49ers' Harbaugh Says Team Won't Keep A Player Guilty Of Domestic Violence
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) – San Francisco 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh reiterated Tuesday that the team will not tolerate domestic violence.
Harbaugh gave his comments and maintained a firm stance about the topic during his radio segment on KNBR-AM, two days after 49ers defensive tackle Ray McDonald was arrested on felony domestic violence charges.
"You ask me how I feel about domestic violence. I can be very clear about that," Harbaugh said. "If someone physically abuses a woman and/or physically or mentally abuses or hurts a child, then there's no understanding. There's no tolerance for that."
McDonald, 30, is out on $25,000 bail following his arrest in an upscale San Jose neighborhood early Sunday. Police say they plan to provide more details about the arrest Tuesday. McDonald's arrest came after NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced tougher penalties for players accused of domestic violence, including a six-week suspension for a first offense and at least a year for a second.
The move followed scrutiny over Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice's two-game penalty stemming from his arrest on an assault charge in February.
While Harbaugh cautioned against any rush to judgment regarding McDonald's arrest, he also said Tuesday that he would not allow any player who was found guilty of domestic violence on his team.
"Yes, we would not. We can be very clear (on that)," Harbaugh said.
The coach also did not rule out McDonald, an eight-year veteran, from practicing Tuesday as the 49ers prepare for their season opener Sunday at Dallas.
Harbaugh said he did not know all of the details surrounding McDonald's arrest, who is scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 15.
"This is a legal matter. I think we all owe, to everyone involved, the ability for due process to take place," Harbaugh said. "All the questions you could ask me, I understand why you're asking, but this is a process that has to conducted, has to be concluded, and then we'll be in a better place in time to have this discussion and or make judgments."
McDonald's arrest came two days after linebacker Aldon Smith received a nine-game suspension for violations of the NFL substance-abuse and personal-conduct policies.
When asked about the 49ers having players arrested an NFL-high 10 times since 2012, Harbaugh said Tuesday that the team is doing "everything in our power to make sure there isn't a pattern forming."
"I as a coach, the organization, the other coaches, have made it a point and we'll continue to make it a point of emphasis of good conduct, 100 percent of the time," Harbaugh said. "We believe it's personal. We believe it's part of our responsibility."
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