The NFL continued to struggle with crime in 2014. There were several NFL players who faced legal issues off the field while attempting to maintain focus on the field.
Here are the biggest crime stories of 2014.
Ray Rice knocks out his fiancée
The issue of domestic violence in the NFL gained national headlines after a video surfaced of Ray Rice knocking out his fiancee (now wife) Janay Palmer in an elevator. Rice was suspended from the NFL and cut by the Baltimore Ravens. But Rice was reinstated by a U.S. District judge after it was revealed that Roger Goodell attempted to punish Rice twice.
However, Rice has not been signed by an NFL team at press time.
Adrian Peterson arrested for whipping his son
The cultural divide of corporal punishment was brought to the forefront after NFL star Adrian Peterson was arrested and charged with whipping his 5-year-old son. Peterson was able to avoid jail, but he was suspended by the NFL for the entire season.
Carolina Panthers’ Greg Hardy arrested for beating a woman
Greg Hardy was arrested and convicted of assaulting a woman. The woman claimed Hardy threw her in a bath tub, threw her on a sofa full of guns, and threatened to kill the woman. Hardy was eventually removed from the Panthers active roster. He has since appealed the decision.
Arizona Cardinals’ Jonathan Dwyer arrested for punching his wife who refused sex
Running back Jonathan Dwyer was arrested in September after his wife accused him of domestic violence. Reportedly,Dwyer’s wife refused sex and he became upset. Dwyer punched his wife and assaulted their child. Dwyer was deactivated by the Cardinals.
San Francisco 49ers Ray McDonald investigated for sexual assault
After an initial domestic violence case, Ray McDonald of the 49ers was investigated for sexual assault on Dec. 17. A woman told police that she was possibly sexually assaulted by McDonald. McDonald was released from the 49ers days after the investigation surfaced.
