Chicago Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall, who is the latest NFL player being accused of domestic violence, came out firing in a press conference from the team’s practice facility on Thursday afternoon.
As you can imagine, the results were pretty interesting in what was a long-winded session with the media.
Marshall addressed the accusations that have been thrown his way by his ex-girlfriend Rasheedah Watley and her lawyer Gloria Allred stemming from an incident that took place back in March of 2007.
Packet Brandon Marshall handed out to media pic.twitter.com/wTZs8bmT1T
— Zach Zaidman (@ZachZaidman) September 18, 2014
1 letter to Goodell from Watley: "I wil let you know he never hurt me or hit me. I was pressured …"
— Michael C. Wright (@mikecwright) September 18, 2014
He said that Watley continually harrassed Marshall and those around him for money following the accusations that took place some eight years ago. The receiver then held up evidence of the alleged victim demanding said money.
One email from a law firm asks for $100,000. One asks for $500,000 "to be paid in certified funds within 30 days from receipt of letter."
— Michael C. Wright (@mikecwright) September 18, 2014
Marshall also agreed with NFL’s new policy against domestic violence, only stating that due process should play out before jumping to final conclusions. The Pro Bowler then indicated that both Ray Rice and himself have made some bad mistakes in the past. Though, it’s important to note that Marshall did not blame his borderline personality disorder for said mistakes and did not defend Rice’s action or disagree with league’s response.
In terms of the broad issue of domestic violence in the NFL, Marshall had this to say.
I think the current climate is a shame, but I do know the NFL can change lives and influence to mold the culture. Whether we are wearing green, pink or orange, it’s sweet because we can make a difference.
He focused on how domestic violence impacted his life growing up as well as his generation.
Marshall: "Domestic violence is serious – I saw how it affected my mother, I saw how it affected this generation."
— Jeff Arnold (@JeffArnold_) September 18, 2014
Throughout the press conference, Marshall spoke about how his mother was physically and sexually assaulted when he grew up. He remembers the day she came to him for help to get sober from alcohol abuse, at which point Marshall emotionally pointed out her 50th birthday party and the fact that the event represented her two-year anniversary of being sober.
The Bears receiver also demanded an apology from ESPN for “sensationalizing” a story that the network ran on him during a recent E:30 segment.
I try not to get defensive, but I am because it’s been six or seven years and watching that ESPN piece run again, to be depicted as if it was today when it was about two years and them sitting in my living room, in front of my wife (and say) this is about your camp and community, it pissed me off.
If ESPN did lead Marshall into believing that the interview was more about his other work off the field and less about his past domestic issues, it’s shoddy journalism at its worst. And the network should be ashamed.
Overall, Marshall’s press conference was indicative of a conversation the entire NFL community should be having right now. Instead of throwing potshots back and forth at one another, how about the league engage in the very same dialogue that Marshall engaged on during this press conference?
You may not agree with everything Marshall had to see here, but it’s a conversation that we must have moving forward.