Survivors' letter to Commissioner Goodell:
Roger Goodell, Commissioner
cc: Anna Isaacson, Vice President for Social Responsibility
cc: Greg Aiello, Vice President, Public Relations
cc: Anheuser-Busch, CoverGirl, McDonald's, Microsoft, Nike, Visa
Dear Mr. Goodell,
Like far too many Americans, we are survivors of domestic violence and/or sexual assault, or their loved ones, and we write to say this:
Under your leadership, more than 50 cases of domestic abuse have gone with little to no accountability, and even high-profile sexual assault cases were ignored. You have proven that you cannot lead the NFL on these issues. Every single day that you continue as Commissioner of the National Football League sends the message to both players and young people that an NFL player can attack another individual and get away with it. That fact remains true under your tenure today, as perpetrators of domestic and sexual violence still play in the NFL without appropriate punishment.
What's more, you haven't take responsibility for the NFL's dangerous contribution to the problem of domestic violence and sexual assault in this country. As you know, domestic violence and sexual assault aren't just NFL problems, they are American problems: when 1 in 4 women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime and 1 in 3 will be sexually assaulted, we can't afford to have a commissioner responsible for America's most popular sport who doesn't take this issue seriously. With your presence, a dark cloud will remain over one of America's most important institutions. You no longer have the credibility to lead and it is time to step aside for someone who can.
For the sake of people who are or may be affected by perpetrators of violence still playing in the league--and the example they set as role models for the next generation--please resign immediately.
We are also sending a copy of this letter to major NFL corporate sponsors.
Signed,
Over 250 domestic violence survivors, sexual assault survivors, and their family and friends
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NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell needs to be held accountable for his failures, which include incompetent mishandling of violence cases, refusing to enforce the NFL's personal conduct policy, and lying to the American public. The best way to do that is continue building pressure through the media on him and sponsors. That's why we--survivors of domestic violence and/or sexual assault, as well as those of us who know survivors--are speaking out, demanding that he resign.
We've seen in past campaigns before how pressure from those who have seen violence creates accountability. If we sign onto this letter, Commissioner Goodell--as well as the NFL's major sponsors, to whom we are sending a copy--will have to answer. The media won't let them get away with ignoring an appeal directly from assault survivors and those who know them. Can you add your name?