NFL announces domestic violence policy: Lifetime ban for 2nd offense

In a letter to NFL owners Thursday, commissioner Roger Goodell announced a new domestic violence policy for all NFL personnel. The letter said that for a first

SI Wire | Aug 28, 2014

NFL announces domestic violence policy: Lifetime ban for 2nd offense /

In a letter to NFL owners Thursday, commissioner Roger Goodell announced a new domestic violence policy for all NFL personnel.

The letter said that for a first domestic violence offense, a player will be suspended for six games. A second offense will result in a lifetime ban.

The change comes after Goodell suspended Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice for two games after he was indicted on aggravated assault charges in March for an incident with his then-fiancée. Video footage showed Rice dragging an unconscious Janay Palmer, now his wife, out of an elevator in an Atlantic City casino. Rice received approval in June to enter a pretrial intervention program.

Goodell admitted in the letter that he "didn't get [the ruling] right."

In the letter, Goodell said:

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. I didn’t get it right.

Goodell also sent a memo to all personnel to explain the new policy.

Widespread Goodell memo detailed new educational program on domestic violence, outreach to young athletes, additional services for families.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) August 28, 2014

After Rice's suspension was announced, Goodell told reporters that the NFL had a "very firm policy that domestic violence is not acceptable."

The commissioner also said the NFL has to remain consistent with its discipline. In Rice's case, Goodell said the length of the suspension was influenced by the fact that Rice was not disciplined by the criminal justice system.

On July 31, Rice addressed the suspension at a news conference and said he has to "pay" for his actions because "violence of any kind, especially man on woman, is not right."

Under the new policy, players would be able to apply for reinstatement if given a lifetime ban.

The NFLPA released a statement Thursday afternoon in response to the new policy. The statement in full:

“We were informed today of the NFL’s decision to increase penalties on domestic violence offenders under the Personal Conduct Policy for all NFL employees. As we do in all disciplinary matters, if we believe that players’ due process rights are infringed upon during the course of discipline, we will assert and defend our members’ rights.”

GALLERY: SI'S 60 GREATEST NFL PHOTOS

60 Greatest NFL Photos

1954

Bobby Layne led the Detroit Lions to NFL titles in 1952 and '53, but had to settle for a conference crown in '54.

1958

Colts back Alan Ameche scored the winning touchdown against the Giants in the NFL Championship, labeled ''The Greatest Game Ever Played.''

1960

Eagles linebacker Chuck Bednarik knocked Giants back Frank Gifford out of the game ... and the following season.

1960

Jim Taylor could grind out yardage for Green Bay even when the tundra wasn't frozen.

1962

The Colts' Jimmy Orr beat tight coverage for a touchdown catch against the 49ers.

1962

The Packers' grasp exceeded their reach as they tried to knock down a chip shot by 49ers kicker Tommy Davis.

1964

Browns back Jim Brown tries for a touchdown against the Colts during the 1964 NFL Championship at Municipal Stadium in Cleveland.

1966

Packers linebacker Ray Nitschke recovers a Jim Brown fumble during the NFL Championship at Lambeau Field.

1968

Jerry Kramer (64) and Forrest Gregg carry Vince Lombardi off the field after Green Bays' second straight Super Bowl triumph and Lombardi's final game as the Packers' coach.

1968

Pete Beathard (11) called the Oilers' play as this shot was snapped from a catwalk inside the Astrodome.

1968

John Mackey (88) and Johnny Unitas (19) huddle with their fellow Colts during practice at Memorial Stadium, shot with a fisheye lense.

1968

Dick Butkus made eight straight Pro Bowls and led the Monsters of the Midway in intimidation for nine years.

1969

Broadway Joe offered reporters, including Brent Musburger (left), a guarantee: the underdog Jets would shock 18-point favorite Baltimore in Super Bowl III.

1969

Vikings back Dave Osborn took a lick from the Rams' Deacon Jones (75) but still scored.

1970

Eight months after Super Bowl IV, Dave Osborn and the Vikings avenged their loss to Willie Lanier (63) and the Chiefs.

1971

The Colts' margin of victory over the Cowboys in Super Bowl V was provided by Jim O'Brien on this field goal.

1971

Mean Joe Greene, the first pick in the '69 draft, became the cornerstone of a Steelers team that dominated with defense and won four Super Bowls.

1972

Packers tackle Mike McCoy had mayhem in mind but couldn't reach 49ers quarterback Steve Spurrier before he let it fly.

1973

The Dolphins' Manny Fernandez (75) pursues Redskins quarterback Billy Kilmer in Super Bowl VII.

1973

Don Shula celebrates with his Dolphins, who capped off their undefeated season -- still unmatched in NFL history -- with a win in Super Bowl VII.

1973

The Mayhem of football took a toll on the hands of Steelers defensive end L.C. Greenwood.

1973

O.J. Simpson broke Jim Brown's single-season rushing record with this carry, and ended the season with 2,003 yards.

1974

Mercury Morris helped the Dolphins dominate Jim Marshall (70) and the Vikings in Super Bowl VIII.

1974

Jets quarterback Joe Namath listens on the sidelines during a messy game against the Bills at Shea Stadium.

1976

Steelers wideout Lynn Swann laid out the Cowboys in Super Bowl X in Miami, and was the game's MVP.

1979

Tight end Jackie Smith flops in the end zone after dropping a potential game-tying touchdown. Dallas had to settle for a field goal en route to losing Super Bowl XIII 35-31.

1982

Dwight Clark's last-minute catch beat the Cowboys and put the 49ers in the Super Bowl.

1982

49ers fullback Earl Cooper celebrates after scoring a 10-yard receiving touchdown in the second quarter of Super Bowl XVI.

1983

The Chargers' Mike Williams got up high to cover Dolphins tight end Bruce Hardy, who went even higher for this catch.

1984

Walter Payton went around, through and sometimes over the defense to pick up precious yards.

1986

The Bears' Reggie Phillips returned this interception for a TD in Chicago's rout of the Patriots in Super Bowl XX.

1988

Referee Jack Vaughn tries to follow an Eagles' field goal attempt during the Fog Bowl, an NFC divisional playoff game against the Bears.

1989

With only 3:10 left in the game, Joe Montana marched the 49ers 92 yards down the field to beat the Bengals 20-16 in Super Bowl XXIII.

1991

Raiders quarterback Jay Schroeder was an unlucky 13 when Bills defenders put a new twist on the old gang tackle.

1994

The Cowboys' Emmitt Smith ran into heavy traffic while the Giants' Lawrence Taylor tried to run into Smith.

1994

Hats off to Raiders linebacker Mike Jones for not flagging the ref for holding on this play.

1994

Dan Marino had to contend with the Patriots' rush and a ravaged field in Miami.

1994

Barry Sanders ran circles around NFL defenses with an electrifying style unlike anything the league had seen.

1994

The Bears' Chris Zorich felt the chill of 15-degree weather in December, in Green Bay.

1995

Chiefs back Marcus Allen scored the 100th of his 123 career rushing TDs, in Denver.

1996

Chiefs cornerback Dale Carter was stretched to the limit when he broke up this pass to Packers wideout Don Beebe.

1999

Jaguars quarterback Mark Brunell went up and over two Browns to reach the end zone in Cleveland.

1999

Steve McNair paid a high price to reach paydirt against the Steelers.

2001

All hands were on deck--and on Aaron Brooks (2)--as the Giants' defense scuttled the Saints' quarterback.

2001

Vikings wideout Randy Moss took matters into his own hand to make this reception against the Steelers.

2002

Dolphins tight end Randy McMichael soars over Saints defenders to score during a preseason game.

2003

Steelers wideout Antwaan Randle El provided a turning point of sorts when he was face-masked by the Browns' Chris Akins.

2003

Titans receiver Justin McCareins had a meeting of the minds with Panthers linebacker Mike Caldwell (59) and safety Jarrod Cooper.

2003

The pylon left no doubt that Bengals running back Jeremi Johnson had scored against the Chiefs in Cincinnati.

2004

Tom Brady and the Patriots rush the field after defeating the Panthers 32-29 in Super Bowl XXXVIII.

2006

Chargers back LaDainian Tomlinson stiff arms Rams saftey O.J. Atogwe as he takes off on a 38-yard touchdown run.

2008

Giants wideout David Tyree secures a catch with his helmet against Patriots safety Rodney Harrison in Super Bowl XLII.

2009

Wideout Santonio Holmes's leaping touchdown grab with 42 seconds remaining gave the Steelers a 27-23 win over the Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII.

2009

Ravens wideout Derrick Mason rolls over in end zone after making a touchdown catch as Patriots safety Brandon Meriweather watches.

2009

Buccaneers linebacker Geno Hayes got upended during a field goal attempt by the Packers.

2010

Packers cornerback Charles Woodson returns an interception 48 yards for a touchdown against the Lions at Lambeau Field.

2010

Browns wideout Mohamed Massaquoi sustained a concussion on this hit by Steelers linebacker James Harrison.

2011

Jets linebacker David Harris rips the helmet off Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez as he makes the tackle.

2012

Giants back Ahmad Bradshaw scores with 57 seconds left in Super Bowl XLVI as he tried to stop himself from falling into the end zone to kill the clock.

2012

Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III stepped out of bounds before making a dive towards the end zone against the Bengals.

- Sarah Barshop

Published Aug 28, 2014

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