“The Come Correct Foundation was started to help young athletes realize the impact domestic violence charges can have on their college and professional aspirations. When we do presentations with high school teams, we always ask, ‘How many of you guys think you OWN your girlfriend?’ and we see uncomfortably large numbers raise their hands. They feel like they can tell their woman where to go, who to be with, what to do. Because of such feelings, the guy thinks nothing of putting his hands on ‘his woman’ in the heat of an argument, particularly if she provokes or attacks him first. It's his right of 'ownership.'
“Within the last 10 years in the NFL alone, there have been 89 incidents of domestic abuse involving 80 different athletes. We want to have conversations about this issue with high school guys before they ruin their lives; they don’t realize that even a single domestic abuse arrest can have serious implications. A lot of them think they’re untouchable. They’re used to having their bad behavior winked at because they’re superb athletes, and we tell them straight out: ‘When you enter the university and professional level, they aren’t just looking at your athletic ability. If you have a domestic violence history, you’re a liability. You could cost them money and embarrassment. They don’t want you.' On the moral side, domestic violence is wrong; we all know that. But since the Ray Rice case, professional leagues are forced to deal with the issue aggressively and the consequences are much greater. There really is a business to being an athlete. You stand to lose millions of dollars. You stand to lose your education, your freedom, your life.
“One thing that always shocks these guys is hearing that it's wisest not to retaliate at all, even if a woman initiates the confrontation. Men don’t want to feel that they got their ass kicked by a girl; they’re afraid they’ll lose their street cred. So they strike back. And the law says you have the right to defend yourself from the aggressor, no matter the gender. The moral code, however, says a man cannot hit a girl. So if you get into a domestic dispute---even if a female has initiated it---and your retaliation exceeds her initial contact, you’re going to jail. The guys ask, ‘So if she hits me in the face and I hit her back, I’m the one who’ll be arrested?’ And our answer is: that’s right. The police will take one look at the strength and size difference between the two of you, and you’ll be the one wearing silver bracelets. Enforcement of the law leans heavily on the side of the female. It may not be right, but it’s the reality of the situation. And the first charge can lead to an escalating cycle of increased consequences for the man involved.
“We want these young men to understand that they can get themselves into something that’s almost impossible to get out of. They have to stop, take a breath, and THINK. They need to call the police and walk away from a domestic violence situation before they lay their hands on anybody. Young men have to understand that as athletes they have a responsibility to themselves to be upstanding. For some of them, sports may be their ticket out of poverty, and we want them to realize what they stand to lose. Somebody has to start the conversation.”
“Within the last 10 years in the NFL alone, there have been 89 incidents of domestic abuse involving 80 different athletes. We want to have conversations about this issue with high school guys before they ruin their lives; they don’t realize that even a single domestic abuse arrest can have serious implications. A lot of them think they’re untouchable. They’re used to having their bad behavior winked at because they’re superb athletes, and we tell them straight out: ‘When you enter the university and professional level, they aren’t just looking at your athletic ability. If you have a domestic violence history, you’re a liability. You could cost them money and embarrassment. They don’t want you.' On the moral side, domestic violence is wrong; we all know that. But since the Ray Rice case, professional leagues are forced to deal with the issue aggressively and the consequences are much greater. There really is a business to being an athlete. You stand to lose millions of dollars. You stand to lose your education, your freedom, your life.
“One thing that always shocks these guys is hearing that it's wisest not to retaliate at all, even if a woman initiates the confrontation. Men don’t want to feel that they got their ass kicked by a girl; they’re afraid they’ll lose their street cred. So they strike back. And the law says you have the right to defend yourself from the aggressor, no matter the gender. The moral code, however, says a man cannot hit a girl. So if you get into a domestic dispute---even if a female has initiated it---and your retaliation exceeds her initial contact, you’re going to jail. The guys ask, ‘So if she hits me in the face and I hit her back, I’m the one who’ll be arrested?’ And our answer is: that’s right. The police will take one look at the strength and size difference between the two of you, and you’ll be the one wearing silver bracelets. Enforcement of the law leans heavily on the side of the female. It may not be right, but it’s the reality of the situation. And the first charge can lead to an escalating cycle of increased consequences for the man involved.
“We want these young men to understand that they can get themselves into something that’s almost impossible to get out of. They have to stop, take a breath, and THINK. They need to call the police and walk away from a domestic violence situation before they lay their hands on anybody. Young men have to understand that as athletes they have a responsibility to themselves to be upstanding. For some of them, sports may be their ticket out of poverty, and we want them to realize what they stand to lose. Somebody has to start the conversation.”
Scheduling a Presentation
Come Correct presentations are geared to high school and college sports teams and address the moral, financial, and career implications of domestic abuse. Presentations are available to any athletic group or in any public or private school in Shelby County. There is no charge. Email Jennifer or Leroy to schedule: [email protected]
Jennifer Conroy, Mother / Coach / Athlete / Writer / Broadcaster / Photographer
Leroy Watson, Athlete / Writer / Broadcaster
Facebook: Come Correct Foundation
Email: [email protected]
- Writer for All Heart in Hoop City (online Memphis Grizzlies blog)
Leroy Watson, Athlete / Writer / Broadcaster
- Writer for Memphis Rivals, online talent evaluation site
- Host of iPreps radio show, AM 730, MWF 1-3 pm all about high school athletics
Facebook: Come Correct Foundation
Email: [email protected]
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