by Carlos Copérnico (Gráficosports.com)

It is already known to everyone that the NFL has a long history of extensive scandals involving players in murder, suicide and robbery, such as O.J. Simpson, Aaron Hernández, Jovan Belcher and others. Some players manage to get a chance to come back and others simply were denied that. These are the players who have received a second chance and those who have waited for it to come.

Michael Vick: In 2007, he was sentenced to 2 years in prison for organizing dogfights at his house. Although the Atlanta Falcons were no longer interested, Vick was able to continue his career in the NFL playing for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2009.

Adrian Peterson

The famous Washington Redskins running back was indicted in 2014 for mistreating his son, he was banned for life from the NFL, but later the sanction was revoked by the Texas State Attorney’s Office.

Ray Rice

The Ravens running back who was indicted by his fiancee for hitting her in an elevator in 2014. Rice was released by the team, and was suspended indefinitely by the league. Rice appealed the suspension, claiming he was suspended twice for the same offense, which is a violation of league rules. In November 2014 he won the appeal to be reinstated in the NFL, however the reinstatement never happened and in 2018 Ray Rice announced his retirement.

Antonio Brown

One of the most controversial cases last year was the one involving former steelers WR Antonio Brown, considered a highly talented troublemaker. He was charged with sexual harassment and inappropriate behavior. The first accusation corresponds to Brittany Taylor, a former Brown coach, who filed a civil lawsuit for three episodes of sexual harassment. Days later, there was a second indictment against Brown and he was cut by the New England Patriots, a team in which he only played one game. Today there is talk of a possible return to the league and the rumors are strong; although he must first face a suspension by the Commissioner.

The last of the cases is that of Quinton Dunbar and DeAndre Baker on charges of assault and armed robbery. According to official accounts, both were in a house in Miramar, Florida, where they played a friendly game of cards. One of the witnesses noted that an argument broke out when they were playing and Baker pointed the gun at the other subjects present.

The Police Department noted that three men left the premises in different vehicles, taking expensive watches and more than $ 7,000 in cash.

And the million dollar question is: Why haven’t players like Colin Kaepernick and Eric Reid given the chance of a second opportunity?

These two players led a protest in 2016 over police brutality and racial injustice in their country during the flag honors ceremony; remember that in that year there were a series of marches protesting the excessive use of force by police forces in the United States.

It is important to emphasize that they did not generate violence, were not disrespectful, and did not engage in scandals such as those mentioned above. There is no doubt about the commitment and patriotism of these athletes, since they seek to contribute to a better, equitable and egalitarian society on the subject of human rights.

Although a few years later player demands and incendiary controversies emerged from the White House and elsewhere, today in the midst of a pandemic we again have the police arrogance on the streets, the unfortunate death of George Floyd and the angry response of the population after this event in Minneapolis.

Without a logical explanation, on the one hand we have two top-level players without receiving an opportunity to play again because they defended their constitutional rights. And on the other hand, we have three others who could possibly be granted that second chance, despite the fact that they have been involved in deplorable conflicts with the law.