Former NFL Player Zac Stacy, accused of beating his girlfriend, may have been a victim of bullying.
The arrest of Zachary Latrell Stacy former NFL player, known as Zac Stacy offered no surprises to the social media community that viewed the disturbing video , reportedly showing him beating his ex-girlfriend in front of their 5-month-old son in Florida on November 13, 2021.
In an interview with reporter Anika Hope of WESH2 TV in Orange County, Florida, Kristin Evans, ex-girlfriend of Stacy, shared her story of the incident, and her fear of him bonding out, which would lead to possible retaliation of reporting the crime. In the interview, Evans admitted that the abuse began in early May 2021, but failed to report the abuse to authorities. Evans was quoted saying, “He has bullied me for so long and put me in a mental state where at one point, I believed it was my fault.”
As a survivor of her recent domestic violence incident, Evans developed a GoFundMe page in an effort to raise awareness about domestic violence.
According to the CNN article adults serving as perpetrators of bullying, are most likely victims of childhood bullying, troubling childhood experiences and adolescent bullying.
Quinn (2015) discusses that people who brutally attach others with violence, without treatment or mental health services, are experiencing unhealed trauma, neglect, and abuse in their backgrounds that will lead to adult abuse in relationships.
In an interview with former NFL Player Anthony Harris Harris became visibly upset while viewing the video. “My personal opinion concerning the Zac Stacy incident is that of total disgust. That behavior is completely out of line on several levels, as a man I don’t care what she did or supposedly did doesn’t deserve that type of treatment! As a former NFL Player I’m sure I can speak for most that he deserves severe consequences and should be incarcerated for a very long time”, Harris said.
Football has always been a violent sport whereas a typical description of a football player is often defined as indestructible, aggressive and violent. Domestic violence is not a newly occurring type of crime, but the problem is when that aggressive and violent behavior leaves the football field and returns to the home of players.
According to deLara’s Consequences of Childhood Bullying on Mental Health and Relationships for Young Adults Consequences of Childhood Bullying on Mental Health and Relationships for Young Adults Article the author describes the need for expanded research by health care providers to continue supporting the impact of childhood bullying and the effects of the behaviors lasting into adult life, is essential.
“As a member of the NFL Alumni Association, although it is my responsibility to help my brothers in the NFL to focus on healing as opposed to exhibiting violent behaviors towards loved ones, there is no excuse for bullying, or intimidating anyone, especially a woman. I have three sisters and I don’t want anyone putting their hands on them”, said Harris.
The NFL has health and wellness resources for current and former NFL players, in an effort to promote awareness and prevention in the areas of physical, emotional, spiritual, social, and financial services.
The Orlando Sentinel reported that Stacy is out of jail on a $10,150 bond, but prohibited from being in the state of Florida, and will be checking into a mental health facility for 30 days in Colorado for treatment.
This story involves details of bullying and domestic violence. If you need additional assistance, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or visit https://www.stopbullying.gov/
References
deLara, E. W. (2019). Consequences of Childhood Bullying on Mental Health and Relationships for Young Adults. Journal of Child & Family Studies, 28(9), 2379–2389. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-018-1197-y
Quinn, P. (2015). Adult bullying — are we taking it seriously? Therapy Today, 26(8), 18–21.
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