ALAMEDA, Calif. -- The National Organization for Women says Oakland Raiders coach Tom Cable should be suspended while the team investigates allegations that he has a history of violent behavior toward women.
Cable-Davis sitdown
NOW president Terry O'Neill praised the Raiders in a statement for undertaking a "serious evaluation" of charges made by Cable's first wife, Sandy Cable, and former girlfriend, Marie Lutz, that the coach physically abused them at various times during their relationships. However, O'Neill said that Cable should be suspended while that investigation proceeds.
The Raiders had no comment on O'Neill's statement.
"This is the National Football League. Boys and girls around the country, as well as many women, look to the leaders of the NFL as our role models," O'Neill said in a telephone interview. "Why would the NFL tolerate having a man who admits to having battered his wife."
Cable has acknowledged striking Sandy Cable with an open hand more than 20 years ago and said it was the only time he has ever inappropriately touched a woman. Marie Lutz accused Cable of assaulting her as recently as last January, but Cable previously said he was cleared by police of any wrongdoing in that case.
"I take the accusations very seriously," O'Neill said. "What you have is a man who seems to be a person who habitually uses violence to get what he wants. That's what batterers do."
O'Neill said she hasn't contacted the Raiders or the NFL directly. Cable said Thursday that he didn't believe pressure from outside groups would influence what the team decides to do with him.
"I think it will be handled properly," Cable said. "I'm going to leave it at that right now."
Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press
