Opinion: America’s NFL Hypocrisy Regarding Davante Adams

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Authorities in Kansas City cited Davante Adams for simple assault. Yet, the hypocritical finger-wagging in the NFL seems worse.

After the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Las Vegas Raiders, Davante Adams left the field. That fact remains indisputable. Also indisputably, Adams pushed a photographer standing in his way. Now, where things veer sideways is not only the interpretation of the video but the reactions of so many in not only NFL circles but pockets of the populace. The sanctimonious nature of people telling on themselves became evidently early after the citation for assault.

The Act Itself

From first blush, Adams went out of his way to shove a cameraman. Upon further review, the cameraman darted in front of the Raiders receiver. Either way, Adams contacted the man with both hands. No one is condoning what Davante Adams did. Or at least, people shouldn’t. Now, the nuance comes in after files charges. According to the case report, the cameraman complains of whiplash, which is possible, headache (less than likely), but a possible concussion. The possible in front of a concussion feels slight. If the cameraman sought medical attention, doctors would be able to clearly tell if there were a concussion.

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Packers Fandom Runs Weird

Now, laughing at a mix of the Raiders’ 1-4 record and Adams’ outbursts are some that cover or root for the Green Bay Packers. That remains their right. However, selective amnesia needs calling out. Labeling Adams as a repeat offender is, in plain terms, wrong. From 2019-2021, Adams won the Tom Mulhern Stand-Up Guy Award, presented by the Pro Football Writers of America’s Green Bay chapter. Adams wanted out of Green Bay. The media and some fans never moved on from that spurning. Instead of condemning the action and moving on, these folks decided to don the red nose, oversized shoes and embrace their inner Ringling Brothers, Barnum, and Bailey. Some of the Packer faithful forget Darren Sharper, Mark Chmura, or their beloved Brett Favre. All committed far worse offenses than a shove. If we’re going to chastise criminality, get it all out in the open, regardless of the jersey worn.

KC Disasterpiece

If any group of people should remain eternally silent about crimes, the Kansas City Chiefs loyalists may need to sit this out. The best receiver your team ever had fell in the draft because he admitted to beating his pregnant girlfriend. Furthermore, he stood under scrutiny for his child’s mysteriously broken arm. On top of that, a former assistant coach of yours decided to become heavily intoxicated and hop behind the wheel. His actions led to a little girl suffering a brain injury. So, as mentioned, condemn Adams, but acting pious and above critique for criminality within your team is a bridge too far. In fact, the Chiefs not only boast the fourth-most arrests since 2000 with forty, but they also possess fourteen in the last decade. Substandard barbecue sauce isn’t the only atrocious occurrence in Kansas City.

Fallacies And Flawed History

Another loud critique heard is how ” Adams embraced the Raiders lifestyle”. What does that even mean? If being on a perennially-underachieving team is a lifestyle, sure, go off. However, if the insinuation that the Raiders of the past thirty-plus years are a clone of those winning teams, that’s wrong. Those Raiders won regularly and broke the law. These Raiders mostly behave and haven’t sniffed the Super Bowl in two decades. The lazy narrative of the old-school Raider way passed on with Al Davis. The Autumn Wind since his demise became a stifled sneeze. Additionally, in the last decade, only eight Raiders players were arrested. So, people’s laziness and reliance on antiquated notions zoom into focus. It’s perfectly fine to keep quiet about things you don’t know about.

At least Davante Adams is ingratiating himself with the #Raiders culture https://t.co/MfAdnTqZ8s

— Zach Brunner (@FantasyFlurry) October 12, 2022

Perspective

Orthopedic surgeons across America begin to fill their schedules for consults after all of the self-righteous hand-wringing. Earlier, I mentioned Brett Favre. For those living under a rock, Favre stands accused of using state welfare funds to build athletic facilities at his alma mater, Southern Miss. Where’s the continued outrage? Citizens of one of the poorest states in America are without millions of dollars, in a scheme executed by rich people including Favre. However, I guess pimping Wranglers and copper knee braces weren’t helping build that stadium. America turned a blind eye because it’s easier to ignore the suffering of others that don’t look like you. If Barry Sanders or Emmitt Smith found themselves in a similar situation, the media would make this the story of the year. You know why.

NFL Culpability

That cameraman will inevitably sue Davante Adams. Money will exchange hands. However, the NFL needs to answer a few questions. First, why is that man allowed to stand in the walkway, so close? Next. what would happen if Adams and the cameraman both fell? What are the policies to ensure player safety? Will these policies and procedures be changed and published?

Overview

In essence, none of this happens if Davante Adams doesn’t push the cameraman. No excuse exists for that. Yet, assault charges filed? Would this happen to the home team? The entire process feels like a great overreach. Fine him, maybe suspend, but charges? In watching the coverage, there is a certain amount of glee regarding the legal process. What does that say about not only the NFL but America as a whole? Stealing millions from the less fortunate is fine, but don’t shove anyone.