'The true test of a man's character is what he does when no one is watching.'

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I have always been a Jay Z fan (Brooklyn roots) and a love of rap music.

 

How he handled himself in the elevator incident with his sister in law was exactly what the quote  above exemplifies.

 

Why doesn't anyone talk about that??!?

 

Ray Rice showed discipline and restraint when conquering his dream as a football player but where did that change----on one unfortunate night in an elevator open to the public and football fans around the world.  If I had to guess I'd say neither of these men thought they would be on video. Hello Big brother.

 

All because of a video.  His actions can't be justified but the tale of two elevators tells the true story of a character of man.

 

Ray Rice, Done.  Career over.

 

Is Roger Goodell, Commissioner of National Football League responsible for something he knew nothing about until a video tape was released? Why is Roger Goodell responsible for teaching one man restraint.  Is that something that is learned behavior from the time of being child.

 

My only wish is that the elevator had audio and the Traveling Wilburys car ride has less.

No filter Fred in rare form!

Comments

Fred Klein

I agree, it was Jay Z's finest moment. No retaliation. Even when she threw a highly dangerous high heeled shoe at him. Hmm, I better watch it, Cindy was packing stiletto pointed high heels yesterday. Lucky I was sporting my filter.
Cynthia Somma

I was really afraid Mitch had a camera in his car and besides who wants to ruin a great pair of shoes.
All kidding aside, do you know that when I mentioned Jay Z to you yesterday...you we're the ONLY person that I've spoken to that agreed. A self declared street punk drug dealer from the ghetto has made himself into something. Truly.

Submitted by HelenaBouchez on Sat, 09/20/2014 - 02:13

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Helena Bouchez

Sadly, stories about self-control and restraint, especially when it comes to celebrities, don't drive as many clicks$ and share$ in the media.

Jay Z is an interesting man with a lot of self-awareness and a big vision for the future, which he is using rap to achieve. (See last page, last paragraph.) http://www.oprah.com/omagazine/Oprah-Interviews-Jay-Z-October-2009-Issue-of-O-Magazine

Rice, not so much.

As for Goodell, what a disaster. I predict an update to the NFL's conduct policy will be announced very soon. :-/

PS - Very nice to meet you both yesterday at the Princeton meeting!
The Webmaster

Good observation. Jay Z is a smart businessman. Ray is a football player that most likely was coddled his whole life not learning how to treat women
Corey Bearak

Very interesting blog and comments. The thing we most miss, involves an individual's ability to improve and avoid mistakes and missteps and worse committed by others. Today's video age makes examples of bad decisions, bad acts, dumb acts, violence acts, obvious for most to see. The interesting question for me involves the owners, the NFL and the players associations, the networks, the sponsors and all others who make big busk in this: where you invest so much in personnel, how do you not invest in whatever is needed to help educate, provide awareness, counseling and the like for the players. Coming out of college, the league, etc. needs to do more both on intervention, counseling and education. More needs to be done at the college level as well.
What we also see now is the coverup, here perhaps of just stupid responses and actions by some owners and their commissioners (and other league officials) come into play.
As to restraint, to some extent we learn it but anger requires self-control and some do it better than others. In some other posts, I talked about our ability to learn through our lives. Some do it better.
Rona Gura

Really good point Cindy.

To me, the issue of Goodell is what he knew and when. I just do not believe that he didn't know the extent of Rice's actions when the original suspension was issued. To me, it appears that once he was confronted with the public release of the tape, Goodell only issued the appropriate response.

I also question why no one, including the local DA's office and the NFL, tried to get the elevator tape before there was any sort of response? Especially after the Jay Z incident we all know that elevators are taped. Do we really have to rely now on TMZ to get to the truth?
Donald Bernstein

Maybe Jay Z knew that what he did was so bad and indefensible that he deserved the flying shoe. Possible?

Submitted by NULL (not verified) on Sat, 09/20/2014 - 21:24

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Nah, Beyoncé standing there like a statue tells you this ain't the first time.

Corey, I agree. However if you've ever watched how these college kids are treated you would already think they were in the NFL.
First it starts at home, then it should begin the latest...middle school. I just rec'd a letter from Emiily's school which runs from 7-12 grade about an incident on school property involving drugs and alcohol. Social media have found the culprits and they will be dealt with accordingly. Those on school teams will no longer be allowed to play. Teach them now

Submitted by NULL (not verified) on Sat, 09/20/2014 - 21:30

In reply to by HelenaBouchez

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It was very nice to meet you as well. I'm going to read that article now. Thanks fir sharing :)
Fred Klein

This blogger knows how to draw comments (and pad). Well done for a back seat girl. :)
Cynthia Somma

No filter even on Sundays...I learned a lot FROM the front seat. No offense to Corey :)

They, and people who were paying attention know that the everyone (including me) knew exactly what was on that tape (right down to her being hit with a closed fist). Ray and Janae Rice were open about what happened that night and that's part of the reason they were allowed into the pre-trial intervention program. The second tape was probably only sold and released because the hotel went out of business. The was basically no new evidence in the second tape. Interesting that this entire fiasco probably wouldn't have happened if the hotel didn't close down.

Submitted by NULL (not verified) on Sun, 09/21/2014 - 14:31

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Great blog!!!

Submitted by NULL (not verified) on Mon, 09/22/2014 - 01:23

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I totally agree with Cindy Hello Big Brother is he always watching though or is he NOT?

Submitted by NULL (not verified) on Mon, 09/22/2014 - 01:33

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Ray Rice is the example that they've been looking for. Maybe they should look deeper into things, he's not the only one and he won’t be the last! You would think there would be some sort of audio in the elevators these days with so much technology No man has a right to put his hands on a woman and the door swings both ways! Which yes includes spitting in someone's face!

Submitted by NULL (not verified) on Mon, 09/22/2014 - 02:02

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Absolutely agree, when I first sawt the tape I wondered why she was getting into his face....disgusting.

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