By Ann Killion
Zero tolerance. That's what the 49ers say they have for perpetrators of domestic violence.
But what exactly does "zero tolerance" mean? Many have been asking that while the 49ers continue to play Ray McDonald after his arrest for felony domestic violence before his name has been legally cleared. Does that mean there's an understood level of tolerance?
The 49ers are operating under the belief that McDonald will not face charges; if that happens, they will say they upheld their policy. But as we know from the Ray Rice case, perpetrators aren't always punished. There is a lot of gray area.
In April 2008, Ahmad Brooks — then with Cincinnati — was accused of punching a woman in the face and knocking her out after she approached him because he was in an altercation and was scaring her children. He accepted mediation in lieu of facing charges. The Bengals released him the next month and he was picked up by the 49ers.
In 2011, cornerback Chris Cook, whom the 49ers signed in March, was charged with two counts of felony assault involving a girlfriend. After he was arrested, the Vikings suspended Cook, then reinstated him to the active roster, but he didn't play, missing 10 games. A jury acquitted Cook after his girlfriend changed her story. But no one disputes that he threw her against a wall, perforating her eardrum and bloodying her nose.
In 2011, Perrish Cox, then with Denver, was charged with sexual assault. A Denver jury acquitted him, but accounts of the trial are chilling. The woman, who was impregnated with his child, DNA tests proved, was portrayed as a slut, treated as though she was on trial. A civil suit was settled out of court. The Broncos released Cox. He has since signed with the 49ers twice.
For the 49ers, zero tolerance means a player has faced due process and has not been found guilty, despite plenty of disturbing evidence.
When Rice completes his anger-management program and if he is allowed back in the NFL, he won't have a criminal record. Which means that the 49ers could sign him and uphold their policy.
Ann Killion is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. E-mail: akillion@sfchronicle.com