49ers’ Ray McDonald Charged With Domestic Violence

San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Ray McDonald was arrested and charged with felony domestic violence this morning.

According to CBS, McDonald was charged with “inflicting injury on a spouse or cohabitant.” No bail has been set for the NFL player.

Ray McDonald mug shot pic.twitter.com/vax00TWbJz

— Damian Trujillo (@newsdamian) August 31, 2014

Sadly, domestic violence has been a big topic in the NFL this year. Commissioner Roger Goodell recently announced that the league would be handing down harsher punishments to players and other NFL employees who are convicted of domestic abuse. The policy change was made after fans criticized the league for handing down a measly two game suspension to Ray Rice.

Goodell said:

“At times, however, and despite our best efforts, we fall short of our goals. We clearly did so in response to a recent incident of domestic violence. We allowed our standards to fall below where they should be and lost an important opportunity to emphasize our strong stance on a critical issue and the effective programs we have in place. My disciplinary decision led the public to question our sincerity, our commitment, and whether we understood the toll that domestic violence inflicts on so many families. I take responsibility both for the decision and for ensuring that our actions in the future properly reflect our values. I didn’t get it right. Simply put, we have to do better. And we will.”

According to CNN, first time offenders will be hit with a minimum six game suspension. Second time offenders would receive a lifetime ban from the NFL. In addition to facing the wrath of a new NFL, McDonald will also have to face his coach Jim Harbaugh. The 49ers coach may end up cutting McDonald regardless of the league’s punishment.

Safety Donte Whitner said: “(Harbaugh) said that we can do anything in the world and we can come and talk to him and he’ll forgive us except put our hands on women … If you put your hand on a woman, then you’re done in his book.” To make matter’s worse, it appears that Ray McDonald’s victim is pregnant.

Added detail on McDonald from @newsdamian: Alleged victim is pregnant. Goodell cited pregnant victims as criteria for harsher punishment.

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) August 31, 2014

Ray McDonald hasn’t been convicted yet but if he is found guilty… well, it’s safe to say that he may have played his last game with the 49ers.