In the wake of San Francisco 49ers defensive end Ray McDonald being arrested for domestic violence, 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh shared his reaction while saying that the team has no tolerance for domestic abuse.
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Harbaugh appeared on KNBR in San Francisco to discuss McDonald's suspension and the team's stance on domestic abuse.
"There's going to be two principles at play here, and one is, I'll speak for myself, I'll speak for the 49ers, we will not tolerate domestic violence," Harbaugh told the station. "Second principle is we're firm believers in due process. And I ask for your understanding on those two principles."
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It is unknown if McDonald will practice with the team this week or if he'll play when the 49ers visit the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday to kick off their NFL season with Week 1 action. All Harbaugh offered was his opinion on the issue.
"If someone physically abuses a woman and/or physically or mentally abuses or hurts a child, then there's no understanding," he said, "there's no tolerance for that."
McDonald was arrested and jailed on felony domestic violence charges and was in the custody of the Santa Clara, Calif. Sheriff's Department before posting bail Sunday afternoon, after which he said that he couldn't comment on the situation but his character shouldn't be questioned.
"I can't say too much, not right now, but the truth will come out. Everybody knows the kind of person that I am," McDonald said Sunday via ESPN. "I'm a good-hearted person."
Harbaugh stated Tuesday that he doesn't want someone guilty of hitting a woman on his team, so it remains to be seen how this will play out. He also offered comments on the 49ers leading the league with 10 arrests since 2012.
"We're going to do everything in our power to make sure there isn't a pattern forming," he said.
McDonald's arrest comes just days after NFL commissioner Roger Goodell revealed that there will be tougher penalties for domestic violence cases. Goodell announced that a first domestic abuse offense will net the offender a six-game ban while a second will result in a lifetime ban from the NFL.
Goodell's actions came in the wake of public outrage over Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice receiving a two-game ban after allegedly knocking out his then-fiancée and current wife in an elevator in Atlantic City and dragging her unconscious body off of the elevator.
The 49ers will now shift their focus back on the field and looks to further improve on a 12-4 record and second place finish in the NFC West last season. San Francisco is looking to bounce back from a loss to the eventual Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship Game.
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