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I'm sure most of us who are American and/or pay attention to the NFL are familiar by now with this 'rapist of the season' troupe. One of the most recent: Deshaun Watson's numerous cases of harassment and indecent exposure towards female massage therapists (20+ incidents; still signed to a new team).
One of the most infamous: Ben Rothlisberger's rape of a young woman in a bar bathroom (which had witnesses!!!) and he continued to play in the NFL for years afterward, despite earning the moniker Ben "Rapelisberger."
I've been wondering: is this just male entitlement per usual, or is there something in U.S. football culture that seems to either make or attract the rapiest bros? Or perhaps just sports in general?
It really bums me out for obvious reasons since I'm a woman, but also because I really enjoy playing and watching sports and it keeps being ruined by these pieces of garbage. I'm somewhat optimistic for this one because the Bills actually benched Araiza when the allegations + civil lawsuit came up, but I wouldn't be surprised if they end up keeping him anyway because the accusations are "unfounded" AKA "women be lying" and "tHiS is A mOnEy gRaB," which is what athlete rapist attorneys ✨always✨ say.
/end rant
It’s the same deal with those actors and film execs. Males being praised as gods gets to their heads eventually and builds entitlement to everything, including humans. They expect servitude and sexual slavery. When they don’t get it, they take it because they can. They know they will be protected from consequences, even if they are caught. This is why I am against excessively praising any person, elevating them to some higher “VIP” status. It creates dangerous levels of narcissism and entitlement. People with power need to know how important it is not to abuse it, very few do though.
I think being elevated to God status since high school makes them think they are untouchable. I will say though I work with a pro football team and in the past the players were very flirty (not even that bad but definitely flirty) but now they are extremely polite and respectful and don't flirt at all to any of us. Not sure what caused the change but I'm hoping the tide is changing.
I'd also like to know what's with all the actors and musicians with sexual assault, battery and abuse against their partners. I'm losing count now.
Update: the Buffalo Bills cut him from the roster 🎉
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/aug/27/buffalo-bills-cut-matt-araiza-after-gang-rape-allegation
Football for me was never a sport I was ever interested in. I’ve always felt that it’s just tough men wanting to prove themselves and throughout the years, the sexual assaults and rape stories coming out from the NFL proved my point as to why I was never interested in this useless stupid sport. People need to start protesting against the NFL for allowing such players. It’s disgusting.
I read an article about this rape and there may have been up to 20 men involved. Not one of these men waiting in line looked around and said something is seriously dangerous and evil here?! College women need to throw their own parties with bouncers. Leave the frat boys to host their sausage fests alone.