In his first public comments since news of Adrian Peterson's indictment broke, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a Friday news conference the league is prepared to dole out tougher punishment for player impropriety going forward but offered few specifics beyond the formation of various committees to help the league get its house in order.
Goodell had been silent for more than a week while the NFL felt the backlash from mounting controversies involving Peterson, Ray Rice and others.
"I got in wrong in the handling of the Ray Rice matter, and I'm sorry for that," Goodell said. "I got it wrong on a number of levels, from the process that I lead, to the decision that I reached, but now I will get it right and will do whatever's necessary to accomplish that."
Asked specifically about Peterson's situation about 15 minutes into a 45-minute news conference, Goodell said:
"While I'm disappointed in what Adrian Peterson was involved with, we want to see the facts. But I think what we see so far is tragic. I have two daughters who are 13. It's very difficult to see. I think what we have to do is allow those facts to proceed."
Reaction to Goodell on Twitter was primarily negative, including former Viking Sidney Rice tweeting "Boo this man," among other things, as the press conference proceeded.
