Opinion: Tyreek Hill and the Culture of Abuse

Yesterday, audio surfaced of Chiefs WR Tyreek Hill, discussing his alleged abusive behavior towards his son. As of this writing, Kansas City barred Hill from team activities, placing him on suspension. Yet, I firmly believe that Hill should never step on another NFL field. Below, I will attempt to make the case.

Team Issues

With the release of the audio, you would think Hill’s release would arrive quickly after. Yet, by suspending him, the Chiefs are trying to buy time. However, their recent history affords them zero leeway in this matter.

In 2012, linebacker Jovan Belcher shot his girlfriend nine times before driving to the team facility and killing himself. Belcher and the victim argued frequently. Yet, this fades from memory because shortly after the murder/suicide, the team cleaned out the front office.

On November 30, 2018, video of then-RB Kareem Hunt kicking a woman became known. Somehow, someone filmed the fight in February. For nine months, the footage went undetected. Subsequently, the video served as the impetus for the Chiefs releasing Hunt, who later signed with Cleveland.

Since 2000, the Kansas City Chiefs players account for nine of the domestic violence/assault cases in the NFL. While below the national average, you have to wonder why the culture exists there and seems to continue.

This week, the Chiefs traded a draft pick to the Seattle Seahawks for DE Frank Clark. In college, Michigan dismissed Clark after his arrest for domestic violence. Clark’s former girlfriend alleged that he punched her.

 

Andy Reid

Whether you want to agree or not, the current state of the lawlessness surrounding the Chiefs should fall directly on his should. In 2015, Oklahoma State dismissed Hill after his arrest for attacking his pregnant girlfriend. The Chiefs and the NFL knew this. Hill slipped to the third round of the draft. After physically assaulting the woman carrying his child, Reid thought Hill deserved a chance. In all honesty, Reid, desperate for talent, overlooked a heinous act in favor of winning. Despite winning nearly 68 percent of his games in Kansas City, Reid sits at just 2-5 in the postseason. Desperate people do desperate things. Drafting a wideout that beats his girlfriend and children, a back that kicks women requires a moral contortion that I cannot fathom.

The Fanbase

For every group of logical, seemingly rational Chief fans, a subset lives. These knuckle-dragging mouthbreathers attack the messenger. These are the people quick to decry the unfairness of the criticism levied at Hill. In addition, they continue to preach about redemption. Personally, no second chance exists for someone that beat his girlfriend in college. Yet, that segment of the fanbase wants to win a championship, so they’ll live with a serial abuser as their star receiver. Yet, the funny part: many would filet anyone that hurts women or children. Just not those that can help them win a Super Bowl

Racial Component

As this is an opinion piece, I can say whatever I feel. With that said, I feel Tyreek Hill is a disgrace to his child, his family, his team, and his color. In America, Black athletes endure enough slings and arrows based on skin color. Moreover, non-athletes endure more because the trappings of wealth and fame can’t shade us. From the outset, athletes and Black people in general are subjected to stereotypes. The abusive man cliché remains one of the most chilling and tough preconceived notion to break. Whereas simply raising my voice can see the police called, others don’t suffer through that.  On the tape, Hill tells his girlfriend that she should be terrified of him. The mother of his child. It’s abhorrent behavior that gives ignorant people ammunition to judge Black men by. The bigots already think we act look alike. So, it’s not a stretch for them to believe that abusive behavior runs through our souls. I can sit here and tell you that not all of are like that. In a world that stacks the proverbial deck anyway, a man like Tyreek Hill makes it harder on his own race.

Parenthood

If you listen to the full eleven minutes, Hill and his girlfriend discuss the other’s parenting skills. It serves as a stark reminder that not everyone should have children. With children, parents need a functional elasticity and overabundance of patience and love to succeed. Kids will act out. How the parent reacts will determine how the kid will treat their children. Without equivocation, Tyreek Hill is an abusive parent that apparently punched his child in the chest to discipline him.

I have a four-year-old daughter with autism that is partially nonverbal. As a result, when she was younger, the inability to speak frustrated her. My daughter would bang her head on the ground, walls, and door. Those days before her therapy, school, and medication, tried me. I was angry, sad, hurt, and upset. Yet, never did I ever punch my daughter. What kind of monster does that? When I look at my kid, I see a future of possibilities and it is my job to guide her with love and direction of purpose. It takes a weak-minded clown to abuse a child. Never let ego overwhelm love for your child.

Child’s Future

Despite growing up in relative wealth, Tyreek Hill’s son could face serious mental health issues down the line. According to DoSomething.org, Hill’s son is thirty percent more likely to commit a violent crime. In addition, the chance of him being diagnosed with a psychological disorder is 80 percent higher. From anxiety to PTSD, Hill’s son could face a mountain of parent-induced conditions. I could not care less of Tyreek Hill’s mental health or frame of mind. My worry, concern, and hope remains with his son.

Resolution

Personally, I firmly believe that Tyreek Hill should never step on an NFL ever again. Playing in the NFL is a privilege. It is one that Hill should never enjoy. Before anyone runs to his defense, claiming that everyone makes mistakes and deserves chances, sit down. Balling up your fist, striking a woman or child is a conscious decision. You cannot accidentally punch someone. If the Chiefs and NFL don’t cut him loose forever, all of their condemnation rings hollow. A little boy was abused by his father. Who gives a damn if he can run a 4.3 40 and catch a pass?