H. Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence: “Choose Respect”: In 2014 the headlines were filled with issues of Domestic Violence within the professional sports world. From NFL players Ray Rice and Adrian Peterson, to Boston Celtics Jared Sullinger in the NBA. Domestic Violence charges were prevalent in MLB as well with New York Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez and in the NHL Avalanche goaltender Semyon Varlamov. Like it or not professional sports figures are roll models for our children and basic human behavior.
The Seattle Mariners and WSCADV (Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence) have for the last 10 years been on the for front and dedicated to ending Domestic Violence. The M’s were the first team in organized professional sports to utilizes the power of their players to “speak out’ against domestic violence.
Refuse to Abuse. Choose Respect.
This campaign brought together Cy Young winner Felix Hernandez, Mariners skipper Lloyd McClendon, and Kyle Seager to lend their voices to this most important cause.
The campaign received the coveted Major League Baseball’s 2014 Commissioner’s Award for Philanthropic Excellence (CAPE). The award, from Commissioner Bud Selig, was given at the MLB owners meeting on November 20th 2014.
In this latest award, the M’s were lauded for the team’s “Refuse To Abuse. Choose Respect” Domestic Violence Prevention Program, a state-wide educational initiative in partnership with the Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Mariners Care, the M’s charitable program, will receive a $10,000 grant from Major League Baseball Charities as part of this recognition.
Refuse to Abuse.
Choose Respect, because there is no excuse for domestic violence.
