Eagles' Matthews: NFL can't claim integrity without addressing domestic violence

Philadelphia Eagles wideout Jordan Matthews says the NFL's ongoing issues with punishing players for domestic violence contradict the league's stated concern about protecting the integrity of the game.

The latest scandal involves New York Giants kicker Josh Brown, who was suspended for one game to start the season for a May 2015 incident with his then-wife. It came to light this week that Brown had admitted to a series of abusive events in a March 2014 letter - evidence the NFL should have had access to when disciplining Brown this summer.

The league now says it has reopened the investigation and more discipline is possible. The sequence of events - a light punishment, followed by the revelation that the league should have known more about what happened, followed by the possibility of additional punishment - is reminiscent of the Ray Rice case.

Matthews told Eliot Shorr-Parks of NJ.com that the NFL can't claim integrity unless it finally gets serious about punishing domestic violence.

"They always use the words they want to protect the integrity of the game. I think it is always looked at as the integrity of the football game. Obviously, if somebody makes a mistake like Lane (Johnson) did, or even if somebody does it intentionally if they might try to do something to get an edge, then yes, that can affect a game. So obviously there are some disciplines that should take place," Matthews said.

"But then when we talk about the integrity of the game, and the (NFL) shield ... you talk about the values that you want to instill in families that actually watch us and look up to us. Then it sends the wrong message that every single time there is an incident with domestic violence or something where there is a physical altercation, especially with a lady ... it never seems like there is a really big punishment handed down.

"Even with the Ray Rice incident, nothing was really serious until there was public outrage or until the video came out. But my thing is, why do people have to see something for there to be actual steps taken?"

Matthews' question is one that many NFL fans are asking, too.