NOW wants Roger Goodell out

ByABC News
September 10, 2014, 12:19 PM

— -- Terry O'Neill, the president of the National Organization for Women, has called for NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to resign, citing Ray Rice's assault on his now-wife as just one of many examples of the league's failure to act against domestic violence.

"The NFL has lost its way. It doesn't have a Ray Rice problem; it has a violence against women problem," O'Neill said in a statement. "... The only workable solution is for Roger Goodell to resign and for his successor to appoint an independent investigator with full authority to gather factual data about domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking within the NFL community and to recommend real and lasting reforms."

In the release, NOW listed Rice, San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman Ray McDonald, Carolina Panthers defensive lineman Greg Hardy and Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones as examples of cases the league has failed to act on.

"The NFL sets the example for college, high school, middle school and even elementary school football programs," O'Neill said. "And the example it is setting right now is simply unacceptable. New leadership must come in with a specific charge to transform the culture of violence against women that pervades the NFL. That's the only way to restore honor and integrity to the country's most lucrative and popular pastime."

Goodell told CBS News that he doesn't believe his job is in jeopardy as a result of his handling of the Rice situation but admitted the league has a domestic violence problem.

Asked if he felt his job was on the line, Goodell answered: "No."

"I'm used to criticism. I'm used to that. Every day, I have to earn my stripes," he said in a portion of Tuesday's interview that aired on "CBS This Morning" on Wednesday. "Every day, I have to, to do a better job. And that's my responsibility to the game, to the NFL and to what I see as society.

"People expect a lot from the NFL. We accept that. We embrace that. That's our opportunity to make a difference, not just in the NFL but in society in general. We have that ability. We have that influence. And we have to do that. And every day, that's what we're going to strive to do."

In the interview with CBS News, Goodell acknowledged that the NFL has a domestic violence problem because "one case is too many."