Former FBI director Robert Mueller released his findings today from his investigation into the NFL's handling of the Ray Rice domestic violence incident. Mueller concluded that the NFL had not received or seen the shocking video of Rice striking his then-fiancéé in an Atlantic City elevator.
"We found no evidence that anyone at the NFL had or saw the in-elevator video before it was publicly shown. We also found no evidence that a woman at the NFL acknowledged receipt of that video in a voicemail message on April 9, 2014," the report said.
Initially, an Associated Press report led the public to believe that someone in the NFL offices had received the video.
The findings are in conjunction with what NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has said from the beginning. However, the report did note that the league could have done more to investigate the incident.
"We concluded there was substantial information about the incident -- even without the in-elevator video -- indicating the need for a more thorough investigation," the report said. "The NFL should have done more with the information it had, and should have taken additional steps to obtain all available information about the February 15 incident."
The report went on to criticize the NFL for failing to contact police authorities directly involved in the incident, work with Rice and/or his lawyers to get the video tape, and follow up with the Baltimore Ravens properly.
New York Giants President John Mara and Pittsburgh Steelers President Art Rooney II, who were chosen by the league to oversee Mueller's investigation, released a joint statement regarding the findings.
"As owners, we are the first to agree that the NFL did not have a sufficient policy in place to deal with players or other personnel accused of domestic violence," the statement read in part. "... We were slow to react, and in the case of Ray Rice, the original punishment was insufficient. In addition, the steps taken by the NFL to investigate this matter were inadequate. Since then, a new policy concerning domestic violence and other rules for conduct violations have been put into place. We believe these new policies are tough and appropriate."
