As originally aired on The Rochester Press Box
Moral dilemmas. How we define our values. How we are perceived. The Buffalo Bills figure to do some soul searching soon. In some well-appointed back room meeting place, the process has probably already begun. What to do with Von Miller. Last week, the Buffalo linebacker turned himself into authorities in Dallas to answer an arrest warrant on a charge of alleged domestic violence.
This is a hot-button issue in the National Football League. Teams deal with it on a sliding scale. Had last week’s news been about Poona Ford or Kingsley Jonathan, third stringers, it is quite possible that they’d be out looking for work right now. But this is Von Miller. A future Hall of Famer. A prized free agent signing a year ago.
We all remember Ray Rice and the elevator video of him punching his girlfriend. That ended Rice’s career in 2013. But it wasn’t an issue of the Baltimore Ravens claiming the moral high ground. Rice’s career was almost over anyway. The incident only greased the skids. Look around. Kareem Hunt and DeShaun Watson are still playing in Cleveland. Jerry Jeudy is still a Denver Bronco. All with checkered pasts. But they’re still useful.
The alleged victim in the Miller case denies there’s an issue. Says no one assaulted anyone. But should the league decide to suspend Miller off the police report, it gives Buffalo some options. Von has struggled to regain his form since suffering a season ending knee injury last year. And at age 34, he isn’t apt to be the player he once was. Miller is a diminishing asset. The Bills could realize significant salary cap savings if they were to release him for violating the league’s personal conduct policy. If presented with the opportunity, does Buffalo choose to take advantage of an unfortunate incident? Or stand by their man?
What would you do?
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