“I got it wrong in the handling of the Ray Rice matter.”
REUTERS MIKE SEGAR
National Football League Commissioner Roger Goodell held a news conference Friday afternoon to address the recent abuse scandals within the organization. Goodell apologized for the way the NFL handled abuse cases involving Ray Rice and Adrian Peterson, among others.
"We have seen all too much of the NFL doing wrong. That starts with me," Goodell said. "I got it wrong in the handling of the Ray Rice matter."
"The same mistakes can never be repeated," Goodell said.
Friday's press conference was the first time the commissioner has addressed the public since TMZ last week released the footage of Rice in a physical altercation with his wife in an elevator.
Goodell told reporters that the NFL will be providing financial support to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center and creating educational programs for all 32 teams within the next 30 days. Goodell also promised to implement a new personal conduct policy for the NFL by the Super Bowl.
The commissioner told reporters that he has not considered resigning.
"I am focused on doing my job. I understand when people are critical of my performance, but we have work to do. I am proud of the opportunity we have to make a difference and do the right thing," Goodell said.