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The domestic abuse scandals plaguing the NFL have just gotten a lot uglier, and they're dragging many moms' favorite cosmetics into the mud. Makeup brand CoverGirl signed up as the NFL's beauty sponsor long before the Ray Rice abuse video surfaced. Their original concept was fun: Match your makeup colors to your favorite team's colors.
But over the weekend, a photoshopped version of CoverGirl's NFL ad went viral. It shows the model with a violently bruised eye and calls for NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell's resignation with the hashtag #GoodellMustGo. Have you seen this picture?
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#GoodellMustGo: NFL sponsor CoverGirl caught up in bad press tsunami (image Photoshopped) http://t.co/jIc9FtRwkdpic.twitter.com/QphmxQFN89
— PRNewser (@PRNewser) September 15, 2014Wow. It's definitely a powerful image. And the person or people who created it have remained anonymous so far.
The photoshopped mock ad is also being used to demand the cosmetics company drop their partnership with the NFL.
So -- is it working to raise awareness about the issue? Is it driving people to take action in calling for Goodell's resignation? Or will it backfire? We'll have to wait and see. But so far the provocative fake ad has definitely got everyone talking. Since the Ray Rice scandal, another NFL player has been exposed for domestic violence: Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson has been accused of child abuse.
Meanwhile, CoverGirl responded to the NFL scandal via a Facebook post, saying:
As a brand that has always supported women and stood for female empowerment, COVERGIRL believes domestic violence is completely unacceptable. We developed our NFL program to celebrate the more than 80 million female football fans. In light of recent events, we have encouraged the NFL to take swift action on their path forward to address the issue of domestic violence.
It's surely in bad taste to make jokes about the NFL "covering up" its record of allowing abusive players to continue being on their teams. Women have been using makeup to cover up bruises left by their attackers since the invention of cosmetics. This mock ad is a painful reminder of that practice, and I'm sure it's raised terrible memories for many victims of domestic abuse.
One thing we do know: Unfortunately, domestic abuse will still be around long after the controversy surrounding the NFL has blown over.
What do you think of the mock ad -- does it go too far, or is it smart and effective?
Image via CoverGirl
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
