A professional athlete is accused of recently punching a 17-year-old in the face; when the teen's mother tried to intervene, the athlete allegedly attacked the mother.
If that scenario were attached to an NFL player these days, another investigation into the professional player's team, the NFL and commissioner Roger Goodell would be well under way.
Hope Solo's domestic violence charge overshadows her shutout record attempt
But when the professional athlete is U.S. women's soccer goalie Hope Solo, the situation barely registers a blip on the outrage meter.
USA TODAY Sports reported Monday that the United States Olympic Committee issued a statement on the situation involving the U.S. Women's National Team goalie.
Hope Solo's domestic violence charge includes nephew breaking a broom over her head?
"Abuse in all forms is unacceptable," U.S. Olympic Committee chief executive officer Scott Blackmun told USA TODAY Sports in an e-mail Monday evening. "The allegations involving Ms. Solo are disturbing and are inconsistent with our expectations of Olympians. We have had discussions with U.S. Soccer and fully expect them to take action if it is determined that the allegations are true."
What the USOC has not done is deny Solo the opportunity to continue playing while she awaits her trial in November. USA TODAY Sports speculated that the USOC doesn't want to mess with Solo's right to a hearing and due process under the U.S. Amateur Sports Act.
Except that Solo is not an amateur.
CBSSports.com lauded the statement from the USOC, calling it a far cry from the statement U.S. Soccer released to USA TODAY Sports on the Solo situation.
"We are aware that Hope is handling a personal situation at the moment," Neil Buethe, director of communications for U.S. soccer, told USA TODAY prior to the team's recent matches. "At the same time, she has an opportunity to set a significant record that speaks to her hard work and dedication over the years with the National Team. While considering all factors involved, we believe that we should recognize that in the proper way."
Compare that response to the response the NFL received for originally giving Ray Rice a two-game suspension. Hello day? This is night.
USA TODAY Sports' Christine Brennan contacted McDonald's, Anheuser-Busch and Nike - sponsors for both the NFL and U.S. Soccer who have commented on the NFL situation - and asked for a comment on the Solo case.
Only Nike responded, saying it was monitoring the situation.
That's what has Brennan asking about what appears to be a double-standard.
"The cases involving the NFL players and Solo are not entirely parallel, but the common thread of allegations of violence runs among them all. Let's hope that U.S. Soccer and its corporate sponsors are not treating the situations differently because the alleged domestic abuser is a woman, not a man.
"The renowned U.S. women's national soccer team historically has stood for the principle of treating women athletes equally. That should be the case at all times, both good and bad."
Do you think Hope Solo should be allowed to play for the U.S. Women's National Team while she awaits her November trial on domestic violence charges? Comment below or tell us @SportsWN.
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