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CoverGirl caught up in NFL domestic violence controversy

By Jennifer Brett
Sept 16, 2014

A CoverGirl ad rendered to portray a victim of domestic violence has gone viral and some are now demanding the cosmetics company yank its endorsement deals with the NFL amid controversy over former Baltimore Ravens player Ray Rice.

The company has responded to the grassroots campaign with a statement:

"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."

But that's insufficient for some consumers.

"Maybe encourage them by dropping your sponsorship," Peter Rabover  posted on the brand's official Facebook page. "Otherwise you're just enabling them."
"Unless you pull your sponsorship and make a stand, then you're basically enabling and supporting the situation and this post means nothing, in my opinion," Rebecca Guzel  posted. "What's more important? Actions speak louder than words."

The NFL also took action, suspending Rice indefinitely.

Janay Rice issued a statement via her Instagram page that read in part:

 "No one knows the pain that the media & unwanted options from the public has caused my family. To make us relive a moment in our lives that we regret every day is a horrible thing. To take something away from the man I love that he has worked his ass of for all his life just to gain ratings is horrific. THIS IS OUR LIFE! What don't you all get. If your intentions were to hurt us, embarrass us, make us feel alone, take all happiness away, you've succeeded on so many levels." 

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