The National Football League has had trouble keeping the sport’s focus on the field.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell spoke at a press conference Friday in New York City, after the NFL announced plans to require all team personnel and staff to go through training on preventing domestic violence and sexual assault, according to ESPN.
"We strongly condemn and will punish behavior that is unacceptable," Goodell said at the conference.
New behavioral standards will cover a broad range of acts: sexual assault, child abuse, and the illegal use of firearms and alcohol. Goodell said he hopes new policies will be implemented by the Super Bowl, which is scheduled for Feb. 1, 2015.
"We've seen all too much of the NFL doing wrong. That starts with me," Goodell said. "I got it wrong on a number of levels."
Goodell apologized for his initial response to the Ray Rice domestic violence incident and promised to gather experts to get the NFL's "house in order." He rebuffed questions about losing sponsors -- or resigning as commissioner.
"I believe I have the support of the owners," Goodell said.
The public appearance was Goodell’s first since Sept. 10, after calls by some media members for Goodell to address major issues hitting the NFL.
The news conference comes in a month where the NFL has:
-- Increased the suspension for Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice from two games to indefinite following the release of a video showing Rice hitting his then-fiancee.
-- Approved the Minnesota Vikings’ decision to put star running back Adrian Peterson on the exempt/commissioner’s permission list after Peterson was indicted on child abuse charges.
-- Approved the Carolina Panthers’ decision to put defensive end Greg Hardy on the exempt/commissioner’s permission list while Hardy awaits a jury trial for assault on a female. Hardy was found guilty by a judge before requesting the jury trial.
The press conference was interrupted by a man yelling near the podium, who was escorted out by security. The man was identified as a cast member from The Howard Stern Show, according to The Bleacher Report.
