Oakland Raiders owner Mark Davis speaks on domestic violence issue in NFL

Aug 22, 2014; Green Bay, WI, USA; Oakland Raiders owner Mark Davis signs an autograph before the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

This week has been a tough one in the National Football League, but for the Oakland Raiders franchise the issue of domestic violence has had a far darker impact in the history of the team. Oakland’s dark history with the impact of domestic violence came through the tragic killing of the daughter of legendary wide receiver Fred Biletnikoff, who saw her life end by a killing in the sad end of s an abusive relationship with her killer who was her boyfriend.

Tracey Biletnikoff was strangled to death, and her killinh was a tragic day for a franchise that has supported their former wideout in the healing process from that day as the Biletnikoff Foundation has received plenty of help from the Raiders in helping to heal victims of domestic violence. So it is safe to say that the Raiders as a franchise are well aware of the serious impact domestic violence can have.

With that in mind, Davis addressed the issue when speaking to Jerry McDonald of Inside Bay Area, hoping that people use the Rice scandal to focus on the epidemic of domestic violence that costs so many lives each year.

From McDonald:

"The Ray Rice domestic violence story hit home with Raiders owner Mark Davis, who has strong feelings about the issue and rejects the characterization that NFL teams aren’t doing anything about it.“The Raiders have been aware of domestic violence for more than 15 years,” Davis told this newspaper Friday. “In 1999, Fred Biletnikoff’s daughter — a member of our family — was murdered by her boyfriend, who was abusing her.”Tracey Biletnikoff, 20, was strangled by Mohammad Haroon Ali at a drug rehabilitation center in February of 1999. Fred Biletnikoff, and his wife, Angela, started the Biletnikoff Foundation, which provides support to young women recovering from substance abuse and education for the prevention of domestic violence.The Raiders, Davis said, have actively supported the Biletnikoff Foundation through their annual golf tournament as well as an annual fundraising crab feed.The Biletnikoff Foundation also works with STAND!, which has helped more than 15,000 crisis victims and their children by offering emergency shelter, counseling, support groups and transitional housing.Davis said he is dismayed the focus has been on NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and his handling of the issue instead of the problem of domestic violence itself.“The important thing is that the focus is now on domestic violence,” Davis said. “Let’s work to prevent it.”"

The Raiders as a franchise haven’t been perfect citizens just as any other NFL franchise, but the reminder of how serious domestic violence can be from the tragic murder of Tracey Biletnikoff. Knowing how the issue can ruin lives, Davis hopes that the league can help prevent the problem of domestic violence that harms and kills so many. Ray Rice’s suspension seems justified when looking at the message it sends to hopefully stop domestic violence not just in the NFL, but beyond as a message is being sent that violence towards women is not tolerated in our society.