Don’t Expect To See Joe Mixon In An Oakland Raiders Uniform

The Oakland Raiders appear to be in the market for a new running back, but there is one name that’s very unlikely to be in a Silver and Black jersey.

Given that the Oakland Raiders appear content to let running back Latavius Murray depart as a free agent, they are left with a big hole in their backfield. Second-year backs Jalen Richard and DeAndre Washington are left, as is Jamize Olawale, whose role moving forward may be in a bit of fluc. But in Murray, there is no doubt the team is losing its workhorse.

Which would seem to indicate that they will be looking to add a big-bodied back either through free agency, or the draft.

Ever since it became obvious that the Raiders weren’t going to sign Murray to an extension, the names of potential replacements started coming in fast and furious. Many want to see Leonard Fournette. Others want to see Christian McCaffrey. Still others hope to hear Dalvin Cook‘s name called out.

And shockingly enough, there are some out there lobbying for the Raiders to draft Oklahoma Sooner running back Joe Mixon.

It’s as if they didn’t hear team owner Mark Davis clearly enough the first time. Or the second time. Or are just choosing to ignore it.

When it comes to violence against women, Davis has a zero tolerance policy. He made it clear when Ray Rice‘s name was connected to the Raiders and he reiterated that position when Greg Hardy surfaced as a rumored addition to the Silver and Black.

"“It’s just something we can’t tolerate. I don’t know how to fix it in society but I know we can’t have it on our team.”"

If you’re unfamiliar with the case, in 2014, Sooners running back Joe Mixon got into an argument with a woman named Amelia Molitor. Her claim is that Mixon had made “unwanted sexual advances” toward her and the situation “escalated” when he used a gay slur toward her friend.

She stood up for him and Mixon, instead of walking away from a situation that was clearly going sideways very quickly, punched her in the face. The punch broke multiple bones in Molitor’s face and severely injured her.

Ever since then, it’s been a he-said/she-said affair with witnesses for one side contradicting the other. Unfortunately for Mixon, the one thing that is clear is the fact that video surveillance shows him dropping Molitor with his punch.

A la Ray Rice.

Mixon has recently expressed his regret for the incident and says it’s something he’s “had to live with” every day since that night and that it’s “haunted” him.

Golly. Poor Joe. Though, one would imagine that what he has “had to live with” pales in comparison to something like, say – broken bones in one’s face?

At best, this shows incredibly poor decision making and thought process on his part. At worst, it shows that he has a penchant for violence – including against women who are much smaller than he is. Which is and should continue to be a problem for him.

Mixon was refused an invitation to the Combine because of the incident. Though, he will be in town and will be meeting with teams to discuss possible employment. In a just world, Mixon would never get a sniff of the NFL. But this isn’t always a just world and because Mixon is very good at what he does, he’s going to get a shot somewhere.

Violence against women is a real problem in our society. And the number of excuses made for those who have a talent or athletic ability is appalling. Which is why Mark Davis’ line in the sand against employing those who commit such an act is both unique and absolutely applause-worthy.

If only the other 31 team owners, and owners in other professional sports leagues, would stand with him and take a hard line against domestic abusers and those who commit violence against women – perhaps then, some things would begin to change.

Unfortunately, the sports world is driven by the almighty dollar and somebody like a Joe Mixon will put butts in the seats because of his talents.

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The only reason Ray Rice didn’t get another shot was because his skills were in decline at the time his infamous video came out. Hardy got a shot but proved to be less impactful than Dallas thought he would be, and more of a headache – and he hasn’t sniffed the NFL since.

Mixon will unfortunately get a shot somewhere. But don’t expect that place to be Oakland. Davis drew a line in the sand and should be praised for it.