Showtime’s Inside The NFL thought Brandon Marshall might make headlines while working as a player-analyst this year. It turns out they came on the first show when he discussed his personal issues with domestic violence.
I wrote about Marshall’s debut and spending his off-day in New York for the Chicago Tribune. You also can access the story from my Twitter feed at @Sherman_Report.
From the story:
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Brandon Marshall kept his word that nothing was off-limits during his first appearance on “Inside The NFL” on Showtime Tuesday. That included talking about the league’s new policy on domestic violence.
The Bears receiver candidly weighed in on the issue from a personal perspective in his new role as a regular analyst on the show. Marshall was twice arrested for domestic violence allegations, but was acquitted in one case and the charges were dropped in the other. He was suspended for three games in 2007 for personal conduct violations.
When Boomer Esiason asked if the new policy had been in place back then, would it have been a deterrent for Marshall, he replied he “really didn’t see fault in myself” as a young player and there was a possibility he could have been hit with a lifetime ban for a second violation.
Marshall said he was a product of a volatile home environment as a child and that contributed to his problems.
“I’m just thankful where I’m in a position where I can take my story and tell these guys, ‘Listen, you don’t have to be a product of your environment,” Marshall said. “…I went from being a problem in the locker room to being a guy where not only players, but coaches and executives come to me for advice. How we can change procedures to help these guys.”
Showtime sports general manager Stephen Espinoza said Marshall was apprised of the show’s complete rundown, including the domestic violence issue, during a call Monday afternoon.
“As we expected, he was willing to take on all topics,” said Espinoza after a taping of the show. “He spoke in a very authentic and honest way.”
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I was on tight deadline for my story. Dan Wiederer, one of the Tribune’s beat reporters for the Bears, followed up with a post with more extensive quotes from Marshall.
Boomer Esiason: Brandon, I know you were arrested and you were suspended three games for domestic violence. How would these rules today apply to you when you played?
Marshall: Honestly, I really couldn’t answer that. Back then, I was the type of guy who really didn’t see the fault in myself. First, I think this is an amazing platform for all of us. The NFL has this following and an ability to be able to shape and mold a country, a world. So I really appreciate what the NFL has done, led by the commissioner. But my only issue is that we make sure that we’re not judge and jury and let the process take its course.
For me, it’s a very personal perspective. I come from an environment where it wasn’t the family that prayed together, stayed together. It was the family that fought against each other stayed together. I saw women as the aggressors. I saw men as the aggressors. And I think the first half of my career really painted a picture of me being a product of my environment. So I’m just thankful that now I’m in a position where I can take my story and tell these guys, ‘Listen, man, you don’t have to be a product of your environment. That is the wrong path.’