In a response to its growing image problem regarding domestic violence issues, the NFL announced Monday it has hired three experts in the field to serve as senior advisors to the league.
In a memo to owners and team presidents, Commissioner Roger Goodell named Lisa Friel, Jane Randel and Rita Smith as consultants "to provide specialized advice and guidance in ensuring that the NFL's programs reflect the most current and effective approaches" towards domestic violence and sexual assault cases.
Additionally, NFL vice president of community affairs and philanthropy Anna Isaacson will take over a newly created position of vice president of social responsibility, where she will oversee the development and implementation of programs designed to educate, train and support programs relating to domestic violence and sexual assault.
The move comes in the wake of a firestorm of criticism directed at Goodell and the NFL for its handling of four high-profile domestic violence instances, most notably the situations involving former Baltimore Raven Ray Rice and Minnesota Vikings star running back Adrian Peterson.
Rice was initially suspended two games by Goodell for an altercation with his then-fiancee in an Atlantic City casino back in February. After new video footage emerged last week that showed Rice punching Janay Palmer in a hotel elevator, the running back was promptly released by the Ravens and handed an indefinite league suspension.
Peterson was recently indicted by a Texas grand jury on allegations of physically abusing one of his children. The 2012 league MVP was deactivated by the Vikings for Sunday's game against the New England Patriots, though the team announced Monday that Peterson will practice and is expected to play in its upcoming contest at New Orleans.
Two other incidents involving defensive linemen have generated their share of negative publicity as well. Carolina Panthers end Greg Hardy was found guilty of assaulting and communicating threats to a former girlfriend back in July, while San Francisco 49ers end Ray McDonald was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence on Aug. 31 following an argument with his fiancee at a party.
The Panthers abruptly deactivated Hardy shortly prior to Sunday's game against the Detroit Lions as a result of the backlash. McDonald, who has not been formally charged with his case still under investigation, did play in the 49ers' loss to Chicago on Sunday night.
Friel directed the Sex Crimes Prosecution Unit in the New York County District Attorney's Office for more than a decade. Randel is the co-founder of NO MORE, a national campaign formed to raise the profile of cases of domestic violence and sexual assault. Smith formerly served as the executive director of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
"We have retained the services of three senior advisors -- Lisa Friel, Jane Randel and Rita Smith -- to help lead and shape the NFL's policies and programs relating to domestic violence and sexual assault," stated Goodell in the memo. "Each brings special knowledge and experience in these issues and will ensure that our efforts reflect the professionalism that should characterize everything the NFL does."
[SportsNetwork.com]
