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| Goodell addressed new personal conduct policy. Photo Credit: USA Today |
At a Friday afternoon press conference, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell outlined a plan to overhaul the leagues personal conduct policy in wake of the criticism that has been brought on the sport because if the way the NFL handled these cases of domestic abuse by some of their players.
By: Michael Hanley
The plan moving forward is to form a conduct committee that will be responsible for looking over and investigating how the league handles issues like domestic abuse when it comes to its players and other issues that pop up. The real key in this is that Goodell will be giving up some of the power he has held for the entirety of his tenure as NFL Commissioner in terms of being the judge, jury and executioner when it comes to suspensions, fines etc. The target date for all of these changes is by the Super Bowl.
This is a smart move by him and the NFL as their was no way they could going operating the way they had in the past with all the gaffes they have made in terms of addressing this issue of domestic violence and other issues with their players.
Bringing in additional people to have a voice and say in these matters as well as provide perspective and opinion on these matters and be able to make a sound, clear and concise judgment and ruling for punishment that will be to everyone's satisfaction. It will give the league a chance to have a discussion on the matters and be able to be on the same page and present a united front instead of one lone man in Goodell representing the entire league's thoughts and opinions.
Goodell addressed a number of other issues he seeks to eliminate as problems the league deals with moving forward:
"Domestic violence, including child abuse, sexual assault, irresponsible ownership or handling of firearms, the illegal use of alcohol or drugs -- these activities must be condemned and stopped through education and discipline," Goodell said
It is nice to hear in one regard that he and the NFL are eager to handle and make these issues a thing of the past but in another regard what took so long? These issues have been around for years and have effected society in America for as long as we all can think back to.
It is sad that it took a week plus of bad public relations and some of its player's personal bouts with issues such as domestic violence and child abuse for the league and Goodell especially to do a mea culpa. One can only hope the league has learned from this whole mess and sticks to the new measures they will implement.
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