I think the media is doing it's own major grand-standing with this. After the Ray Rice incident, everyone is in a hurry to look like they are above reproach and this behavior is deplorable.
My favorite so far is the media's use of "tree branch". Yeah, I guess technically a switch is a branch from a tree, but they want the viewers to think he used a large tree branch.
Anyway, I think AD was excessive in his discipline, but I can't believe the people calling for his head. He was raised being disciplined that way, and that's what he knows. Rather than crucifying the guy, how about the folks around him getting him help to become a better parent? To this point, AD has been a very upstanding member of the community and a genuine good guy. He made a mistake, because that's what he knew, and people are quick to call him names and lump him in with people like Ray Rice. It's crazy.
I was hit with a switch more than once, hell, I remember having to go pick it and like the Chris Rock bit, if it wasn't big enough, I'd be in more trouble. It's the way a lot of folks were raised. I never considered myself an abused child, because it didn't happen often and typically was a last resort. Still, I haven't used that approach with my kids, and I like I said, I think AD went overboard, but it's not as uncommon as the TV and radio hosts would like their viewers to believe.