Tweet
I'm shocked that an independent investigation done by their lawyer found that they didn't do anything substantially wrong.
NFL botched Ray Rice investigation
The NFL was deemed to have never previously seen the Ray Rice in-elevator video, according to findings released Thursday by an independent investigation led by Robert Mueller.
Roger Goodell's assertion that no one at the NFL's league office had prior knowledge of the Ray Rice video was proven true by the Mueller report.
"We found no evidence that anyone at the NFL had or saw the in-elevator video before it was publicly shown. We also found no evidence that a woman at the NFL acknowledged receipt of that video in a voicemail message on April 9, 2014," the report said.
While the findings supported commissioner Roger Goodell's assertion that the league had not seen the video that shows Rice punching his now-wife in an Atlantic City elevator, the Mueller report did say the NFL could have done more to properly investigate the charges.
"We concluded there was substantial information about the incident -- even without the in-elevator video -- indicating the need for a more thorough investigation," the report said. "The NFL should have done more with the information it had, and should have taken additional steps to obtain all available information about the February 15 incident."
The report also said the NFL failed to:
• Contact police officers who investigated the incident, the Atlantic City Prosecutor's office or the hotel to obtain or view the in-elevator video.
• Ask Rice or his lawyer if they would make the tape available.
• Follow up with the Baltimore Ravens to determine if it had additional information, following the league's initial contact with the team.
In response to the report's findings, a joint statement was released by New York Giants president John Mara and Pittsburgh Steelers president Art Rooney II.
"As owners, we are the first to agree that the NFL did not have a sufficient policy in place to deal with players or other personnel accused of domestic violence," the statement read in part. "... We were slow to react, and in the case of Ray Rice, the original punishment was insufficient. In addition, the steps taken by the NFL to investigate this matter were inadequate. Since then, a new policy concerning domestic violence and other rules for conduct violations have been put into place. We believe these new policies are tough and appropriate."
While acknowledging that the NFL has made strides to improve its personal conduct policy, the report offered additional suggestions including the creation of a specialized investigative team for domestic violence and sexual abuse cases.
The NFL was deemed to have never previously seen the Ray Rice in-elevator video, according to findings released Thursday by an independent investigation led by Robert Mueller.
Roger Goodell's assertion that no one at the NFL's league office had prior knowledge of the Ray Rice video was proven true by the Mueller report.
"We found no evidence that anyone at the NFL had or saw the in-elevator video before it was publicly shown. We also found no evidence that a woman at the NFL acknowledged receipt of that video in a voicemail message on April 9, 2014," the report said.
While the findings supported commissioner Roger Goodell's assertion that the league had not seen the video that shows Rice punching his now-wife in an Atlantic City elevator, the Mueller report did say the NFL could have done more to properly investigate the charges.
"We concluded there was substantial information about the incident -- even without the in-elevator video -- indicating the need for a more thorough investigation," the report said. "The NFL should have done more with the information it had, and should have taken additional steps to obtain all available information about the February 15 incident."
The report also said the NFL failed to:
• Contact police officers who investigated the incident, the Atlantic City Prosecutor's office or the hotel to obtain or view the in-elevator video.
• Ask Rice or his lawyer if they would make the tape available.
• Follow up with the Baltimore Ravens to determine if it had additional information, following the league's initial contact with the team.
In response to the report's findings, a joint statement was released by New York Giants president John Mara and Pittsburgh Steelers president Art Rooney II.
"As owners, we are the first to agree that the NFL did not have a sufficient policy in place to deal with players or other personnel accused of domestic violence," the statement read in part. "... We were slow to react, and in the case of Ray Rice, the original punishment was insufficient. In addition, the steps taken by the NFL to investigate this matter were inadequate. Since then, a new policy concerning domestic violence and other rules for conduct violations have been put into place. We believe these new policies are tough and appropriate."
While acknowledging that the NFL has made strides to improve its personal conduct policy, the report offered additional suggestions including the creation of a specialized investigative team for domestic violence and sexual abuse cases.
Comment