Essay Outline

Hope Solo and U.S. Soccer vs. Ray Rice and the NFL

I. Introduction

     There has been a trend recently of NFL players being accused of domestic violence, specifically Ray Rice. The NFL has held Rice accountable for his actions. Some may say his punishment of being suspended indefinitely from the NFL is to harsh, while others may say it is a slap on the wrist. 

     A. Originally NFL only suspended Rice for two games

          1. Once they saw video evidence of abuse they gave a harsher punishment

          2. Used Rice as an example

     B. NFL has shown they are ready to make changes and take a stance on domestic abuse violations.

     C. US Soccer should take note of how the NFL is using Ray Rice as an example and punish Hope Solo             accordingly for her actions of domestic violence against her sister and nephew.

II. On June 21st Hope Solo was in an altercation with her half sister and nephew at her sister's house.

     A. Solo showed up intoxicated (the altercation)

          1. After several insults were thrown back and forth between Solo and her nephew, he told her to                         leave the home.

               a. When solo refused to leave, her nephew threw out one last insult at Solo before she charged                            and punched her seventeen year old nephew.

               b. Solo then punched her sister who was trying to intervene.

               c. According to the arrest affidavit,in an effort to stop Solo from assaulting his mother the nephew                      broke a broom stick over Solo's head. 

               d. When the broom stick didn't stop Solo, her nephew then got a broken BB gun, pointed it at                            Solo and told her to leave.

     

     B. Unidentified man who is a neighbor of Hope Solo's sister called 911 and cops showed up before Solo          left the house. (Evidence)

          

          1. According to the 911 call obtained by TMZ the caller said, "Hope Solo is going psychotic... she's                 f***ing beating people up. We need help!"

          2. When police arrived they found Solo's nephew bleeding from one ear, his jaw, and a                                     reddened nose.

               a. Sisters jaw was swelling

               b. Officers found no apparent injuries on Solo and she refused to let them search her for injuries.

          3. Solo denied hitting/assaulting anyone.

               a. She plead not guilty when domestic violence charges were filed against her.

          4. 911 tape as evidence

     C. US Soccer hasn't punished/reprimanded Solo in any way. In fact they have been praising her hard                work and success in recent weeks after the charges were filed.

          1. US WNT sent email with subject line, Goalkeeper Hope Solo on verge of breaking US WNT                       All-time shutout record.

          2. Page full of stats/facts from Solo's 14 year Int. career.

          3. Solo was given the captain's arm-band when the US team played against Mexico.

          4. USA Today sports writer Christine Brennan wrote, "This is not the time for US Soccer to be                         celebrating Hope Solo and her achievements. It is a time for Solo to be dealing with her personal                   and legal issues far away from the soccer field." 

               a. Brennan wrote the US Women's National team in disgust asking why Solo was being                                   celebrated. 

                    i. Spokesperson for US WNT responded by saying, Solo had an opportunity to set a                                     significant record that speaks of her hard work and dedication with the National Team. While                       considering all factors involved, we believe we should recognize that in the proper way.

               b. Yes, it does speak volumes about her as a soccer player, but what does it say about her as a                        person? What does it say about the US team that is supporting instead of reprimanding her?                          What does it say to all the little girls' that look up to Hope Solo as a soccer player and person?

     D. Some may argue innocent until proven guilty.

Transition sentence

III. Conclusion

     A. For those that think Ray Rice got a slap on the wrist, he still got a lot more punishment than Solo has            seen.

     B. If it weren't for Rice knocking his wife unconscious in an elevator then the Hope Solo domestic                    violence case would never have come to light. 

     C. NFL took action and has removed several players from their rosters because of domestic abuse.

               1. NFL has set a standard, used players such as Ray Rice, Adrian Peterson, Jonathan Dwyer and                   Greg Hardy as examples of what punishment will be and what is expected of their players. 

                    

                    a. Found the courage to act regardless of negative impact it could have on the NFL

     D. US WNT is an organization that has been used to empower and inspire women over the last two                  decades.

          

               1. US Soccer needs to find the courage to punish Solo before the outcome of the upcoming trial                       scheduled for Nov. 4.

               2. It is a privilege, not a right, to represent the United States on the international sports stage, said                     Brennan.

                    a. Hope Solo's privilege to play for US Soccer should be revoked until she seeks help.