As media coverage regarding the NFL's handling of domestic violence cases swelled, one complaint continued to sound among critics: The league treats its stars better than its scrubs.
High-powered attorney Gloria Allred blasted the league and commissioner Roger Goodell for, she believes, ignoring a case involving Bears star receiver Brandon Marshall. Sports Illustrated writer Robert Klemko questioned if the Vikings handled All-Pro running back Adrian Peterson differently than undrafted, no-name players.
A Tampa Bay Times analysis suggests they might be right: The league and its teams do give preferential treatment to top players.
Since 2006, the year Goodell became commissioner, there have been 53 arrests for domestic violence involving 51 players, according to a database collected by USA Today. The Times reviewed how those players were treated. Although every case is different and punishments aren't always apples-to-apples comparisons, some trends emerge.
Twelve players lost their jobs soon after the arrest. That list includes three undrafted free agents cut within 24 hours.
Only four of those 12 were notable players who were drafted in the top two rounds, started at least 32 games or made a Pro Bowl.
Bryan Thomas, a 2002 first-round pick and 11-year veteran, wasn't re-signed after being charged with punching his wife in the stomach. Receiver Chad Johnson was cut by Miami after his arrest before the 2012 season, and Houston declined to offer Pro Bowl returner Jerome Mathis a new contract after his 2008 incident.
The fourth player isn't as well known, but his story is telling. Pittsburgh receiver Cedrick Wilson started 33 games before he was accused of punching his ex-girlfriend in March 2008. The team cut him a day later.
When Wilson was released, another notable Steeler was dealing with a similar issue: five-time Pro Bowl linebacker James Harrison, who was accused of hitting his girlfriend. The charges against Harrison were later dropped, and he wasn't punished by the team or league.
Harrison was one of 22 players who were arrested on suspicion of domestic violence but didn't appear to be punished by the league or their team. Fifteen of those 22 players are notable.
Seven of them played in a Pro Bowl, including Dallas receiver Dez Bryant, former New Orleans defensive end Will Smith and former San Diego All-Pro linebacker Shawne Merriman. Marshall served a one-game NFL suspension after a 2008 arrest but wasn't suspended the first time, in 2007.
But whether it's because of public pressure or a sincere desire to crack down on domestic violence, the NFL might be changing.
Two of the five players arrested on domestic violence claims this year are stars, Carolina defensive end Greg Hardy and Baltimore running back Ray Rice.
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Explore all your optionsAnd the only two still playing are San Francisco defensive end Ray McDonald and Jets practice squad receiver Quincy Enunwa.
The league is investigating both.
Contact Matt Baker at mbaker@tampabay.com. Follow @MBakerTBTimes