New York Giants: What You’re Missing in Cowboys Game

Sep 13, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA;New York Giants running back

Rashad Jennings

(23) runs the ball against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Dallas won 27-26. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Oh, it’s on! The New York Giants take on the Dallas Cowboys today in what will surely be an interesting showdown. With first place in the NFC East division on the line, the Giants are looking to even their 2015 series against their biggest rivals and bounce back from a dismal performance in Philadelphia Monday night.

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However, there’s a story that people are completely missing about today’s game. While who’s injured and what’s on the line is important, what’s really important is what the New York Giants are doing during the game. Partnering with My Sisters’ Place and the Joyful Heart Foundation (founded by Law & Order: SVU actress Mariska Hargitay), the Giants have dedicated today’s game to honoring Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

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During the game, new “No More” P.S.A. videos featuring Giants Coach Tom Coughlin, team co-owner John Mara, quarterback Eli Manning and his teammates will run on the scoreboards. Mariska Hargitay will also participate in today’s coin toss and kick off a day in which fans are encouraged to use social media to voice their opinions against domestic abuse and sexual assault.

It’s amazing to see the Giants taking a more proactive approach to combating an issue that affects 1 in 4 women during their lifetime as the NFL continues to sweep the problem under the rug. The NFL has reportedly spent millions in the past year on educating its players about the issue and revamping its personal conduct policy following the Ray Rice (and subsequent) incidents. However, the League’s response has clearly only been about saving its image and not actually solving the problem.

Since the Ray Rice incident (courtesy of USA Today), 12 NFL players have been arrested in domestic abuse cases. That’s terrifying considering that an estimated 70 percent of domestic violence cases go unreported. It’s also absurd that the NFL thinks that it’s moved past the issue.

Regardless of the amount of money that the NFL claims to have spent towards ending domestic abuse, the reality is that the issue is still present. And it’ll remain present if the League and others don’t facilitate discussions about it. Perhaps if people encouraged others to speak out against domestic violence, offenders like current Cowboys defensive end Greg Hardy (who the Giants coincidentally face tomorrow) would learn their lesson.

I commend the New York Giants for dedicating today’s game to honoring Domestic Violence Awareness Month and encouraging fans to speak their minds about the issue that is more common than we think. Regardless of the numbers on the scoreboard, the Giants are the clear winners with their efforts. Hopefully, this will motivate others to say “no more” to and do more about domestic violence.

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