The Ray McDonald 49ers' Story Has Nothing To Do With Sports; That's Why They Still Call it the Toy Department; Thursday First Take

 Sports-Talk Radio Hosts should stay away from the Ray McDonald story.

This is NOT a sports story--it's a legal issue that involves an athlete who plays professional football for the 49ers.

Well, until now.

Too many times, sports pundits; the entire sports medium; has no business discussing legal issues because they have no idea what the hell they're talking about--worse yet, they interject sports into the legal arena and it sounds both out of place and foolish.

That's why they still say, in journalism, sports is the toy department.

Just yesterday on KNBR I heard a guy--can't remember who--say that McDonald seemed to be "playing better since his prior legal case wasn't brought forward since the DA had no evidence"--it sounded ridiculous because the host, clearly out of place and out of mind, tried to make a non-sports point. It was both inappropriate and stupid; furthermore, it trivialized what was, and is, very serious potential criminal charges against the player, but it has nothing to do with sports. Nothing.

Too many times, we see this play out on a daily basis --the only real element of the Ray McDonald story that makes sense from a sporting standpoint is how the 49ers dealt with it before and after--Lowell Cohn of the Press-Democrat breaks that down in a very good piece about the idea of "due process." Cohn spells out some legitimate questions--it's pretty much devoid of sports as it should be and is well written.

This issue is an across-the-board indictment--it's not just the sports-talk radio hosts; it involves the TV and radio guys too. I like what ESPN does; (and me complimenting ESPN is rare)--they hired Roger Cossack, a legal analyst who does a great job breaking down cases for the laymen public. It's not only informative and interesting--more importantly it provides the proper illustration without the use of sports dialogue. ESPN, to their credit, seems to get it. Others, unfortunately, are out of the loop.

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Lots of Live Shots in Front of 49ers' Ray McDonald's House

 Sports Talk shows, Live Shots Galore, Bay Area water cooler event--even trumped latest Storm Watch reports.

The 49ers are probably not thrilled with this.

Just a guess ...

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Michael Cardoza: 'Charges Will Be Filed Against 49ers Player, Ray McDonald';

 Michael Cardoza is a noted criminal defense attorney and former prosecutor. You've probably seen him on TV as he's done a lot of legal analysis for CNN, Fox, and KTVU, here locally.

Cardoza didn't just walk in off the street--he's been practicing law for over 40 years and knows his stuff.

I asked him about Ray McDonald, the 49ers lineman, who was arrested recently but has yet to be charged.

Cardoza told me directly that McDonald would be charged even though there's a perception from some, rightly or wrongly, that the Santa Clara County DA's office is thought to be lenient.

"The real question, will he be charged because there is enough evidence or because of the national spotlight on domestic violence despite lack of evidence", says Cardoza.

So, I asked him further, Will the Ray Rice case have an impact on the DA's decision? "Absolutely, it will--expect to see him, (McDonald), in a criminal court."


Cardoza's prediction is significant only because there's been a noticeable lack of news regarding McDonald's legal status. The DA, I assume, when it gets the case, will interview witnesses and, presumably, talk to police and examine the evidence.


We'll know soon enough.
Updated/Edited: 5: 29 AM 9-13-14






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Radnich Comedy Act on KNBR Sprinkled In Even on McDonald Domestic Violence Allegations

 To Gary Radnich everything is just a barrel of laughs no matter what the subject, even domestic violence allegations.

Radnich returned to KNBR from his vacation Monday morning and couldn't help himself with his own style of reacting to the news of Ray McDonald's arrest on Sunday.

The arrest involved 49ers player, McDonald allegedly beating his pregnant fiancé. The facts aren't totally clear now, but what the general public has heard thus far isn't pretty. We're now due for yet another lengthy legal process but right now the 49ers and, namely, McDonald are in the limelight for all the wrong reasons.

Worse yet, KNBR, per usual, shows its amateur light when it comes to matters of serious nature that don't involve the Giants and fanfests. Moreover, Radnich's sprinkling of faux anger over McDonald's alleged behavior rings hollow, just another backdrop to his shameful Don Rickles act. Deplorable.

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