National Football League

NOW president decries Goodell's statements, says NFL commissioner 'must go'

Published Sep. 19, 2014 5:59 p.m. ET

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National Organization for Women president Terry O'Neill decried Roger Goodell's statements and continued to insist on the NFL commissioner's resignation after Goodell's press conference addressing domestic violence in the league on Friday.

Despite Goodell's vow to re-evaluate the league's policies, O'Neill said the commissioner "did nothing to increase confidence in his ability to lead the NFL out of its morass," O'Neill said in a statement released on Friday. "Like Mr. Goodell's other announcement, it is aimed at moving this story off the front page.

"Glaringly absent from Mr. Goodell's remarks is a commitment to conduct an independent investigation into all of the incidents of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking on his watch," the statement continued. "Roger Goodell's steadfast refusal to broach these questions speaks a lot louder than his formulaic mea culpas and repeated promises that he's going to do better."

O'Neill went on to insist Goodell step down from his position: "NOW continues to demand that he resign and that his successor appoint a thorough, independent investigator with full authority to unpack all relevant aspects of the NFL's response to incidents of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking, and to make serious recommendations for change.

"The time for half measures and PR feints is long past. For the good of the NFL, Roger Goodell must go."

Goodell said during the press conference's question and answer session that he has no intent on resigning as commissioner or the National Football League.

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