If not for TMZ obtaining a video of Ray Rice punching his then-fiancee in the face in an elevator, Rice would be returning to the field this Sunday.
Given only a video in which Rice drags an unconscious body from the elevator, NFL commissioner levied only a two-game suspension of Rice.
If not for severe backlash from sponsors and the public after announcing that Adrian Peterson would play this week, Peterson would be returning to the field this Sunday.
Given only photos displaying numerous, large, open wounds on the body of his 4-year-old son, and Peterson's admission to police that he beat his child, the Vikings would have levied no further penalties.
The NFL lacks decency. We knew that before, and that notion has been reaffirmed the last few weeks.
The NFL and the Vikings reacted to the reaction of sponsors and politicians. Left to their own devices, they would have welcomed Rice and Peterson back this weekend.
They don't deserve praise for their belated decisions. They deserve scorn for being forced to do the right thing.
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