As the fallout from the release of the Ray Rice elevator video continues into its third day, the calls for NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to resign because if his mishandling of the situation have only grown louder.
The National Organization of Women said on Wednesday that the NFL doesn’t just have a problem with Rice, but an overall problem with women. The organization noted that 38 percent of arrests with NFL players involve sex offences and 55 percent are for domestic violence. NOW also pointed out that Ray McDonald of the 49ers was arrested for domestic violence just days after a new policy was implemented, but still played in the season opener Sunday.
“The only workable solution is for Roger Goodell to resign, and for his successor to appoint an independent investigator with full authority to gather factual data about domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking within the NFL community, and to recommend real and lasting reforms,” NOW said.
Meanwhile, in an interview with CBS News, Goodell again insisted that the NFL did not see the full tape of what Ray Rice did to his now-wife Janay Rice in an Atlantic City elevator in February. He claims that they asked law enforcement for it several times, but were not given it.
“...I don't know how TMZ or any other website gets their information,” Goodell said. “We are particularly reliant on law enforcement. That's the most reliable. It's the most credible. And we don't seek to get that information from sources that are not credible.”
TMZ has insisted that the NFL did not ask the casino where the incident happened for the tape. That calls into question how thorough the NFL’s own investigation was.
Goodell also said that seeing the full tape was not necessary for the NFL to make a decision on Rice. However, before Monday, Rice was only suspended for two games and given a fine. After the tape came out, the Ravens suddenly released him and the NFL suspended him indefinitely.
In addition, he also thinks his job is safe.
“People expect a lot from the NFL. We accept that. We embrace that,” Goodell told CBS News. “That's our opportunity to make a difference not just in the NFL, but in society in general. We have that ability. We have that influence. And we have to do that. And every day, that's what we're going to strive to do.”
image courtesy of Kristin Callahan/ACE/INFphoto.com
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