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12/22/2024 11:43:04 pm

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NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell: 'I Got It Wrong, I'm Sorry'

Roger Goodell speaks at a news conference to address domestic violence issues and the NFL's Personal Conduct Policy, in New York, September 19, 2014.

(Photo : Reuters/Mike Segar) Roger Goodell speaks at a news conference to address domestic violence issues and the NFL's Personal Conduct Policy, in New York, September 19, 2014.

Saying "I got it wrong, I'm sorry," NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell held a wide-ranging news conference in a carefully orchestrated setting Friday.

Goodell  attempted to answered hard questions about the league's handling of numerous violence-related issues in the past few months, but ultimately didn't say much about concrete action that would be taken aside from formation of a committee to study those issues and contributions made to an anti-domestic violence hotline.

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The committee would come back with recommendations about future NFL action pertaining to domestic violence, and other issues, by the time of the Super Bowl next year, Goodell said without specifying who would sit on the commission or providing other details.

Goodell read a brief statement before taking questions. He emphasized the hiring of former FBI director Robert Mueller to lead investigations into NFL conduct and what new policies could be implemented to curb bad player behavior and educate NFL participants in behavioral issues. He blamed bad NFL personnel behavior on overall societal issues.

Saying he "got it wrong, I'm sorry," while initially addressing violence issues, Goodell added he wouldn't resign as commissioner. Otherwise, he said "everything was on the table" and there would be some personnel changes at NFL offices, but didn't specify what changes would be made. He said the NFL would mandate future educational training for all players and staff about domestic violence issues, but didn't provide any specifics.

Critics of the NFL handling of incidents relating to Ray Rice's alleged punching his then-fiancee in the face knocking her out and Adrian Peterson's alleged child abuse for beating his 4-year-old son with a switch, or tree branch, among other recent transgressions, said they weren't satisfied with late afternoon news conference. Some called it "slaps on the wrist for punches to the face."

Former NFL star quarterback Fran Tarkenton, a frequent critic of league handling of such issues, said he was "outraged" by the Goodell news conference.

"So, they're going to wait six months for spin control," Tarkenton said. "I've seen coverups in this league just like you see coverups in Washington, just like you see on Wall Street."

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