NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell promises to form a committee that will lay the groundwork for overhauling the league’s personal conduct policy after a series of domestic violence,child abuse and other misconduct cases involving the players.
On Friday Goodell went ahead to announce that they are targeting, to unveil a new personal conduct policy by the Super Bowl in February. He explained that he would consult various experts on creating a transparent system to penalize players for their off-field behavior.
He did not specify but said he was open to suggestions from concerned parties and was willing to work with the N.F.L. Players Association and reviewing his role in determining violations.
The Commissioner, who seemed to apologize, and at the same time defend the NFL has been in the middle of controversy ever since video footage was released showing Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice knocking out his then-fiancee in an elevator, after the NFL had only suspended him for only two games. Rice was released by the Ravens and NFL suspended him indefinitely.
Another cause of controversy was the conviction of Greg Hardy for assaulting and threatening his girlfriend, and Goodell turning a blind eye to that, and then the deactivation of Adrian Peterson by the Minnesota Vikings after he was accused of beating his 4-year-old son.
The NFL has been accused of not doing enough to manage the misconduct of their players especially after the board failed to lay their hands on the video which resurfaced after suspending Rice for only two games.
The botched handling of the Ray Rice case still may eventually cost Goodell his job as the commissioner.
The league also said educational programs on preventing domestic abuse and sexual violence would begin within the next 30 days for all 32 teams.
