National Football League

Goodell announces independent investigation, but critics keep coming

Published Sep. 11, 2014 3:00 a.m. ET

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As Wednesday night came to a close, just hours after an Associated Press report that the NFL did indeed receive a copy of the now-infamous Ray Rice elevator video in April, commissioner Roger Goodell announced the appointment of former FBI director Robert Mueller to head an "independent investigation into the NFL's pursuit and handling of evidence in the Ray Rice domestic violence incident."

The statement also noted, however, that Giants owner John Mara and Steelers owner Art Rooney would oversee the investigation.

Despite calls from all corners Wednesday for an independent investigation, the announcement seemed to fall short for many critics. Perhaps most notable among those critics was National Organization of Women president Terry O'Neill, who earlier in the day called for Goodell to resign. After the announcement of the independent investigation, O'Neill criticized the league and Goodell during an interview on FOX Sports Live. You can see that interview above.

But O'Neill was far from the only critic.

UFC president Dana White told FOX Sports Live: "If Roger Goodell saw that video [before handing Rice a two-game suspension in July], knew that was what happened, knew that Ray Rice did that to his wife or his fiancée or whatever it is, he should just get up and leave on his own."

Here is that interview:

In terms of the reasoning behind Goodell's decision, FOX Sports 1 NFL Insider Mike Garafolo provided insight, and also explained what to expect next, most notably, to "follow the money":

Of course in this day and age, Twitter brings the swiftest, and often most blunt, reaction. And Wednesday was no different.

As for the rest of Wednesday's developments:

•   After his share of criticisms, as well, Atlantic County (NJ) Prosecutor Jim McClain defended his handling of the Rice case from its onset.

•   The issue of domestic abuse hit home for the Carolina Panthers, whose star defensive player missed practice to meet with his attorney before team owner Jerry Richardson broke down before a crowd while speaking about domestic violence during an acceptance speech for a humanitarian award.

•   FOX Sports NFL reporter Peter Schrager looked at exactly how the NFL would go about getting rid of Goodell, should the owners choose that course of action.

•   Several members of Congress went on record, questioning Goodell's handling of the investigation.

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