As there has been plenty of controversy circulating the NFL for many years, similarly the year of 2022 has witnessed multiple controversies. Based on reports, NFL fans would remember the year based on how their team performed, and on the other hand several events cut across fan bases and provoked jeers and ire from practically everyone.
Ranging from Deshaun Watson’s sexual misconduct allegations to Jerry Jones’ 1957 Little Rock photo, the year is overall said to witness multiple scandals. Here is a look at the controversies that either garnered the most media attention in 2022, or caused the greatest harm to their victims:
- Sexual harassment claims against Deshaun Watson: Deshaun Watson‘s offenses were reported to be one of the biggest controversies in 2021, and they were still big the following year. The most recent developments in what ultimately amounted to about two dozen allegations of sexual misbehaviour or sexual assault against Watson dominated headlines for the majority of the year. As he was traded as well as received NFL-high pay, Watson gradually, however, managed to reduce the criticisms throughout the year. Then, just before the regular season began, it was revealed that his suspension would only last for a portion of 2022.
- Matt Araiza has been accused of taking part in a group rape of a child: Matt Araiza, the Bills’ punter, is said to dazzle spectators with what might have been the year’s best punt during the pre-season. Fans were instantly shocked to learn that being a college student, Araiza was charged with taking part in the gang rape of a minor. Moreover, he was exonerated of the charges, nevertheless, after several months of consideration. Later, he showed interest in joining an NFL franchise and is still said to be looking for an opportunity to work in the NFL.
- Welfare controversy involving Brett Favre: According to CBS Sports, the former Packers quarterback has not been criminally prosecuted. The quarterback, however, faced trouble when CNN reported that he was involved in the theft of at least $5 million in welfare payments for a volleyball facility. Moreover, the claims have been refuted by the quarterback. Numerous supporters could be seen ridiculing the quarterback on social media for using money intended for the underprivileged to finance his endeavours.
- Johnson Jones‘ 1957 Image of Little Rock: The owner of the Dallas Cowboys could be spotted in a photo from 1957 in Little Rock, Arkansas. The circulated image further showed a group of people resisting desegregation, with the owner spotted in the crowd. As a result, this major controversy prompted responses from all corners of the country. Furthermore, the publication of the photograph raised the question if the owner was loyal, or a racist all along.
- An encounter between Aaron Rodgers and Ayahuasca: The controversy surrounding Rodgers entered the top five controversies of the NFL in 2022. As per reports, the quarterback has been reported to make use of a hallucinogenic substance while in Peru in 2020. Even further, he said that it contributed to his multi-year NFC supremacy that made him one of the most feared quarterbacks throughout the regular season but did not carry him to the Super Bowl.
Overall, the year 2022 will be marked for the NFL performance records, and achievements. But, some sort of controversies seems to still exist, which were widely discussed on social media, and other platforms.
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