Roger Goodell apologizes for NFL domestic violence scandals

NFL boss Roger Goodell has said he “got it wrong” in dealing with the violence scandals that have plagued the American football league.

In his first public statement in a week, Roger Goodell apologized for his mistakes and pledged to implement new personal conduct policies.

“We strongly condemn and will punish behavior that is totally unacceptable,” he said.

He has faced calls to resign after a series of assaults involving players.

The commissioner said on Friday he had not considered stepping down and that he had the support of the team owners.

“We will get our house in order,” Roger Goodell said at a press conference in New York.

Roger Goodell announced the NFL plans to set up a new personal conduct committee and draft new rules for the league’s players and staff, which he hoped would be in place for the Super Bowl in early 2015.

The NFL, and Roger Goodell in particular, have been criticized over their handling of an abuse case involving running back Ray Rice from the Baltimore Ravens.

Roger Goodell initially banned Ray Rice for two games after video emerged of him punching his then-fiancée in the face and knocking her out in a lift in Atlantic City in February.

It was only after the video was posted online in August that Ray Rice was cut by the Ravens and banned from the league indefinitely by Roger Goodell.

“I got it wrong in the handling of the Ray Rice matter,” he said on September 19.

“But now I will get it right and do whatever is necessary to accomplish that.”

The NFL has also come under fire for its handling of other abuse cases, including Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, who has been charged with child abuse in Texas after allegedly whipping his four-year-old son.

In recent days, some NFL sponsors have made public statements urging it to do more to address the issue.

On September 19, Procter & Gamble announced it was dropping an on-field breast cancer awareness promotion it had been planning with the NFL.

“Domestic violence is completely unacceptable and we have strongly urged the NFL to take swift and decisive action to address this issue,” said a spokesman.

“Our decision to cancel this on field activity was related to this ongoing issue.”

Other sponsors like PepsiCo and Anheuser-Busch have expressed concern. Women make up about 35% of the average television audience of games.

Roger Goodell said NFL staff would be required to undergo training on the prevention of domestic violence and sexual assault starting within 30 days.

Roger Goodell said the league will partner with the National Domestic Violence Hotline and National Sexual Violence Resource Center.

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