Report: DeMaurice Smith, Roger Goodell meeting to discuss conduct
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and NFLPA president DeMaurice Smith are meeting in New York City on Tuesday to discuss the NFL's personal conduct policy, reports NFL.com's Albert Breer.
Goodell first announced that he and the NFL are planning on making changes to the policy during his first press conference after the release of the second Ray Rice video last month.
He and the league have been the subjects of significant criticism over the handling of Rice's domestic violence case, as well as the criminal cases of several other players, including Carolina Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy, Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson and San Francisco 49ers defensive end Ray McDonald.
While Goodell announced stricter penalties for domestic violence offenders after criticism of his initial two-game suspension of Rice, he announced further potential changes after the release of video depicting Rice striking his then-fiancée and the subsequent indefinite suspension of Rice. Hardy and Peterson were placed on paid leave in the weeks that followed until the conclusion of their criminal proceedings.
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In recent weeks, Goodell has met with multiple parties to discuss the NFL's personal conduct policy, including a group of 11 former players and Texas coach Charlie Strong.
SI.com's Don Banks reported ahead of the NFL's fall owners meeting last week that sentiment is increasing within the league that Goodell needs to and is prepared to cede control in the disciplinary process.
At the meeting, Goodell said that the owners spent five hours discussing domestic violence and how better to address the issue. According to Goodell, a balance needs to be struck between "due process" and "protecting the integrity of the game."
It's unclear when any potential changes to the personal conduct personal will be implemented.
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Goodell and the NFL are currently being investigated over the handling of the Rice case in a process headed by former FBI director Robert Mueller III. Rice is appealing his indefinite suspension and his hearing will be overseen by an independent arbiter instead of Goodell.
- Ben Estes
