Goodell: New conduct policy on way

— -- NEW YORK -- NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said Friday that there have been too many examples of late of the NFL "doing wrong" and "that starts with me." He also said he did not consider resigning amid increasing criticism that the league hasn't acted quickly or emphatically enough concerning domestic abuse cases.

Goodell made his first public comments since Sept. 10, and in them vowed that the league would "get our house in order first" and that he would work to earn back the trust of players and fans alike.

The commissioner also said the league would implement a new personal conduct policy with the goal of finalizing it before the Super Bowl in February. He also said he would establish a "conduct committee" to ensure that the new policies and practices are followed.

"Nothing is off the table," he said, adding that he and DeMaurice Smith, the executive director of the players association, will meet next week.

Ravens running back Ray Rice was released by the team on Sept. 8 after a video showed him striking his then-fiancée unconscious. He reiterated that he made mistakes in the handling of the Rice's case.

"The same mistakes can never be repeated," Goodell said.

Vikings star running back Adrian Peterson, Carolina defensive end Greg Hardy and Arizona running back Jonathan Dwyer are on a special commissioner's exemption list and are being paid while they go through the legal process. Ray McDonald, a defensive end for San Francisco, continues to practice and play while being investigated on suspicion of domestic violence.

As these cases have come to light, such groups as the National Organization of Women and league partners and sponsors have come down hard on the NFL to be more responsive in dealing with them. Congress also is watching to see how the NFL reacts.

In response to the criticism, the NFL announced it is partnering with a domestic violence hotline and a sexual violence resource center.

Goodell also said in a memo to the clubs late Thursday that within the next 30 days, all NFL and team personnel will participate in education sessions on domestic violence and sexual assault. The memo said the league will work with the union in providing the "information and tools to understand and recognize domestic violence and sexual assault."

"We recognize that domestic violence and sexual assault exists everywhere. It affects all of us," Goodell said Friday. "These are problems we're committed to addressing. But we cannot solve them by ourselves."

Colts receiver  Reggie Wayne seemed confident that the league would overcome the turmoil of the past two weeks.

"In due time wounds will heal. Hopefully the NFL can kind of get a grip on everything and all the players can get a grip on whatever the rules are," Wayne said prior to Goodell's news conference. " We can put some steak or ice on this black eye and let it heal up a little bit."

Many players, including former NFL receiver Sidney Rice, tweeted while Goodell was speaking.

Information from ESPN Colts reporter Mike Wells was included in this report.