Jed York explains why 49ers haven't sat Ray McDonald (accused of domestic violence)

[alp227]

Source: San Jose Mercury News

SANTA CLARA -- 49ers CEO Jed York said Tuesday he does not have enough information to determine whether 49ers defensive tackle Ray McDonald is guilty following an Aug. 31 arrest on suspicion of domestic violence.

"I will not punish somebody until we see evidence something should be done or until an entire police investigation shows us something," York said on KNBR 680-AM in explaining why the 49ers allowed McDonald to play in Sunday's season-opening win at Dallas.

McDonald's case comes amid public uproar on how the NFL is dealing with Ray Rice's domestic-violence incident. The Baltimore Ravens released Rice on Monday once TMZ revealed video of him knocking out his then- fiancée in a New Jersey casino elevator Feb. 15. After initially disciplining Rice in July with a two-game suspension, the NFL altered course Monday and indefinitely suspended him.

"Each case is its own separate case. Ray McDonald is not Ray Rice," York said. "As a society, we have a sense of saying, 'You didn't do it with Ray Rice right away, so you need to overdo it with Ray McDonald, or whoever else it is.'

Read more: http://www.mercurynews.com/49ers/ci_26500304/jed-york-explains-why-49ers-havent-sat-ray

[Fred Sanders]

1. There is always not enough evidence when it comes to football heroes in a football worshipping land.

[Sherman A1]

2. So what is your standard

of evidence?

[alp227]

4. in the case of Ray Rice, Rice was caught on video beating his SO

leaving the Ravens & NFL with no choice but put the hammer down on Rice. Video has a far bigger PR effect than a police report, since video exposes the abuser's actions way out in the open.

[Sherman A1]

11. I understand the difference

the question was to the poster above me, what is your standard of evidence? This gentleman has been accused and arrested, however he has not been found guilty. At what point should the team or the NFL act upon his employment to satisfy the poster?

[Paolo123]

12. Typically,

Progressives are wary of the power of the police and prosecutors over individuals, particularly black men. Just because he was arrested and charged doesn't make him guilty.

[alp227]

14. But does that EXCUSE the niners letting McDonald play?

The fact of life is, anyone can be falsely arrested just like anyone can commit a crime, doesn't matter skin color.

[Paolo123]

16. I don't know really, I struggle with it.

I understand the reason for not letting him play, but I am also uncomfortable going against "innocent until proven guilty". I am open to persuasion here.

[rocktivity]

3. "I'm not even going to deny it. I'll keep my mouth shut and let the system take its course...

the course of getting her to drop the charges."


rocktivity

[santroy79]

5. the nfl has suspended players before

when there was no arrest. this is a joke. 49ers had like 8 people arrested in less then 2 years.

[rocktivity]

6. It not the same in that there's nothing instantly incriminating

Sacramento Bee: Police arrived at 2:48 a.m. at McDonald’s home, where a birthday party was being held...Other 49ers, including tight end Vernon Davis and defensive end Demarcus Dobbs, attended the party...McDonald apparently was involved in an altercation with his fiancee, who a police source said is 10 weeks pregnant. When she showed police minor bruises on her neck and arms, McDonald was arrested without incident.

McDonald was booked at 5:30 a.m. in Santa Clara County jail for “inflicting injury on a spouse or cohabitant,” according to the Santa Clara County Department of Corrections. Bail was set at $25,000, and McDonald was released at 11:30 AM...General manager Trent Baalke said in a statement, “As we continue to gather the facts, we will reserve further comment.”

So I guess the "game plan" is for McDonald to stonewall: keep his mouth shut, play his way into his fans' hearts, hope any witnesses collaborate his version of what happened, and get the finance to drop the chargers or refuse to testify. Time heals all minor wounds -- even the ones on your neck...


rocktivity

[davidpdx]

7. As a fan of the team, I'm not happy about McDonald's conduct

Actually the team would be better off suspending him now both in terms of responding quickly to what he did and the schedule team has. They should suspend him for six games now and let the court case proceed and then let the NFL make their determination. If the NFL decides to suspend him for more than that then the 6 game suspension should be credited and MacDonald should serve the remainder of games immediately. If he is given the same punishment as Rice, then they should outright release him. The team certainly does not need him as a distraction as they have some new and talented players.

[rocktivity]

17. But Rice was "forced" to confess -- McDonald's playing dumb

and waiting for "the facts to come out" in the "ongoing investigation." I think he should have the guts to either confirm or deny his guilt to team management if not the public. Then the NFL would be able to act properly, and of course punish him as severely as they should have done with Rice when they saw the first video.


rocktivity

[davidpdx]

22. I agree

but part of the problem is a confession to the NFL and/or the public can be used in court. You really can't force someone to confess. You can pressure them. That's what happened to Rice. Now I have no idea if Rice has been charged with a crime, my guess with the video he either has or will be.

Indeed he is most likely guilty of it and should face punishment. He still does have the right to remain silent and have his day in court.

The 49ers management still could suspend him simply calling it a violation of player conduct and give the reason that he is under investigation. That in my opinion would be a good first step. Jumping to the end of the investigation now sets a bad precedent.

While I fully support the idea that he needs to own up to his mistake and be punished, I don't agree that it should be done at the expense of his rights.

[VA_Jill]

8. As the Amish say

"It doesn't look." (meaning, it looks wrong)
They need to sit his butt on the bench, since he's been arrested. That will encourage him and his lawyer not to drag it out in court, but to settle things one way or another. Then he can take whatever punishment is doled out by the league. If he's a big enough boy to dish it out, he's a big enough boy to take it. By the way, are these Harbaugh boys thick-headed or something?

[christx30]

9. Essentially:

"This is a business. And we are not going to fire a good employee until he threatens our bottom line."

[NBachers]

10. Don'tcha just love Jed York?

[Iamthetruth]

13. I agree

We are talking about someone's job here, you better have facts, not just accusations.

[alp227]

15. So private employers should respect due process?

I thought constitutional rights only protect one against state actors like the government not private employers.

[rocktivity]

18. MacDonald has the facts

he should give them to team management whether they incriminate him or not.


rocktivity

[Iamthetruth]

19. I don't argue that

It's not that rare to be accused of something you did not do.

[rocktivity]

20. It IS rare, however, to be accused of something you did not do

and not deny that you did it!


rocktivity

[Iamthetruth]

21. Kind of like

Being accused of being born in Kenya but knowing its BS. Accusations can be damaging without proof.