The president of the National Organization for Women says that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell gets a big “F” when it comes to how he has addressed domestic violence in the NFL.
When North Carolina’s Republican Governor, Pat McCrory, signed into law a bill that barred local governments from extending civil rights protections to gay and transgender people, the backlash from political leaders, business and professional sports organizations, leagues and teams was immediate and nationwide. And with good reason.
Legislators representing eight states sent a letter to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on Wednesday urging him to implement a league-wide standard of classifying cheerleaders as employees – entitling them to minimum wage and other employee protections.
Women’s advocacy groups on Thursday excoriated NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell’s changes to the league’s personal conduct policy, saying it does not do enough to help victims and hold players who commit domestic violence accountable. “It’s an exercise in public relations,” National Organization for Women President Terry O’Neill told Reuters. “Roger Goodell’s idea of leadership is Read more …
The victim is an afterthought in this “new” policy — as she was in the old policy. Once again, Roger Goodell’s focus is on window dressing rather than effective, systemic change. NOW continues to call Goodell’s behavior shameful, unacceptable and impossible to defend. Roger Goodell must stop scrambling to save his own career, and resign without delay.
Terry O’Neill, President of the National Organization for Women, writes in an article for Time about the NFL, Roger Goodell, and Ray Rice. She challenges the victim blaming, manipulation of law enforcement, and misleading of the public in the aftermath of the latest domestic violence case within the NFL community.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell’s today did nothing to increase confidence in his ability to lead the NFL out of its morass.
As a result of the specific circumstances of Black women and the fact that the majority of the players in the NFL are African American, addressing this issue in a culturally competent way requires the inclusion of Black women.
Nor is football as a sport to blame for domestic violence and the broad cultural tolerance for violence against women. The institution is a product of a wider cultural problem, but that doesn’t mean it cannot play a huge part in changing the culture of violence.
Critics are ripping Goodell’s handling of the situation, and Wednesday the National Organization for Women called for his resignation. Here is a part of NOW’s statement: “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.”