Why I won’t be watching Super Bowl XLIX

Disclaimer: The “Super Bowl XLIX” name and logo are copyrighted and trademarked by the NFL. I do not own any rights to either.

I won’t be watching Superbowl XLIX in February.

Let me tell you where I’m coming from. I woke up this morning and, like most mornings, I looked at the news feed on my phone. And I was sick of what I saw.

Out of Arizona, yet another alleged case of domestic violence from an NFL player has come to light. As I write this (September  18, 2014), that makes a total of three known cases this season alone. For me, enough is enough.

I was fortunate enough to be raised in a safe, loving home. Yes, I was spanked, but I never walked away with a welt or a bruise. I never saw my grandpa, my dad or any of my uncles lay a hand on my grandmother, mother or aunts, either.

Now, I’m not saying that NFL players are given to domestic violence any more than the rest of the populace. Despite the bad eggs, I believe the majority of NFL players are good husbands and fathers. I’m also not passing judgement on the NFL players who have been accused. Whether they are guilty or not will be decided by our justice system.

That being said, domestic violence — whether the victim be man, woman or child — is not acceptable in any way, shape or form. A six-game suspension for a first offense is not an acceptable form of punishment for this type of crime. First, not second offenders, should receive a lifetime ban from the NFL. There must be a zero tolerance policy for domestic violence in the NFL.

I realize my boycott of Superbowl XLIX does nothing to help these innocents inside or out of the NFL. I hope, however, in my own small way, that I can give a small sign of support by abstaining from the Super Bowl. My viewership of Super Bowl XLIX may be a grain of sand in the desert to the NFL, but even so, they won’t receive my patronage.

If you’re an NFL fan, I hope you’ll join me. Even if you’re not, I hope you’ll still raise your voice against this issue by signing my petition at the bottom of this post. As I said above, I realize my viewership of the Super Bowl is inconsequential to the NFL. Alone, I won’t make a difference, but together, we can be more than a grain of sand.

Last year, Super Bowl XLVIII between the Seahawks and Broncos drew a record 111.5 million viewers. Imagine if 111.5 million people said enough is enough. Imagine if 111.5 million people weren’t more inclined to watch “the big game” rather than make a tiny sacrifice to stand up to domestic violence.

I’m not asking anyone to make a donation or dump a bucket of ice water over your head. All I’m asking you to do is add your name to the list below and turn off the television for a few hours on February 1, 2015. I’m asking you, for just one day, to make being a decent person a priority over being a football fan

I can’t make a difference alone, but together, we can. I’m not watching Superbowl XLIX, are you?

Domestic violence should be a zero tolerance policy in the NFL. Join me in boycotting Superbowl XLIX.

Number of signatures: 1

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Derek Siddoway

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