The Facts About Crime Rates In Pro Sports This 2022

Published March 7, 2022
Ten NFL players have been arrested or charged in the last couple of months of 2022. Some NFL players with criminal records are alleged with child abuse, murder, gun possession, assault and battery, drug possession, and driving while intoxicated. Other athletes are currently serving time in prison for more serious offenses.
What Are The Facts
Professional sports are generally less violent than the rest of the world. The misdeeds of a few have damaged the NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB, with the impression that they promote cultures of misbehavior and violence. Professional sports-related crimes often make the news. A few athletes can reflect a poor image on a team or league.
NFL players, for instance, are more law-abiding than their non-league counterparts. The NFL players with criminal records rates are statistically lower than average, and NFL crime figures have been steadily declining since 2006.
The following is a list of professional sports athletes arrested for violence or drug-related offenses in the last three years:
- NHL has the best-behaved players
- Baseball has the second-lowest rate of arrest and the least violent crime incidences of any sport. However, MLB arrests are commonly for driving under the influence.
- The NBA is the smallest league among America’s four major sports. On the other hand, Basketball players had the highest arrest rate of the four, with domestic abuse leading the list of charges.
- The FBI reports that the NFL player arrest rate is 1 in 45. Non-players make up about 1 in 23 arrests on a national level.
- NHL and MLB players have a low rate of domestic abuse arrests.
- The NBA and NFL arrests have the widest range of offenses—domestic abuse, reckless driving or behavior, DUI, assault and battery, and drug-related crimes.
Even though athletes are statistically less violent than the average population, concerned league authorities and players’ unions are examining the crime problem. According to experts’ theories, the violent tendencies of some players are because of the sport; they have been encouraged to be strong and rewarded for aggression for years. The NFL launched an ad campaign condemning domestic abuse following a recent surge in arrests of professional athletes.
NFL Player Arrests In 2022
These are recent NFL player arrested charges:
- Chris Lammons – suspected battery
- Deshazor Everett – accused of speeding, leading to accident and girlfriend’s death on Dec. 23, 2021
- Alvin Kamara – suspected battery
- Damon Arnette – accused of assault with a deadly weapon and drug possession
- Willie Gay – accused of misdemeanor property damage
- Malik McDowell – accused of fighting a law enforcement officer and resisting arrest
- Lerentee McCray – an officer tried to pull him over for speeding; police recovered a gun and marijuana in his vehicle
- Geno Smith – pulled over for speeding; suspected of drunk driving
- Nate Hobbs – accused of drunk driving
- Bud Dupree – accused of misdemeanor assault

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What Causes Athletes Violent Behaviors
The majority of violent behaviors are connected with alcohol or drug abuse. Each of the four leagues has strict substance abuse regulations, including testing for performance-enhancing drugs and steroids. Baseball and football have recently strengthened their rules and associated consequences. Players will be tested more frequently, penalties will be increased, and suspension or expulsion from the league may happen more quickly.
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About The Author
Krizzia Paolyn is an SEO Specialist with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. It has always been her passion to share her voice, and at the same time, to encourage other people to speak up.