Running Head: NFL PLAYERS SAY NO MORE

Rhetorical Analysis of NFL Players Say No More

Justin Fawcett
University of Texas at El Paso

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The YouTube video NFL Players Say No More, uploaded by the Joyful Heart
Foundation, takes a stance against domestic violence. In the video there are players from the
NFL who each state a phrase beginning with no more (Joyful Heart Foundation, 2014). There
are a total of 25 phrases within this video, and with each phrase a viewer can interpret that each
NFL player expresses a phrase that is against domestic violence just by them beginning the
phrase with no more (Joyful Heart Foundation, 2014). This YouTube video was uploaded by
the Joyful Heart Foundation to draw attention to the issue of domestic violence. In aim to
investigate the structure of NFL Players Say No More which was uploaded by the Joyful
Heart Foundation, this paper will make an effort to analyze the videos intended audience,
purpose, and practice of rhetorical appeals: logos, ethos, and pathos.
The YouTube video NFL Players Say No More is directed towards an audience that is
tech-savvy, has access to YouTube, and an audience that has a basic understanding of domestic
violence. There are two types of audiences that are targeted by the video. The first, an audience
that either believes domestic violence is somewhat acceptable or requires little to no attention.
The second, an audience that believes in zero tolerance for domestic violence. Since the majority
of people around the globe agree that domestic violence is wrong, the video attempts to create
awareness that domestic violence is an issue that cannot be taken lightly. It also makes an effort
to inform viewers that only they can help put a stop to domestic violence by standing up and
saying no more. With the given phrase no more in each of the NFL players statements,
viewers can interpret the message the Joyful Heart Foundation is trying to convey; people
should no longer tolerate domestic violence, give excuses about the issue, or remain silent
entirely about abuse. In the 4th second of the video, Prince Amukamara states, No more, whats
the big deal? (Joyful Heart Foundation, 2014). With this given statement a viewer who is

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against domestic can portray that there is still a great amount of people who believe domestic
violence is not entirely important. This particular viewer can also visualize that the lack of
awareness towards domestic violence is still lingering. A viewer who doesnt think domestic
violence is a huge deal can definitely perceive Amukamaras message. It is also possible that this
sort of viewer may also hold the ability to relate to Amukamaras message. Thus, one can
certainly infer that this video is composed for the sole purpose of creating awareness not only to
those who do think domestic violence is wrong, but to those who think of it as an issue that does
not need attention when compared to other issues that seem more demanding of attention.
Furthermore, the purpose of the NFL Players Say No More video is to persuade its
audience to acknowledge the issue of domestic violence. Although the video lacks facts and
statistics, one can assume that there are people who simply do not care about any issue regarding
to domestic violence. In addition to this concept, a viewer can conclude that such people with
various views on domestic violence are in existence with the given statements spoken by Prince
Amukamara and James Thrash. In the 16th second of the video, James Thrash states, No more,
not my problem (Joyful Heart Foundation, 2014). This phrase is in the video to persuade those
who hardly care about domestic violence, and who claim it is not their problem, to confront those
who commit a form of abuse, and take a stand by saying no more. With the Joyful Heart
Foundation video, the organization makes the audience feel as if they need to give more of their
attention towards the issue of domestic violence. With the given the evidence above, the videos
intention is to persuade viewers to take a stand against domestic violence and take initiative
towards the growing issue.
In addition, the video NFL Players Say No More has strong logos. Although the video
lacks the two core items of facts and statistics, it doesnt lack its great use of quotes, various

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examples with those quotes, sound reasoning, and consistency. In the 23rd second of the video,
William Gay states, No more, why doesnt she just leave? (Joyful Heart Foundation, 2014).
This quote can be viewed in two different method. The first method describes a woman that
simply doesnt leave her abusive husband or boyfriend. The second method characterizes a
woman who does want to leave, but is forced to stay due to fear or financial reasons. An
audience that believes domestic violence is not their problem would most likely agree with first
method by thinking it is simple and easy to leave. An example of this would be that particular
audience brainstorming questions like, Why doesnt she just move to another home, preferably
a relatives home? The audience that takes a stand against domestic violence would argue that it
is not that simple and in most cases very hard. The woman would perhaps have to quit her job,
live in fear if her abusive husband or boyfriend decides to look for her, or may just be on her own
entirely without any form of financial support. The consistency of the message no more and
the various quotes given by the NFL players helps support the videos purpose (Joyful Heart
Foundation, 2014). Due to the consistency of this particular phrase no more, viewers can
conclude there is a sound argument within the video; there should be zero tolerance for domestic
violence and more attention should be brought upon the issue. With the given consistency of
phrases, quotes, and examples that can be demonstrated, this video has strong logos.
In continuation, NFL Players Say No More has strong ethos as well. The video was
made by a credible organization that focuses on creating awareness for domestic violence and
sexual assault issues. The video also uses NFL players that stand against domestic violence who
are members of the Joyful Heart Foundation. In the description it states, Nearly two dozen
men of the NFL use their voices, their commitment, and, perhaps most significantly, a new and
deeply stirring expression of their formidable power to say no more to domestic violence and

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sexual assault (Joyful Heart Foundation, 2014). In the 12th second of the video, LaVar Arrington
states, No more, but he has such a bright future (Joyful Heart Foundation, 2014). With this
message given by Arrington, one can understand that many domestic violence offenders today,
especially well-known athletes, are defended by their coaches and even their principles or
president of their university without concrete evidence. This is a credible example because
Arrington played football for Pennsylvania State University where two coaches covered up a
sexual abuse scandal to save their jobs and future legacies as head football coaches. Many
players who commit violent crimes often get away with it because they are supported by their
peers. These types of players also go on to threaten the victims of their crimes to remain silent so
the players future can remain unblemished. By having Arrington, a successful NFL player, give
a quote such as the one mentioned above, the video is able to gain an additional source of
credibility. Overall, this video contains strong ethos with its up-to-date contact information at the
end of the video and maintains strong ethos by having respect and integrity for its audience.
The greatest effect of rhetorical appeal in this video is pathos. The video demands the
emotion of concern. The YouTube video NFL Players Say No More appeals for more
awareness from all sorts of audiences that watch the video. In the 18th second, Alfred Morris
quotes, No more, Ill say something next time (Joyful Heart Foundation, 2014). What Morris
means by this is that domestic violence must end now and in order to stop the growing issue one
must stop saying theyll do something later. Waiting for another time to say something may be
too late, the aggressor in a relationship may cause even more significant harm to their partner, or
even worse, death. Most importantly the video also instills the feeling of guilt for the lack of
awareness towards domestic violence in the 35th second when Jason Witten says, No more, she
was asking for it (Joyful Heart Foundation, 2014). In the 45th second, Cris Carter quotes, No

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more, by-standing (Joyful Heart Foundation, 2014). With these two quotes given by Witten and
Carter, one can infer that the video is targeting the audiences sense of ethical values. The quote
No more, she was asking for it, a viewer can interpret that no person has the right to hit
someone else, male or female (Joyful Heart Foundation, 2014). Cris Carters quote can also tie in
with this view. By standing by and not doing anything to help a victim, a person is just as guilty
as the person who committed the crime. In the 44th second of the video, Aeneas Williams uses the
quote, No more, we dont talk about that (Joyful Heart Foundation, 2014). One can feel a sense
of guilt with Williams quote similar to the feeling of guilt with Carters quote; if its
unacceptable to talk about a crime you witnessed for no given reason, you essentially committed
the same crime. All in all, the message directed to the videos viewers is that, if person witnesses
such a crime and does nothing about it, they are equally as guilty. By doing this the video also
calls for concern of how many people still think of domestic violence as not being a big deal.
This entire video has very strong pathos with the use of its emotional narratives, motivational
appeals, and target towards the viewers sense of ethical values.
To conclude, NFL Players Say No More was designed to instill the feeling of guilt and
concern among its viewers. This can be seen through the investigation of the videos intended
audience, purpose, and use of ethos, logos, and pathos. The directed audience included people
who knew how to access the internet and had a basic understanding of domestic violence. The
video maintained its consistency in the attempt to persuade viewers that attention towards
domestic violence is a must. NFL Players Say No More had a sense of credibility as well as a
sound argument for its viewers to debate on, but out of the three rhetorical appeals, the video best
emphasized the emotion of concern and guilt which gave it very strong pathos. In hindsight, the

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information gathered from this inquiry can be used to aid the composition of a Public Service
Announcement which will be a future task at hand.

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References
Joyful Heart Foundation (2014, October 22). Nfl players say no more [Video file]
Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=cfto6ZXgt70&list=PLRH4qMDKG2FGC2eG15yehoAUW2zZHDGXt