NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced Friday his desire to improve the league's personal conduct policy based on recent events. He will ask the NFLPA and others to collaborate on the process.
"I got it wrong in the handling of the Ray Rice matter, and I'm sorry for that," Goodell said. "... But now I will get it right and do whatever is necessary to accomplish that."
"We will get our house in order first," he continued.
Goodell stressed the league's opportunity to create change.
"We will re-examine, enhance and improve all of our current programs, and then we'll do more," Goodell said.
Goodell said that he has already been in touch with NFLPA chief DeMaurice Smith about the potential changes. The two men plan to meet with outside experts, who can help set guidelines and procedures. That process will start next week.
The possible revisions follow the league's changes to the policy changes announced in late August, which included tougher penalties for domestic violence issues. First-time offenders currently face a potential six-game suspension.
Several NFL players have been in the news for domestic violency arrests and indictments in recent weeks, including Ray Rice, Adrian Peterson and Greg Hardy. Rice is suspended indefinitely, while Peterson and Hardy were placed on the Exempt/Commissioner's Permission List by the Vikings and Panthers, respectively.
"There will be changes to our personal conduct policy. ... Nothing is off the table," Goodell said.
"My goal is to complete this by the Super Bowl," he added.
Some other takeaways from Goodell's lengthy question and answer session with the media:
» Goodell said he has not considered resigning, despite some public calls to do so.
"I'm focused on doing my job. ... I believe the 32 owners support me."
» Goodell said that the league will look to implement a "conduct committee" that will help to establish procedures on how to handle conduct problems.
» Goodell announced partnerships with two of the leading domestic violence and sexual assault resources: The National Domestic Violence Hotline (The Hotline) and the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC).
"In addition, NFL teams and league staff will participate in education sessions starting in the next month, followed by training programs. These programs are being developed by a top group of experts."
» Goodell on Adrian Peterson: "What we see so far is tragic." Goodell did stress that he wanted the facts to fully come out in the case.
» Goodell said it was a mistake to have Ray and Janay Rice in the same room when he interviewed them about the domestic violence incident.
» Goodell said the Ray Rice video was "not consistent" with what Rice told him in person.
» Goodell indicated that he wants more specific punishments for specific offenses, with less gray area.
