Who's in Charge of NFL's Investigation Into Handling of Ray Rice Incident
A former FBI director and two team owners have been appointed by the league.
— -- The NFL has called in a few heavy-hitters to take over the investigation into the Ray Rice domestic assault incident after the league has come under heavy criticism for their handling of the case.
A former FBI director and two of the league's most respected owners have now been tasked with examining the NFL's handling of the investigation and ensuing punishments for the Baltimore Ravens' running back.
The NFL put out a statement Wednesday from Commissioner Roger Goodell saying that former FBI Director Robert Mueller will be in charge of the investigation, while Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney and New York Giants owner John Mara will be overseeing the ensuing report, which will be made public at a date not-yet specified.
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The involvement of a former FBI director in a football investigation is nothing new, as Mueller's predecessor at the FBI Louis Freeh handled the Penn State child abuse scandal in November 2011. Unlike Freeh, however, Mueller's law firm had previously worked with the NFL, which may prompt questions about the independence of the investigation.
Here is a rundown of the investigation's key players:
Robert Mueller
Robert Mueller is no stranger to high pressure situations since he assumed the role as the FBI's sixth director just one week before the terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. He stepped down last September after agreeing to stay on past his original term at the urging of President Obama.
Prior to his time at the FBI, he also worked as an attorney general in California, tried homicide cases in D.C. and held a partner position at a Boston law firm that focused on white collar crime.
Since stepping back from public service, he has returned to his legal roots. Mueller is currently a partner at WilmerHale, the law firm that was used to negotiate the DirecTV NFL Sunday package in 2002. A second connection between the sports league and the firm comes with Jay Bauman, the NFL's second-highest ranking in-house lawyer. Bauman worked at WilmerHale until he left to join the NFL in 1999.
Art Rooney
The Rooneys have had a hand in professional football for generations and Art Rooney II's grandfather, Art Sr., was the founder of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Art Jr. now serves as the team's president and co-owns the team with his father, Art Sr.'s son, Dan Rooney.
Art Jr., 61, is seen as a leader within the NFL and holds positions on the league's Legislative Committee and the Management Council Executive Committee.
John Mara
Similar to the Rooneys, the Maras were the founding family of the New York Giants and the original founder's grandson John Mara now owns the team. Mara, like Rooney, is an attorney and he helped negotiate the league's collective bargaining agreement with the player's association.
Mara, 59, has also has been a part of the NFL Competition Committee which is tasked with examining league policy and suggesting rule changes when deemed necessary.
In addition to both being seen effectively as 'elder statesmen' of the NFL, the Rooney and Mara families are also connected by marriage.
Art Rooney II's sister is married to John Mara's brother, and that connection has seeped into the entertainment world as the couple's daughters -- Rooney Mara and Kate Mara -- are actresses known for their roles in film and television.
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