Roger Goodell CBS Interview: Commish Admits NFL Has Major Problem With Domestic Violence; Doesn’t Fear Job Security
A Roger Goodell CBS Interview revealed the NFL Commissioner isn’t worried about his job security over how he handled the Ray Rice matter, initially suspending the now cut Ravens running back for two games, before finally suspending him indefinitely following the release of the second elevator video, which showed Rice punching his fiancee.
When asked if he felt his job was on the line, Goodell responded: “No, I’m used to cirisimsm. Every day I have to earn my stripes. everyday i have to do a better job. That’s my resonlisby to the game, to the NFL, and to society.
He continued:
"“People expect a lot from the NFL. We accept that. We embrace that. That’s our opportunity to make a didffence. We have that ability. We have the influence and every day, that’s what we’re going to strive to do.”"
Goodell was also asked whether he believes Rice will ever play again:
“I haven’t thought about because right now, I think the focus is, he’s got a lot of work to do. The family has a lot of work to do. We’re going to obviously, provide whatever resources we can to help them work though that. At the same time, we’re going to continue to try and implement our policies and our revised education and training so we can get to people and help people and their family make wiser decisions.”
Goodell was also asked if the NFL had a problem with domestic violence. At first, the Commish hedged on the answer, but when pressed, he admitted that yes, the league indeed has a problem, which was wise, considering the new policies the league implemented for domestic abuse offenders just two weeks ago.
“Absolutely, we’re saying we have a problem…we haven’t done this right. We’ve had lots of conversations, lots of listening and learning right here in this room, with experts, not just in the last two weeks or three weeks, or months, but over the last couple of years, saying, ‘how could we deal with this issue better? How could we prevent the cases from happening and when they do happen, how can we send the right message to say this is unacceptable?”
Later on the in the segment, New York Times columnist William C. Rhoden suggested the NFL was guilty of incompetence, or a cover up, regarding it’s blind eye to the second video.
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The writer gave Goodell the benefit of the doubt that he didn’t see the video but what about the Commish’s top officials?
“There’s probably not evidence (that somebody from the NFL saw the video), but there’s certainly reason to believe, that a league that prides itself on its security…that has former FBI agents working for them…you can’t have it both ways. Even with all the security, either it’s incompetent, or its a cover up, so I would give Roger Goodell the benefit of the doubt. Maybe he didn’t see it, but I think somebody in his circle…saw it.”
Rhoden may be on to something, as for months, sports writers have been reporting what happened inside the elevator. His column in the Times is well worth a read:
“…Goodell and his lieutenants seem to have viewed Rice’s violence through the prism of corporate protectors whose first responsibility is to protect the shield — N.F.L. shorthand for Goodell’s role as guardian of the interests of the 32 owners for whom he works.