NEW YORK — NFL owners spent five hours discussing the league’s personal conduct policy, domestic violence and misconduct discipline at their fall meetings Wednesday.
No, we didn’t talk much about football.
“Today we paid great attention to our approach to social responsibility,” said Commissioner Roger. Goodell said. “What we need to do, potential changes, how to make them more effective, make decisions faster. »
After approving the sale of the Buffalo Bills to Terry and Kim Pegula in the morning, the owners listened to a presentation on domestic violence that included a video from a former player calling for recognition and action.
In this powerful video, Joe Ehrmann, a defensive tackle for 10 professional seasons (1973-82), implores viewers to imagine what it would be like to see a loved one being abused. It then calls for intervention to stop such behavior.
“Think about the role you have in raising a generation of men who will have the clarity, the moral courage to challenge other men,” Ehrmann says.
The video was part of a 40-minute presentation put together by the league with the help of a group of outside advisors. The goal is to educate everyone in the NFL about the dangers of domestic violence, child abuse, sexual assault and other domestic violence topics.
“It was very thorough, it was good,” Steelers president Art Rooney said.
There have been many mistakes made by the league recently, including the abuse cases of Ray Rice and Adrian Peterson. Amid a whirlwind over how the league handled these and other incidents, he called for a review of the policy.
Among the topics discussed was Goodell’s role in the discipline, and he reiterated that all options “are on the table.” He said the league has been discussing these options for more than a year, “debating whether there is a better, more efficient and more equitable process.”
“Something that will allow us to manage that complexity in a way that we as a league are happy with, the players will be happy with.”
Goodell added that “when something affects the integrity of the game, I believe (the owners) believe that this commissioner should have the authority.”
Rice is appealing his indefinite suspension, handed down after a video of the former Ravens running back was made public showing him punching his then-fiancée in a casino elevator. He was initially suspended for two games, which Goodell later admitted was a bad punishment. Goodell increased the penalties under the personal conduct policy in late August, before the video was released and Rice was removed by Baltimore.
Unlike Rice, Vikings star running back Peterson, Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy and Cardinals running back Jonathan Dwyer found themselves on an exempt list while legal proceedings play out in their abuse cases. Goodell was asked if this list would continue to be used for future cases or if the NFL could impose sanctions even before the legal process is complete.
He said the owners raised the question: “If there are reasonable findings of fact indicating that there was a violation (of the conduct policy), should there be interim relief?” »
“We take these incidents very seriously,” Goodell added. “They are unacceptable…illegal.”
The independent investigation into the NFL’s handling of the Rice affair, led by former FBI Director Robert Mueller, could take “several months,” according to New York Giants owner John Mara, the league’s liaison to Mueller.
Goodell and other homeowners praised the presentation on domestic violence.
“We’ve put a lot of emphasis on the support services we can provide,” he said.
The educational program will examine workplace policy, disciplinary considerations and “a better understanding of the prevalence of these issues in society and their impact on the NFL,” according to Deana Garner, the league’s director of player engagement and education.
Garner said owners were particularly interested in all the internal and external resources available, including LifeLine, a 24-hour toll-free number created for “the entire NFL community and families.”
“They asked specifically how to activate these resources within their clubs,” she explained.
“It’s important with this type of education to start at the top and filter it down,” added Lisa Friel, vice president of Sexual Misconduct Consulting & Investigations for T&M Protection Resources, and one of the advisors helping the NFL develop and implement the educational program. “From the owner to the guy in the locker room who washes the uniforms.”
It also foresees long-term benefits beyond team and league organizations.
“Many NFL athletes have been leaders throughout their lives,” he said. “We can harness that leadership role…and that can help empower others.” »
Approving the sale bills was a breeze as the Pegulas gained unanimous support from the other 31 owners – as well as loud applause.
The Pegulas, who already own the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres, expect the sale to be finalized by the end of the week.
“This is an important step for us to own the team.” » said Terry Pegula. “There is a small matter of having to pay money and we will manage that.”
This payment would amount to $1.4 billion.
Longtime Bills owner Ralph Wilson died in March, prompting the sale.
Buffalo sports fans feared the Bills would be moved out of state if purchased by another group. But the Pegulas are attached to the Buffalo area.
“If you would have asked me 10 years ago if I would own the Sabers and the Bills, I would have called you a liar,” Pegula said. “I just made a hell of a deal. I own the team.”
