Speaking for much of Patriots Nation, Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey questioned the priorities of the National Football League a day after it announced a four-game suspension of quarterback Tom Brady, a $1 million fine and the loss of two draft picks for the New England Patriots for the alleged deflating of game balls.
“I sure wish that the NFL would spend about a tenth of the time that’s it’s spending on this on issues of domestic violence and sexual assault,” Healey said Tuesday after a speech to Boston’s business community. “I’m just struck by the fact that somebody like Ray Rice gets a two-game suspension and Tom Brady, over deflated balls, is facing a four-game suspension. It doesn’t add up for me.”
Rice, a running back for the Baltimore Ravens, was caught on camera punching out his then-fianceƩ whom he later married.
A former professional basketball player and self-described “huge” Patriots fan, Healey’s comments echoed much of the sentiment expressed by local fans on social media after news broke Monday.
“I think priorities are not where they need to be when it comes to this particular league,” said Healey, who said domestic violence and sexual assault are “rampant” in the NFL. She said, “Instead we’re talking about air pressure and soft pigskin.”
Speaking to the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, Healey said she wants high school athletes to be educated about domestic violence and sexual assault.
“One of the things I’d like to see happen is for every student athlete in high school to get a training like we used to for drugs and alcohol – to get a training on teen violence, on dating violence and on sexual assault,” Healey said. “I believe that’s really important.”
Healey suggested colleges collaborate with law enforcement to take on sexual assault on campus. The attorney general said campus sexual assault is “complicated,” and officials must balance the need for due process and making victims “feel comfortable coming forward.”
Healey acknowledged the NFL in invested in upholding the rules of the sport while questioning the investigatory efforts spent on the underinflated balls used in a championship game ahead of the Patriots Super Bowl victory.
“It’s just out of line,” Healey said. “Of course integrity of the game is important. I understand that.”