by David Zizmor

SANTA CLARA–Minority leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) met with the media on Wednesday and said that the San Francisco 49ers linebacker Ray McDonald should not have played last Sunday against the Chicago Bears and nor should he play this coming Sunday in Arizona. McDonald continues to practice with the team regardless of calls by California politicians including former San Francisco Mayor and current Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom for McDonald to sit down until the due process plays out.

McDonald is awaiting charges from the San Jose Police regarding an August 31st arrest accusing the linebacker of being resposible for his girlfriend having bruises on her neck. Pelosi said that the NFL in indefinitely suspending Baltimore Raven Ray Rice was the right thing to do. The NFL Players Union has issued a statement saying that they will defend Rice for his reinstatement because he was already disciplined for domestic violence for two games but now given a indefinite suspension claiming double jeopardy.

Rep Jackie Speier said that the NFL needs to take a stand now and suspend all players that have been charged with domestic violence, “we are told to ignore what happens off the sidelines in disciplinary board rooms or behind elevator doors all for the sport, well I refuse to ignore what is happening.” said Speier.
Speier wants to hold an oversight committee for hearings regarding the NFL’s domestic violence issues.

Pelosi said that she was glad that domestic violence was being addressed by the media particularly after the Rice video made it clear that domestic violence will no longer be tolerated in the NFL anymore, “people are getting a better understanding of what is happening, that disrespect it manifests itself in many ways” Pelosi wouldn’t volunteer whether or not that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell should step down but said that Congress should reconsider the NFL’s anti exempt laws regarding their radio and television rights bargaining. Major sponsors like Budweiser, Nike, Campbell Soups, McDonald’s and Target among others have spoken up against domestic violence but have not withdrawn their sponsorships.

David Zizmor covers the NFL for http://www.sportsradioservice.com