I can see that this is already a 7 page thread but I'm gonna throw my two pennies worth just because this interests me.
I don't think he should be allowed back on a pro football team considering this really. When you think of the fame and the money he'll receive and the support he'll get from people for getting back into football it just.. it leaves a bad taste in my mouth. It's like the tacit assent from a large institution and vast swathe of people that this is their view on rape: so long as you spend a couple years in prison after forcing yourself on someone and traumatising them for life, we'll still love and adore you afterwards don't worry.
I just don't think he should be allowed that kind of privilege, fame and fortune after committing such a morally depraved act. Yes that might send a message about convicts in general but this is a crime that's particularly traumatising, and especially rife within society with violence against women being something at epidemic levels throughout the western world. Think of how the victim would feel if he becomes a pro footballer again, earning stupid amounts of money? It'll look like nothing more than society giving him a low-key thumbs up despite how he's ruined her life. It's not right, but then I suppose that's rape culture at work. Defend the rapist at the expense of the victim.
