The injuries to his victim, as listed on wikipedia: strangulation, brain concussion, closed fracture of nasal bone, contusion of rib, multiple bruises, and a neck muscle strain. This was only the first incident.
The second incident, he “threw billiard balls at Johnson’s (same woman as before) car, breaking her windshield while their children were inside the car.”
He’s a child abuser, he’s a domestic abuser, he has no place in this league whatsoever and if the league had any integrity his ban would’ve been announced when the first charges came around.
As a prison abolitionist, I don’t believe that it helps people or society to outright ban an individual from their profession unless the crimes they commit are extraordinary. I actually don’t think banning people and harshly punitive sanctions do anything to actually help rehabilitate Bridges himself, or help his family or anyone involved. Bridges’ wife came out in his defence this summer, which shows how complicated these issues really are for the two of them as perpetrator and victim.
In restorative justice, the idea is that accountability is a process that involves the victim and their wishes, with great care. I can’t speak for Bridges’ wife or her family, but their voices matter more than mine or yours do, regarding this specific matter.
We all want what is best for Bridges and his family and his kids, in the end. I repeat, WE ALL WANT THE BEST FOR THEM GOING FORWARD. Personally, in my opinion, I don’t think the best outcome for him and his family, including his children, will happen by banning him from the NBA for life.