Ever since the infamous 2014 Ray Rice-Janay Palmer domestic incident in which Rice punched his then fiancee Janay Palmer, domestic violence incidents involving professional athletes have become a hot topic. Although Rice has seemingly mended his relationship with Palmer & made amends for his actions, a large number of athletes involved domestic incidents have surfaced since then. Far worse incidents have been brought to the public eye and have been met with a startling lack of action by the involved players perspective leagues. It is common knowledge that domestic abuse has no place in our society. The act is intolerable across all spectrums, but pro athletes are seemingly exempt from the repercussions of this abhorrent act.

Johnny Manziel just had his domestic charges dropped, but he had already ruined his career in other ways.  Cowboys Ezekiel Elliott is another recent NFL domestic violence scandal. This is just within the last month.

The most glaring lack of action stems from the NFL’s blatant disregard for victims of domestic violence. In July of 2015 the NFL reduced then Cowboys defensive end Greg Hardy suspension from a domestic incident in 2014. Hardy initially was suspended ten games from a 2014 incident in which Hardy was accused of choking his then girlfriend along with threatening her life. In an act of blatant misconduct the NFL reduced Hardy’s initial suspension from ten to four games. I am among the many who are extremely disturbed that Hardy was even allowed to play after such a heinous act. Since when did four meaningless NFL games come to outweigh the safety of a human being?

Sadly, by no means is domestic violence an isolated occurrence in pro sports. Recently the brutal reality has reached America’s pastime. In the 2015 season alone two major incidents of domestic violence occurred. All-star Cubs closer Aroldis Chapman was accused of choking his girlfriend and then firing eight rounds into a wall. The charges were later dropped, but it is easy to see that the incident could have turned deadly very quickly. Earlier in 2015 mets shortstop Jose Reyes was accused of slamming his wife into a sliding glass door. Although sustaining somewhat severe injuries Reyes accuser dropped the charges. Where this situation differs is penalty/punishment. Unlike the NFL which seemingly allows abusers to carry on playing, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred was swift in leveling punishment onto the two. Chapman received a 30-game suspension, while Reyes received a 50-game suspension. By no means does leveling punishment right the wrongs committed by the two. If the MLB really wants to stay true to its anti-domestic violence initiative, a zero tolerance policy should be in place.

Professional athletes are role models whether they want to be or not. Any other circumstance involving domestic violence might result in the termination of one’s job. For example, if an employee of the federal government committed any action that mirrors the previously described incidents they would be subjected to a title VII dispute violation. This would most likely result in termination of one’s job.

Anybody with a bit common sense could see the wrongs in the differences domestic violence incidents are handled. It seems as if the more money you have, the less the law applies. That, in itself, is a very scary thought.