MSNBC "The Ed Show" - Transcript: Punishments for Domestic Violence in the NFL

Interview

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

SCHULTZ: Well this incident took the -- grabbed the attention of several in the United State Senate. One of them was senator for Connecticut, Richard Blumenthal who joins us tonight via the telephone and -- Senator, good to have you with us tonight. I do understand that you had a written a letter to Roger Goodell at the time that this all unfolded.

And you said that, the decision to suspend Mr. Rice for a mere two games sends the inescapable message that the NFL does not take domestic or intimate partner violence with the seriousness they deserve. You urged the league to move forward and make some changes that Mr. Rice`s suspension to be more adequately reflect the seriousness of his offense.

Senator your response to what the NFL has done this afternoon?

SEN. RICHARD BLUMENTHAL, (D) CONNECTICUT: Great step forward, it puts them within reach of a really important and historic step that sets a model potentially for other sports and other professional leagues. We still have to find out whether they`re really cross the goal line. You know, words are fine, actions are what`s necessary. And the possibility of six-week suspension without pay and longer punishment, and years banishment if it`s a second offense all are really very, very important signals and messages.

But now we have to see whether it will be implemented. And I believe very,
very strongly that the commissioner is to be commented for listening. And heading, for example my call and others, that these kinds of domestic violence, brutality, and assault have to treated severely and seriously.

SCHULTZ: Senator, do you think the league has to stay on it, maybe to find out if this is going to be enough. I mean, we`re talking about curbing behavior.

BLUMENTHAL: Absolutely, the league must stay on it. And so must all of us who are interested in fighting domestic violence, you know, I`ve started a group here in Connecticut some years ago associated with one of our major domestic violence shelters, it`s Men Against Domestic Violence, Men Make a Difference. Men has to take a stand, and these athletes are paramount, principle role models for children.

And we know that domestic violence is a cycle that -- men who perpetrate domestic violence, 70 percent or more have seen or experience it in their own lives. And so, these athletes are role models and -- as important as a punishment by the way, in my view is the education component that the commissioner announcing, reaching out to spouses, reaching out to family members, trying to do education outside of the league itself.

SCHULTZ: OK. Senator, good to have you with us tonight, I appreciate your time Senator Richard Blumenthal. I want to go back finally now to Terence Moore. What does this do with organization in the league, Mr. Moore? I mean, they`re coming up on the end of training camp right now. I know that there`s a lot of counseling that goes on with these players when they`re new into the league.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source