NFL releases memo on its actions against domestic violence

The NFL sent a memo to league officials Thursday night regarding actions the league has taken against domestic violence and sexual assault.

The memo notes that the league has hired Beth E. Richie, the director of the Institute of Research on Race and Public Policy at the University of Illinois-Chicago, as its senior adviser on domestic conduct.

The NFL sent a separate memo last week. The new memo was obtained by The Baltimore Sun, and can be read in full here.

In the memo, Goodell writes that the NFL is continuing to implement "commitments to address incidents of domestic violence and sexual assault, both in the NFL and in our society." The document reviews some of the actions the league has taken over the past week.

A group from our office joined me at The Hotline in Austin, Texas last weekend. We spent almost three hours with the leadership and staff of The Hotline, discussing the needs of the people they serve and issues they face in providing those services. ... This week, they have reported to us that their staff is able to answer nearly 20 percent more calls, chats and texts than a week ago.

According to Goodell, the NFL continued to meet with retired players. Goodell said the meeting "confirmed that retired players take great pride in their association with the NFL and strongly support the setting and maintenance of high standards of conduct."

Goodell said the league also "sought the perspectives of college football leaders, having met with University of Texas head coach Charlie Strong to discuss his approach to these issues with his college athletes."

Goodell also said the league will continue run PSAs to promote the awareness of domestic violence and sexual assault. The commissioner notes that doing so last week resulted in a 400 percent increase in web traffic to www.nomore.org compared to the weekend before.