Project #6
This project revolves around NFL Player crime. I have always been interested in how crimes down in sports are correlated so when I found an NFL-based database (2000-2017), I knew I had to pursue it. How can each aspect of the NFL impact crime? My first visualization I made was between number of crimes and the team they are on. Minnesota, Denver, and Cincinnati were the top 3. I was somewhat surprised when I saw this as I expected most violent cities to be correlated with this list. An article by USA Today written in 2018 shows the most violent cities – ones with NFL Teams – to be Tennessee, Kansas City, Baltimore, and Detroit (“25 most dangerous” 1). However, none of these 4 appeared in the top 3. Therefore, it can be assumed this relationship is more weighted upon the players themselves, not the team there are on.
The second visualization I made was the relationship between number of crimes and position. I wanted to see this because my initial inference was that positions that require constant contact result in, on average, more violent men who are more willing to commit crimes. Therefore, I expected the Offensive line, defensive line, running backs, wide receivers, cornerbacks, and linebackers to lead this group. In fact, the 5 leading positions – in order – for crimes are Wide Receiver, Linebacker, Cornerback, Running back, and the Defensive Line. This, unlike my first visualization, was just as I expected.
The third one was crimes by Year. It is well documented that the issues of this violent sport affect the mind and body. CTE causes violence surges and other types of physical abuse (Chronic 1). With this new research and rules protecting the players, I expect crime to strictly decrease past around 2010. The Total Wellness Initiative was launched in 2012 to help NFL players with their mental health (Total Wellness 1). Because of this, I also expect the same relationship – a constant decrease starting in the early 2010’s. This relationship was very precise, besides small spikes in 2013 and 2014, as we see a consistent year-to-year decrease starting in 2010.
The article I looked at was how the nature of the sport of football affects crime rates. It first mentions Ray Rice’s infamous incident which is included in the data set! The article mentions how crime rates for NFL players are lower when adjusted for population compared to the general male population (Diamond 1). This makes sense as getting arrested often means losing their very lucrative career. They have more to lose. However, domestic violence is higher for NFL players. This can be linked to CTE and the aforementioned spurts of violence. “30% of NFL Players will suffer from moderate neurodegenerative disease (Diamond 1).” Therefore, it is crucial for players to realize the risks of playing this sport and do their best to further protect themselves.
This project relates to class in the section of sports crimes. Crimes like the ones Ray Rice and Kareem Hunt – both domestic – sadly happen every day in America. However, when people are making millions off salary and endorsements, they are always in the spotlight. This effect is magnified when they commit a crime. Like we talked about in class, committing a crime drastically effects your image. This is why keeping it out of the media is crucial to the agents of these players. Ray Rice never played again after his domestic violence charge. As mentioned earlier, Baltimore has one of the highest crime rates in the country – the team Rice played for. Also, in the Alcohol section of the class, we discussed how impairing your mind often leads to regret and wrongdoing. This can be connected to the mental issues and CTE that football gives players in that the actions they do don’t resemble their typical behavior.
I used those variables because they were easiest for the viewer to make conclusions on.
References
25 most dangerous cities in America. (2019, February 21). USA Today. Retrieved April 8, 2019, from https://www.usatoday.com/picture-gallery/travel/experience/america/2018/10/17/25-most-dangerous-cities-america/1669467002/
Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy. (n.d.). Harvard. Retrieved April 8, 2019, from http://pnl.bwh.harvard.edu/education/what-is/chronic-traumatic-encephalopathy/
Diamond, D. (2015, May 06). Does Playing Football Make You Violent? Examining the Evidence. Forbes. Retrieved April 8, 2019, from https://www.forbes.com/sites/dandiamond/2014/09/16/does-football-make-you-violent-examining-the-evidence/#69a43bf7fb7e
Person. (2018, August 17). Total Wellness assists NFL with physical, emotional wellness. NFL.com Retrieved April 8, 2019, from http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000948561/article/total-wellness-assists-nfl-with-physical-emotional-wellness