Feinstein: Bench 49ers lineman

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), the former San Francisco mayor, has a message for the 49ers this Sunday: Bench defensive lineman Ray McDonald.

McDonald was arrested last month on suspicion of striking his pregnant fiancée during a party at his San Jose, Calif., home, according to news reports. But the 49ers said McDonald will remain in the lineup for Sunday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals, who are facing their own troubles with domestic abuse.

“I believe very strongly that, if a player is arrested, they should be suspended, and if they are convicted, that ends it,” Feinstein said during an appearance on CBS’s “Face the Nation.”

Her remarks come amid calls for NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to resign over his slow response to a number of domestic violence incidents involving NFL players, including former Baltimore Ravens star Ray Rice.

Feinstein said she was speaking for all women in the Senate in saying, “We’re surprised, amazed and very resolute to do something about it.”

“I know there are contracts, but this has gone on too long; it is getting too bad. And these teams need to set an example for the rest of society. …” Feinstein added. “There has to be a strength in the league to project the values of what’s right and what’s wrong.

“And to let players continue to play after they’ve been convicted of what would be a felony I think would be a huge mistake.”