After The Whistle: How NFL Games Affect Domestic Violence Rates

NFL games bring people from all over the United States together to show their love for the game, creating an atmosphere where diverse cultures, backgrounds, and traditions unite through a shared passion and excitement leading up to the Super Bowl. However, we have also seen many violent encounters over the years as some fans go rogue.

Just this NFL football season alone, we’ve seen fans brawl at the Chargers-Raiders game, leaving one person unconscious [i], and a man during a Falcons-Saints game being pushed to the ground and having his head stomped on [ii]. These are only some of the events that have been caught on camera, and with the season underway, it makes you wonder what happens behind closed doors.

The connection between football and domestic violence isn’t uncommon. A study shows that police receive increased calls reporting domestic violence every Sunday during football season [iii]. Researchers analyzed over 700 cities and counties using data from the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) of police reports, revealing that these spikes are linked to teams losing a game [iii]. In fact, domestic violence incidents rise by about 10% on days when NFL games are played, usually occurring in family homes and most of the time affecting women [iii]. This shows that the outcomes of football games can have a real impact on people’s lives off the field. It’s important for fans, teams, and communities to recognize these patterns and work together to raise awareness and prevent domestic violence from happening, especially during football season.

IDENTIFYING SYMPTOMS & SIGNS OF DOMESTIC ABUSE

We might not always be able to tell if we are being abused. This is because it doesn’t just target a person in a physical way, but also a way to control and manipulate their mind, often leaving them in a state of confusion about what’s really happening. It’s also important to remember that domestic violence doesn’t discriminate, it affects people of all backgrounds, regardless of financial status, education level, or race. Abuse can affect each person differently, making it sometimes difficult to identify.

Here are some key signs to look out for:

Emotional and Psychological Abuse

Isolation: They are purposely distancing you from people close to you, such as family and friends [iv].
Controlling: They start telling you what to do, wanting to know who you see, and making decisions for you without your consent [iv].
Unnecessary Comments: They will start insulting or even humiliating you, often in the context of a joke [iv].
Manipulation: They start making you question your own thoughts and reality [iv].

Physical Abuse

Physical Harm: Noticing a pattern of bruises, marks on the body that resemble a belt or rope, or prints that look human, such as bite marks [v].
Unusual Behavior: Having trouble remembering how you got injuries, flinching when you hear loud noises, and coming up with a fake explanation for how the injury occurred [v].

WHAT’S THE ROOT CAUSE?

There are many factors that can lead to domestic violence, like alcohol, intense emotions, and financial stress from problems like gambling. These things often overlap and make situations even harder to handle. Understanding how these factors work together is important because it helps us see how complicated issues like domestic abuse can be.

Alcohol has been a staple in sports, especially football culture. While it’s not the direct cause of domestic violence, it can intoxicate your system and make you lose control, increasing the chances of domestic violence happening. According to the Harris Poll, about 84% of Americans say they drink alcohol while watching football, which is the highest percentage compared to any other sport [vi]. Alcohol and intimate partner violence (IPV) often go hand in hand, with studies showing that 10-15% of American women experience IPV [vii]. Alcohol can play a role by impairing judgment, intensifying aggressive tendencies, and creating a sense of control in the abuser, which can escalate violent behaviors. Even though alcohol doesn’t directly cause domestic violence, it’s often used as an excuse and can make abusive tendencies even worse. In fact, alcohol is involved in 40-60% of domestic violence cases [viii], and men with alcohol problems are 2 to 4 times more likely to abuse their partners. Also, women in abusive relationships often struggle with substance use, sometimes because their partners force them into it [ix].

Gambling can be very addictive, bringing in many people into a cycle that they can’t break, affecting their mental health. Research shows that domestic violence rates can increase by 10% after a football team experiences an unexpected loss, especially in states where sports betting is legal. [x]. A study from the University of Oregon highlighted that this rise in intimate partner violence is even more pronounced in states with mobile sports betting [x]. When fans lose money on a bet, and also after an unexpected loss, their emotions like frustration and anger can escalate, creating a dangerous environment for those around them. The ease of placing bets through mobile apps only adds to the problem, making it easier for fans to gamble from home and increasing both their financial and emotional stress.

Another reason for domestic violence could be many fans looking up to these professional football players as well since some of them do have a history of domestic violences. With 72% of children looking up to these professional football players [xi], their actions whether it’s on or off the field hold significant weight.

The NFL has faced many issues with players that have been involved in domestic abuse cases. Since 2000, 134 players have been arrested for domestic violence, making it the most common criminal charge among them [xi]. This creates a harmful cycle where the actions of these players, both good and bad, have a big impact on fans and young viewers. When professional athletes, who are often seen as role models, are involved in domestic violence cases, it sends the wrong message that this kind of behavior is somehow okay or doesn’t have real consequences. This not only damages the reputation of the sport but also normalizes these behaviors for fans, especially those who look up to these players. The NFL has a responsibility to address this issue, not only to protect victims but also to set a good example for the millions of fans, especially young people, who look up to their players.

Remember

If you ever find yourself in a situation where you feel unsafe, remember that there are resources and programs to provide support and a path to safety. You are not alone, and help is always here. The list down below are lists of organizations around the nation offering support for women facing domestic abuse, including cases that may be influenced by the intensity and dynamics surrounding sporting events. They provide counseling, safety planning, and connections to local resources such as shelters and legal support, offering a lifeline for women navigating abuse in these contexts: