NFL Play of The Year

How about that "Game Changer" play that everyone will remember for the rest of Football history?

Oh, you thought I was talking about the game closing INT to seal the Lombardi Trophy that the rookie from West Alabama made Sunday at the Super Bowl? That was one of the best games I've seen, but no.

I'm talking about the real game changer.

Domestic abuse. It's nothing new, but it's out in the open now. And it's only funny to some people because they either haven't had it happen to someone they love or they're the ones enforcing it.

If you watched the video above you might have caught yourself either breathing heavy or holding your breath for a moment. I did.

There were two times I recall, when I was too young to understand, that my Grandpa, Grandma and Uncle had to come over in the middle of the night to pick up my Mom, Brother and I.
At four years-old, I remember my dad angry, yelling and throwing his dinner dish into the fire place all because he didn't approve of what my mom prepared him for dinner.
That was the first time my dad taught me how to react when something isn't right.
When the second event happen I was in the middle of it, literally. Watching the Disney VHS "Sleeping Beauty" between my parents in their bed. My parents were talking and the little comment that my mom made ignited my dad to jump over me onto my mom, shaking her violently. I believe I was yelling for my older brother who had hurried to call my grandparents. I was five years-old and that is forever embedded in me.

Those are the lessons that young men are taught; First, when something isn't done right curse, yell and belittle someone and second if someone offends you put hands on them.

This is tough to share because it's real and personal. Luckily that was the last time that happen and my dad, realizing that he didn't want to lose everything he truly loved, changed.

My parents are so so so happy together and I love them both. This story is showing two good and wonderful people at their absolute worst.

But like Ray and myself, all guys have seen or have heard the act of devaluing a woman. Internally this causes us to believe it is natural and right.

• The World Health Organization reported in 2013 more than a third of women fall victim to physical and sexual violence. Vast majority of the cases the abuser is the husband or the boyfriend.
• The Federal Bureau of Investigation reports 3,200 servicemen were killed in battle from 2000-2006, at the same time there were 10,600 domestic homicides in the U.S.   

More men need to teach younger men to respect and honor others.

Danny