Everybody gets one… NFL Enacts Stricter Policy On Domestic Abuse The NFL has come under fire for its lenient punishment of domestic abusers . Now, the Commissioner is looking to change things. Via DailyMail : The National Football League has enacted stiffer punishments for any personnel who commit domestic violence. In a letter to team owners, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said players, coaches and owners now face a six-game suspension for a first offense and a lifetime ban for a second. Goodell said second-time offenders may petition for reinstatement after a year, but with no guarantees. Harsher penalties could also be levied for offenders with incidents before joining the NFL or ‘violence involving a weapon, choking, repeated striking, or when the act is committed against a pregnant woman or in the presence of a child,’ the letter states. The NFL has been criticized for its inconsistent and often lax penalties for off-field offenses. Ravens running back Ray Rice, for example, had to sit out just two games for hitting his now-wife Janay in an Atlantic City casino. In contrast, Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon had to stay out of the 2014 season and was banned for a full year for testing positive for marijuana. In his letter, the commissioner admitted that he ‘didn’t get it right.’ ‘We allowed our standards to fall below where they should be and lost an important opportunity to emphasize our strong stance on a critical issue and the effective programs we have in place,’ Goodell wrote. ‘My disciplinary decision led the public to question our sincerity, our commitment, and whether we understood the toll that domestic violence inflicts on so many families. I take responsibility both for the decision and for ensuring that our actions in the future properly reflect our values.’ The NFL Players Association said the union was informed of the new policies but didn’t have to approve it, as it’s a change in personal conduct policy, a source told USA Today Sports. Hopefully this will make players think twice about their actions . Do you think the new punishment system is fair or overkill?
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NFL Enforces Tougher Domestic Violence Policy – Two Incidents Equals Lifetime Ban
