Domestic Violence has to stop. Period.
Aroldis Chapman is in hot water over the latest allegation of domestic violence from a professional athlete. (Photo courtesy USA Today Sports) |
Contributing writer
Forgive me for the next however long it takes you to read this, but I must say my piece. Something that has become increasingly common in the sports world - and utterly disgusting - are reports of athletes committing acts of domestic violence.
It has to stop. Now.
Not this weekend. Not tomorrow.
Now.
The latest case that surfaced is MLB closer Aroldis Chapman, who was traded from the Reds to the Dodgers this week, but the trade was put on hold when a background check revealed Chapman was allegedly involved in a domestic dispute. The Red Sox also looked into acquiring Chapman, but found out about this and backed away.
Whether Chapman is guilty or not, plenty of other cases in recent history are enough to shame the sports world. Enough is enough.
Stop hitting women. Stop bruising and cutting kids. Quit thinking your "Superman" act on the field carries over to the streets or your home. You can be the best athlete in the world, but the moment you touch another human being in that manner, you have become the scum of the earth.
And it doesn't stop with your wife or your kid. Just don't hit or physically harm any human being. Or animal. Gah, the people who hurts dogs, there's a special place in ... I'll stop there.
It's inexcusable, really. Learn to control your anger and your actions. Find a better way to disagree over something. Physically hurting someone, particularly someone smaller and/or weaker than you, is not the answer.
Believe me, I've made mistakes. We all have. I'm not perfect and I don't claim to be. But I can't fathom any moment in time when I would want to hit my partner or a child.
Moral of the story: Think before you act.
Simple, ain't it? End rant.