Hannah Storm is a mother first and foremost.
The ESPN anchor, who has three daughters, got emotional during the conclusion of SportsCenter Sunday morning. Storm discussed Ray Rice's domestic violence scandal and then questioned the NFL's integrity.
"On Monday morning, I was genuinely excited to come to work and break down what I thought was a fascinating first weekend in the NFL. Instead, I kicked off ESPN's coverage of the horrific Ray Rice elevator video. Meanwhile, one of my daughters has her first Fantasy Football team this season. But at breakfast this week, instead of discussing how her team was doing, we watched the Ray Rice video play out again in all its ugliness," said Storm, who wed sportscaster Dan Hicks in 1994. "I spent this week answering seemingly impossible questions about the league's biggest stars: 'Mom, why did he do that? Why isn't he in jail? Why didn't he get fired?' And yesterday, 'Why don't they even have control of their own players?'"
Storm got emotional while discussing the impact the league's inaction has had on, particularly in regard to her daughters, Hannah, Ellery and Riley. "So here's a question: What does all of this mean for the future? What does it mean for female fans, whose dollars are so coveted by the NFL, who make up an estimated 45 percent of the NFL's fan base?" she asked. "Are fans and are families, are we as parents supposed to compartmentalize everything that's happening? Are we supposed to simply separate a violent game on the field from violent acts off the field? And if we do, what message does that send?"
"So, here are some more questions: What exactly does zero tolerance mean to the NFL? What does it mean to the coaches, to the [general managers], the owners? What about the NFL [Players Association]?" she asked. "Will the NFL, in all its power, take the lead in the issue of domestic violence?"
Storm, 52, ended her provocative piece by questioning the league's principles. "In the NFL, apparently seeing is believing," she said. "If the NFL and the Ravens had to see that video to be moved to significant action, shouldn't those who support the league demand the same? To see action? To see change before believing as we all wait on the answer to this central question: What exactly does the NFL stand for?"
For more information on domestic abuse or to get help for yourself or someone you love, visit the website for The National Domestic Violence Hotline or call 1-800-799-7233.