Let me start out by saying this. My views on this are exactly that. They don’t in any way represent Pittsburgh Sporting News as a whole.
That being said, if you support James Harrison’s return to the Steelers but were bashing Ray Rice a few weeks ago, you’re inconsistent, and you’re a hypocrite.
It’s really as simple as that.
How quick we forget what Harrison did to his girlfriend at the time, Beth Tibbot.
Yes, the case was dropped and Harrison had to undergo anger management, but does that change what he admittedly did?
Is his act less heinous because there isn’t a video attached to it like there was for Rice’s act? Quick answer — no.
So why, friends, if you are outraged by Rice’s antics, or you are ashamed at what Adrian Peterson did to his son — I’m with you, by the way — are you so supportive of Harrison returning?
All day long on social media, it’s been nothing but love for Deebo’s return. Deebo, by the way, was the neighborhood bully in the “Friday” movies, but I digress.
Is it because he’s wearing the black and gold? It must be, right?
I know that if Harrison was wearing the purple and black or orange and black, you’d hate him. You’d taunt him like you did with Ray Lewis throughout his career. But since he’s one of your own, it’s OK.
But how much do you really care about these players? They help your favorite team, and that’s it. How many can say that they actually care about them once they leave your team or hang up their cleats?
Can he help the Steelers’ defense with the injuries suffered by Jarvis Jones and Ryan Shazier? He sure can. Does that make it right? I guess that’s your call.
My personal opinion is that Rice, Peterson, Greg Hardy, Harrison and Ray McDonald — if true — should be out of the league for good.
But that doesn’t make money, does it? The Ravens finally released Rice and the NFL suspended him indefinitely, but that’s just because the footage that they never though you would see was released. The NFL is a business, and as long as you can play, that’s what matters.
Look back at the Steelers’ history. They released Cedrick Wilson and Chris Rainey for domestic issues, but Harrison stays on the team. Do you know why? It’s because he made them better. That goes for every team, too.
As my colleague Brian Gossett pointed out, Donté Stallworth played again in the NFL after killing a guy while driving drunk. Look at the biggest sponsors of the NFL. You’ll never hear them criticize or cite the dangers of alcohol.
And this isn’t something I’m hopping on all of the sudden. You can read what I wrote three years ago on the subject HERE.
So when you’re wearing your No. 92 Harrison jersey on Sunday, and when you’re cheering on the Silverback when he makes a big play, just know that you’re being a hypocrite about the others.
Look, I’m far from perfect. I’ve made mistakes in my past, as has everyone. My thing is that the league and the fans need to show some consistency regarding these issues.
It may be the “cool” thing to get upset and talk about, but be consistent. If you bash Lewis, Rice or Peterson, take a stand against Harrison or even the most praised boxer in the world, Floyd Mayweather, as well. If you feel that they all made mistakes and deserve a second chance like anyone else, feel that way about all of them, not just the ones who wear your favorite team’s jersey.
If not, to be blunt, your opinion holds no weight.
