New York: NFL team owners spent five hours on Wednesday talking in detail about how to handle domestic violence issues, including what role league commissioner Roger Goodell should have in imposing punishments.
The subject was a major topic for 32 NFL team owners, who received a 40-minute presentation on domestic violence, in the wake of numerous incidents involving players hitting women and children in recent months.
“I would call it a very significant discussion,” Goodell said.
No details were revealed about topics or positions as owners hoped to better learn how to handle the subject after sparking public outcry — and ending up reversing decisions — over their response to stars such as Adrian Peterson, who face charges.
Questions include whether players should be benched while awaiting legal rulings that could take several months.
That is especially an issue when major evidence of wrongdoing becomes public, as happened to Ray Rice, a former Baltimore rusher now suspended indefinitely after a video was revealed showing him knocking out his then-fiancee in a casino elevator.
In Peterson’s case, he was benched for a weekend, reinstated and then given a special paid leave while preparing to defend himself in court against charges of reckless or negligent child injury for spanking his four-year-old son so hard with a stick that it left visible welts for days.
“We take these incidents very seriously. This is unacceptable in any circumstance. It’s illegal,” Goodell said. “I believe the vast majority of our players are great people.
“This isn’t a football issue. This is a society issue. All of us must focus on this.
“If we can make some impact on the broader society, fine, but our focus is getting our own house in order.”
Owners received an educational presentation on domestic violence that will be shown to every NFL employee over the course of the current season.
“The reaction was very good today. They found it informative and educational,” Goodell said.
