[GRRRRR]

So...while I never support spousal abuse in any form...

What happens if a spouse beats on the other...regardless of which sex is pounding on the other sex, should that person be FIRED from their job at WalMart or McD’s etc?

Does this mean if you get a DUI or other criminal, domestic type crime...you automatically get fired from your livelihood before any criminal prosecution??

I understand how personal behavior can impact your professional life, but what ever happened to due process?

[EDINVA]

Most athletes/celebrities have contracts that include a “morality clause.” It is separate and apart from civil law and “due process.” They waive that when they accept the multi-million dollar contracts and commit ‘immoral’ acts, such as beating one’s wife, killing one’s girlfriend, etc. The entity cutting the multi million dollar checks is entitled not to have its reputation damaged by the said immoral behavior.

[discostu]

Just like every other sports suspension stemming from off field behavior, including recent NBA ownership changes, he’s not in trouble for the incident, he’s in trouble for the bad publicity. If you beat up your wife in your McD’s uniform and somebody records it and slaps it on youtube yeah you’ll probably get fired, not for beating her up, but for associating their logo with spousal abuse. Football players ALWAYS wear the logos, both of their team and the league, they’re defending their logos.

[Chuckster]

Like it or not, sports celebrities are role models.

[Engedi]

I know what you are saying and good questions.

I think the difference is Ray is a professional football player and football players are mentors to many kids; they do signings, fund-raising, Charities, commercials, their names and faces are on advertising. Do we really want Ray’s face on our cereal boxes and tennis shoes ads?

Remember Michael Vick? Same thing.

[Alberta's Child]

If you work any kind of job where your name is associated with your employer, and where you conduct business in a very public manner, then you're held to a different standard than any ordinary Joe.

Professional athletes typically have "morality clauses" in their contracts, which is the legal basis their teams use when they are suspended or fired.

What's interesting in this particular case is that it looks like Ray Rice was punished twice for the same offense, which is not permitted under the collective bargaining agreement between the NFL and the NFL Players Association. His team had every right to cut him and terminate his contract, and the league has every right to suspend him, but I don't think both punishments can be imposed for the same offense. The Ravens made a mistake here that will probably be grounds for a lawsuit by Rice, if he so chooses.