AUSTIN, Texas (AP) – Facing criticism about the handling recent abuse cases, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell paid a visit Saturday night to the headquarters of the National Domestic Violence Hotline.
“Doing the work, as they say,” was all Goodell would say when as he and several league officials walked into the nondescript, unmarked building in suburban Austin for what was expected to be about a two-hour private meeting. He gave a brief wave to cameras when he stepped out of his limousine.
Goodell and the league have been heavily criticized over how they handled the recent suspension of Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice, who punched his then-fiancee Janay Palmer in the face in an elevator.
The league was criticized as not acting quickly or emphatically enough when handling domestic violence cases and Goodell has said he mishandled the Rice case.
Goodell said he was invited to the hotline offices but did not elaborate as he walked in the door and ignored further questions. The NFL recently announced a plan to donate millions annually to the hotline and other domestic violence-prevention groups.