NFL commissioner begins action plan to address domestic violence

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has met with the Players Association and union executives to discuss issues related to domestic violence and sexual assault.

National Football League Commissioner, Roger Goodell, addresses the media Friday, Sept. 19, 2014, New York, about the spousal abuse and child abuse issues affecting the NFL. (AP Photo/The Record of Bergen County, Carmine Galasso)

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell met with NFL Players Association executive director DeMaurice Smith and other union executives for several hours Friday to discuss issues related to domestic violence and sexual assault. The NFL also has consulted with the U.S. Army to see how the military addresses issues of misconduct.

In a letter to all 32 NFL owners Friday, a copy of which was obtained by Newsday, Goodell said he met with the NFLPA representatives “to continue discussing issues of personal conduct, including training, education, family services, and the disciplinary process.”

National Football League commissioner Roger Goodell.

Goodell said last Friday — at his first news conference since Ray Rice was suspended Sept. 8 after a video was released showing him punching his then-fiance, Janay Palmer, in the elevator of an Atlantic City casino — that he wanted to update the league’s personal conduct policy.

Goodell on Tuesday met with 11 former players to discuss the personal conduct policy. He also said the league met with “individuals with law enforcement backgrounds to discuss their views on standards of conduct, appropriate levels of assistance, and discipline.

Image taken from a hotel security video released by TMZ Sports showing Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice dragging his fiancee, Janay Palmer, out of an elevator moments after knocking her out.

These meetings will continue.” The commissioner said he and other league officials met with “senior representatives of the U.S. Army regarding the military’s approach to addressing issues of misconduct, including the provision of support services to families and victims.”

Goodell also wrote that the league would continue a television promotion to address the issue of domestic violence. The public service ad aired during Thursday night’s game between the Giants and Washington.

Originally published as NFL commissioner begins action plan to address domestic violence