Career News 24/7: The Cynical Girl: Rooting for Ray Lewis is Like Rooting for OJ Simpson

Saturday, January 26, 2013

The Cynical Girl: Rooting for Ray Lewis is Like Rooting for OJ Simpson

Rooting for Ray Lewis is Like Rooting for OJ Simpson

Posted: 25 Jan 2013 03:45 AM PST

ray-lewis-ravens The NFL is a mess. Traumatic brain injuries. Murder-suicides. Guns. Domestic violence. Drug abuse.

It’s not like any of this is new, but it is gross. I used to throw Superbowl parties. This year seems sad. I am so disengaged from the sport. There only party we are having this year is a Puppy Bowl party because I feel that rooting for Ray Lewis is like rooting for OJ Simpson.

Neither were convicted in a criminal court of law.
Both are murderers.
The only difference between Ray Lewis and OJ is that Lewis actually paid a settlement in his civil case; OJ pretended to be broke while making money in Vegas.

You say, “Ray Lewis was never convicted of anything. He entered a plea deal and provided evidence to the state.”

Yeah, he also burned his suit that night (allegedly) and was not incredibly forthcoming with the evidence he did provide to the state (allegedly).

“Ray Lewis was caught up in something that happened with his posse.”

The law is clear: the getaway driver is just as guilty as the bank robber. And there are plenty of young men all around this country who are locked up in the prison-industrial complex because they were at the wrong place at the wrong time. The only difference is that Ray Lewis is wealthy and many people rely on him to pay their bills.

“The Superbowl is bigger than Ray Lewis. This is about a team sport.”

Don’t tell that to the director and cameramen who always pan to Ray on the sideline.

When the camera pans to Ray Lewis, I wonder if he’s thinking about the moment he murdered someone.

— Laurie Ruettimann (@lruettimann) January 21, 2013

Listen, I know that Brendon Ayanbadejo is using the Superbowl to promote marriage equality and anti-bullying efforts. That is awesome. Let’s see if that makes it onto CBS in any meaningful way.

Hmm.

I really do believe that if you root for Ray Lewis and The Ravens to win the Superbowl, you are rooting for a murderer. And it’s not like the 49ers haven’t had their share of controversy, this season.

Ugh.

I think it’s time for the NFL to acknowledge these problems and find real solutions. Fast.