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Ahmad Brooks has got to go. The San Francisco 49ers have made a colossal mistake by allowing him to remain a part of their roster.
This morning it was reported that former 49ers defensive end Ray McDonald was arrested again, this time time not only for domestic violence but also possible child endangerment.
McDonald was released from the team in December after it was announced that he would be investigated for sexual assault. Earlier that same year he had been arrested for domestic violence and the new accusations were the final nails in his coffin for the 49ers.
While the team made the right move in cutting McDonald, currently a Chicago Bear, the 49ers have failed to show a standard of expectations and consistency concerning off the field behavior.
The 49ers need to set a precedent for their team in order to be taken seriously. A player like Aldon Smith, who was arrested multiple times before the team cut McDonald, is reportedly on his last chance with Trent Baalke and Jed York. Smith is one of the most valuable players on the team, but has repeatedly shown a pattern of reckless and inexcusable behavior off the field.
Another such player plaguing the team is Brooks.
Brooks was accused this May of sexual assault in the same incident the 49ers used as cause to release McDonald.
Roger Goodell and the NFL as a whole have failed entirely on making a statement against domestic violence. Ridiculous and petty slaps on the wrist have been issued to players like the former Baltimore Raven Ray Rice, who was initially only suspended two games for his horrendous acts against his then fiancee, now wife.
The 49ers are responsible for making their own impact. The team is currently in a critical rebuilding period after suffering multiple exits, retirements and injuries in a small amount of time. What more can the 49ers handle?
Can the team afford to cut Brooks from an already injured and lacking roster? The short answer? They have no choice. Sometimes the action warrants a harsh reaction. In this case, whatever Brooks is accused of doing, the 49ers are accused of condoning.
While the team needs the talent, they don’t need the drama. Taking a stand against violence towards women should take priority over retaining the services of a player who is dragging the name of an already suffering franchise through the mud. Even if Brooks were found to be innocent, he still chose to insert himself into a situation that became a liability to the team. In this case, mere guilt by association raises cause for his release.
The 49ers are failing themselves, their fans and the NFL by keeping Brooks on board. While he should have been gone as soon as the allegations broke, they still have a chance to redeem themselves and to set a new standard of behavior moving forward.
Related Articles: San Francisco 49ers Must Part Ways With Ahmad Brooks in Light of Sexual Assault
Kelsey Kay is a San Francisco 49ers analyst for Rant Sports. Follow her on Twitter @kelseyykayyy, “Like” her on Facebook or add her to your network on Google.
