL tight end Ben Troupe wants to see the league take its punishments more seriously.

What’s going on, football fans? Welcome to the most dangerous blog on the planet, “Troupe Talk”. I must say thank you to all my dedicated followers and readers of my blog. Sit back, relax and enjoy. I will not disappoint.

The NFL has been under fire as of late with all the chaos surrounding domestic violence and child abuse, and how the players seem to be out of control. It seems as if the players cannot stay out of trouble in their personal lives, and the NFL does not have a hold on them and their behavior.

Now, in the situation pertaining to Ray Rice, it was awful and unfortunate. In the case of Greg Hardy, he was convicted and has a trial forthcoming. His actions were unacceptable and should not be tolerated. On top of that, he lied about ever putting his hands on his girlfriend. Ray McDonald supposedly put his hands on his pregnant fiance and was arrested, released on bail and has a trial pending. Adrian Peterson has been indicted on child abuse charges that stem from him disciplining of his son.

Here is the problem with all these cases and these players’ behaviors: This is what the NFL has allowed and this is what the NFL has always turned ablind eye to. Adrian Peterson causing scars to be on his son’s body is unacceptable, but he was disciplining his son. And while I do not condone the bruises, a man should not be told how to discipline his child. While the world has its opinions, that should not filter into people’s lives and especially into their parenting skills.

Let me reinerate that I do not – absolutely, do not – condone any form of abuse, especially child abuse, but I do condone discipline, because children definitely need it.

In terms of all these domestic violence cases, once again I go back to the NFL and its lack of empathy for these women, and the fact that attention is currently being placed on limiting the player’s time away from the field and punishing them as lightly as possible.

Here’s another thing when it has come to the NFL and its conduct policy: It is a joke. The players show you that it is a joke in their behavior. I am not talking about all the players, just the few whocast the negative cloud over the entire league. The notion that one bad apple spoils the bunch is so true with these players who cannot seem to uphold the standard of the NFL.

Back to the players, though. Adrian Peterson has been deactivated and put on the Exempt List, which in simple term means that he cannot play, practice, or participate in anything that has to do with the Vikings, but he still gets paid. Ray Rice has been released by the Ravens and suspended indefinitely by the NFL. Greg Hardy should be suspended, because he has been convicted and has a trial set. Ray McDonald should be suspended, because he has an open court date, and if you have a legal matter that is pending and it is causing a distraction to your team, then you should be kicked off the team until it is handled.

So as you can see, I am not giving the players a pass, because if you find yourself on the wrong side of right and cause yourself to be in a situation involving abuse,then FOOTBALL should be taken away from you. I believe that is the only way players will get the message. Trust me when I say that, and that alone, is the only remedy. Also, I would like to note that it should be suspension without pay, not the other way around.

The NFL, though, is only taking action because it is losing sponsorships, partnerships, and business contracts. The NFL losing its money is the ONLY reason why the NFL did what it has done in terms of punishing these players, and the only reason the NFL cares about any of these situations at all. As much as the public wants to believe that the NFL cares about what has happened to these women and this little boy, they don’t. Think about it for a second: Ray Rice told Roger Goodell that he knocked his fiance unconcious and he still only got two games. Ray McDonald was locked up because of domestic violence because a friend at the partycalled the police. He has started and played in every game. Jim Harbaugh, head coach of the 49ers, even said that McDonald will play until this matter is resolved and they will not be pressured by the public to react. Greg Hardy has been convicted and has a trial date, and the Panthers are trying to decide should he play or not.

Basically, the NFL is great at making a scene and saying what people want to hear, but underneath it all the NFL could care less. It is only because of social media and the constant criticism and pressure from those networks that something has been done. It’s not neccesarally the right thing either, just SOMETHING. Put a band aid on a flesh wound.

Final thought: The NFL is the biggest and greatest sports league in America, yet when it comes to discipline they need help in punishing players for some of the worst offenses they could ever commit. The NFL shows what it cares about and that is the almighty dollar. The situation isno different from a child being allowed to get away with wrongdoing and bad behavior to only have it swept under the rug. That child is not being taught discipline, therefore more problems should be expected. The same can be said about the NFL and policing its players. They are not shown what not to do, only wrist-slapped when they exhibit bad judgement and bad behavior.

So although the NFL has made some critical decisions to look good to the public, keep in mind it is only to keep what they have and not lose money. I mean, if you knew that whatever you did, no matter how bad the behavior or how severe the action, you could keep your job and not face any serious consequences, you are more than likely going to do it, right? My point exactly. So while I blame the players for their actions, I blame the NFL more for lack of action. Perspective.

Thanks for checking out the most dangerous blog on the planet, “Troupe Talk”. Be sure to check back frequently with Southern Pigskin, which is all about the fans. Remember that worry is simply pulling yesterday’s clouds over today’s sunshine. Thank God for the gift of today; that is why it is called the present. Keep God first through infinity and be persistent at being consistent. Be Uncommon. Two fingers.