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Roger Goodell vows to 'get it right' on domestic violence issues
FOX Sports
SEP 19, 2014 3:10p ET
Roger Goodell never considered resigning as NFL Commissioner
SEP 19, 3:36 pm
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell broke his silence Friday, outlining more domestic violence initiatives and changes to the league's personal conduct policy as he faces continuing criticism over a series of high-profile incidents.
"Unfortunately, over the past several weeks, we have seen all too much of the NFL doing wrong," Goodell said. "That starts with me."
"I got it wrong on a number of levels ... But now I will get it right, and do whatever is necessary to accomplish that.
"The same mistakes can never be repeated."
His comments largely elaborated on a memo Goodell sent to all 32 teams on Thursday, announcing "long-term partnerships to provide financial, operational and promotional support" to both The National Domestic Violence Hotline (The Hotline) and the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC).
Goodell also said the league is set to implement "broad educational programs" that will require "all league and team personnel -- including executives, coaches, players and staff" to participate in education sessions on domestic violence and sexual assault.
The memo also said this "by no means" a final step for the league in addressing its ongoing domestic violence issues.
Goodell said he was establishing a committee to evaluate the league's current policy on personal conduct and recommend changes to implement.
"There will be changes to our personal conduct policy," Goodell said, saying he expects those changes in place by the Super Bowl. "I know this because we will make it happen. Nothing is off the table."
The league also announced revisions to its drug program in a memo released shortly before Goodell's press conference, most notably the implementation of HGH testing.
Goodell faced a flurry of questions after his statement, including why he should be allowed to stay on as commissioner amid several calls from his resignation.
His answer?
"Because I acknowledged my mistake. I said we didn't get this right and we're going to make changes. ... We have a lot more work to do, but we're moving in a very important direction."
Friday's comments come after a disastrous two-week period for the NFL that started Sept. 8, when TMZ released a video of Ray Rice striking his then-fiancee Janay Palmer in the elevator of an Atlantic City casino in February. The Ravens released Rice that same day and the NFL suspended him indefinitely.
Public pressure immediately focused on the league office -- specifically on Goodell -- with people demanding to know if the commissioner had seen the tape prior to handing Rice a paltry two-game suspension back in July. Goodell and Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti, among others in the NFL and the organization, denied seeing the tape beforehand. Goodell said that Rice's version of the story did not match the video as to the severity of his attack on Palmer, who is now Rice's wife, when the two spoke during a meeting in June.
Attention also focused on other NFL players who were dealing with domestic violence issues, specifically Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy â who was convicted of striking his ex-girlfriend -- and 49ers defensive end Ray McDonald. The Panthers eventually deactivated Hardy for the team's Week 2 game against the Lions, before the latter took a "voluntary leave of absence" with pay the following week to deal with his legal issues. The 49ers decided not to discipline McDonald until his case went to court.
Things got worse for the league last Friday when news broke that Vikings star running back Adrian Peterson was indicted by a Texas grand jury on charges that he caused negligent injury to his four-year-old son. Peterson was also deactivated before being placed on the rarely used commissioner's exempt list while his legal proceedings play out. The league has yet to levy a penalty on Peterson.
Additionally, Arizona Cardinals running back Jonathan Dwyer was arrested on aggravated assault charges on Wednesday and deactivated from all team activities after he was taken into custody at the Cardinals' practice facility and headquarters in Tempe. He allegedly head-butted his wife and broke her nose after she refused his sexual advances, and punched her in the face the next day, police said Thursday.
The inconsistency of the punishments and statuses of these players is a big talking point, and Goodell was asked how he intends to bring a cohesive policy to a very complex issue.
"We need to change our policies," Goodell said, "and we need to get some help figuring out how to do that."
Goodell currently oversees all personal conduct cases, deciding guilt and penalties.
The press conference was interrupted about 30 minutes in by a prankster who was heard shouting "Don't take me to the elevator!" as he was dragged out by security, a reference to the Rice scandal.
FOX Sports
SEP 19, 2014 3:10p ET
Roger Goodell never considered resigning as NFL Commissioner
SEP 19, 3:36 pm
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell broke his silence Friday, outlining more domestic violence initiatives and changes to the league's personal conduct policy as he faces continuing criticism over a series of high-profile incidents.
"Unfortunately, over the past several weeks, we have seen all too much of the NFL doing wrong," Goodell said. "That starts with me."
"I got it wrong on a number of levels ... But now I will get it right, and do whatever is necessary to accomplish that.
"The same mistakes can never be repeated."
His comments largely elaborated on a memo Goodell sent to all 32 teams on Thursday, announcing "long-term partnerships to provide financial, operational and promotional support" to both The National Domestic Violence Hotline (The Hotline) and the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC).
Goodell also said the league is set to implement "broad educational programs" that will require "all league and team personnel -- including executives, coaches, players and staff" to participate in education sessions on domestic violence and sexual assault.
The memo also said this "by no means" a final step for the league in addressing its ongoing domestic violence issues.
Goodell said he was establishing a committee to evaluate the league's current policy on personal conduct and recommend changes to implement.
"There will be changes to our personal conduct policy," Goodell said, saying he expects those changes in place by the Super Bowl. "I know this because we will make it happen. Nothing is off the table."
The league also announced revisions to its drug program in a memo released shortly before Goodell's press conference, most notably the implementation of HGH testing.
Goodell faced a flurry of questions after his statement, including why he should be allowed to stay on as commissioner amid several calls from his resignation.
His answer?
"Because I acknowledged my mistake. I said we didn't get this right and we're going to make changes. ... We have a lot more work to do, but we're moving in a very important direction."
Friday's comments come after a disastrous two-week period for the NFL that started Sept. 8, when TMZ released a video of Ray Rice striking his then-fiancee Janay Palmer in the elevator of an Atlantic City casino in February. The Ravens released Rice that same day and the NFL suspended him indefinitely.
Public pressure immediately focused on the league office -- specifically on Goodell -- with people demanding to know if the commissioner had seen the tape prior to handing Rice a paltry two-game suspension back in July. Goodell and Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti, among others in the NFL and the organization, denied seeing the tape beforehand. Goodell said that Rice's version of the story did not match the video as to the severity of his attack on Palmer, who is now Rice's wife, when the two spoke during a meeting in June.
Attention also focused on other NFL players who were dealing with domestic violence issues, specifically Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy â who was convicted of striking his ex-girlfriend -- and 49ers defensive end Ray McDonald. The Panthers eventually deactivated Hardy for the team's Week 2 game against the Lions, before the latter took a "voluntary leave of absence" with pay the following week to deal with his legal issues. The 49ers decided not to discipline McDonald until his case went to court.
Things got worse for the league last Friday when news broke that Vikings star running back Adrian Peterson was indicted by a Texas grand jury on charges that he caused negligent injury to his four-year-old son. Peterson was also deactivated before being placed on the rarely used commissioner's exempt list while his legal proceedings play out. The league has yet to levy a penalty on Peterson.
Additionally, Arizona Cardinals running back Jonathan Dwyer was arrested on aggravated assault charges on Wednesday and deactivated from all team activities after he was taken into custody at the Cardinals' practice facility and headquarters in Tempe. He allegedly head-butted his wife and broke her nose after she refused his sexual advances, and punched her in the face the next day, police said Thursday.
The inconsistency of the punishments and statuses of these players is a big talking point, and Goodell was asked how he intends to bring a cohesive policy to a very complex issue.
"We need to change our policies," Goodell said, "and we need to get some help figuring out how to do that."
Goodell currently oversees all personal conduct cases, deciding guilt and penalties.
The press conference was interrupted about 30 minutes in by a prankster who was heard shouting "Don't take me to the elevator!" as he was dragged out by security, a reference to the Rice scandal.