The New England Patriots first took a stand against domestic violence in 1996, when Myra Kraft, wife of Patriots owner Robert Kraft, convinced the team to release recent draftee Christian Peter, who had four convictions for assaulting women while playing at the University of Nebraska.
That stand continues to this day.
Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald reported Wednesday that Robert Kraft said the team will not draft Oklahoma running back Joe Mixon, who was seen on video punching a woman in the face in 2014. He was suspended by the Sooners for a season because of the incident.
The Herald quoted Kraft as saying: “While I believe in second chances and giving players an opportunity for redemption, I also believe that playing in the NFL is a privilege, not a right. For me, personally, I believe that privilege is lost for men who have a history of abusing women.”
The Dolphins have also said they won't draft Mixon, who is one of the most talented running backs availabile in the draft. The Pats could soon be looking for help at the position, as James White and Dion Lewis are both in the final years of their contracts and they signed Rex Burkhead to just a one-year deal.
But Mixon won't be the answer to those problems.