Some owners have expressed concern over how the Kareem Hunt investigation was carried outGETTY IMAGES
The NFL plans to make "no immediate changes to its investigative procedures despite concerns by some owners over those methods arising" from the Kareem Hunt case, according sources cited by Mark Maske of the WASHINGTON POST. Sources said that the league "intends to stand firm behind its investigatory methods, at least for the time being, and will attempt to address any concerns that might be raised by owners in the aftermath of the Hunt case." It is "not clear" if the concerned owners "eventually will be able to enact any changes." If there "are to be eventual modifications," a source said that the "best chance for that to happen could be during the upcoming set of labor negotiation." If the NFLPA "pushes for modifications to the sport’s system of player discipline and its investigative procedures as part of the upcoming collective bargaining agreement negotiations," the source said that the league and the owners "might be receptive to making such changes." It is "believed to be a growing but still relatively small number of owners who are concerned and, in some cases, upset about the league’s investigation of Hunt." Those owners with concerns "want to revisit the issue, consider possible changes and, if the league’s investigatory methods cannot be improved to their satisfaction, contemplate the idea of whether the NFL should conduct such investigations at all" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 12/12).
MORE CLARITY WANTED: NFL Network's Judy Battista reported the owners "feel like they have to continue doing their own investigations," though they would like "some clarity from the league about exactly how they go about doing those investigations" ("NFL Total Access," NFL Network, 12/11). A source said, “I don’t sense that there will be any big changes. Are there problems that come up? Yes. But I think Roger Goodell believes that this is the better way to go, to continue doing our own investigations” (NEWSDAY, 12/12).
MESSAGE NEEDS TO BE SENT: U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) recently sent Goodell a letter concerning the circumstances around both Hunt and Reuben Foster, who was claimed by the Redskins just days after he was released by the 49ers after being arrested for domestic assault. During an appearance on ESPN's "OTL" yesterday, Blumenthal said, "What really is necessary for the NFL to do is investigate effectively and discipline adequately. To send a message not only to players but also to fans that it will not condone a culture of domestic violence or sexual assault. ... It shouldn't take a graphic, gruesome video -- as it did in the case of Kareem Hunt -- for there to be effective discipline." He added the NFL has "adopted supposedly a zero-tolerance policy" on the issue and has "taken some action in some cases." Blumenthal: "But they are isolated, far and few between. What's really necessary is a consistent, proactive, aggressive policy" ("OTL," ESPN, 12/11).
