National Football League

Women hired to strengthen NFL's domestic violence awareness, social programs

Published Sep. 15, 2014 12:25 p.m. ET

Mike Garafolo

After taking its share of criticism for moving too slowly to discipline Ray Rice, the NFL is acting quickly to do some damage control and strengthen its programs for domestic violence and other social issues going forward.

In a memo to teams and staff this morning that was obtained by FOX Sports, commissioner Roger Goodell announced the addition of several staffers and advisors who will help shape programs, sharpen education and provide support for players and employees.

The moves come as criticism has mounted for the league's bungling of the Rice situation, as well as the controversies surrounding the Carolina Panthers' Greg Hardy, the San Francisco 49ers' Ray McDonald and the Minnesota Vikings' Adrian Peterson.

"Last month, I wrote to you and our staff that our organization will continue to evolve and meet our challenges and opportunities," Goodell wrote. "We are committed to developing our talent and putting the best people behind our most important priorities."

Goodell promoted Anna Isaacson to a new, expanded role of vice president of social responsibility. Isaacson, currently the league's vice president of community affairs and philanthropy, will "oversee the development of the full range of education, training and support programs relating to domestic violence, sexual assault and matters of respect."

Goodell also announced the league has retained three senior advisors -- Lisa Friel, Jane Randel and Rita Smith -- "to help lead and shape the NFL's policies and programs relating to domestic violence and sexual assault."

Friel was the head of the sex crimes prosecution unit in the New York City DA's office; Randel is the co-founder of No More, a national initiative to raise awareness regarding domestic violence and sexual assault; and Smith is the former executive director of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

The league will also continue its work with two programs -- Coach For America and A Call To Men -- to educate players and coaches "about character, respect and professionalism," according to Goodell.

"We are continuing to develop our organization to strengthen our ability to address the wide range of issues we face and other changes in our office will be announced soon," Goodell said. "Our goal is to make a real difference on these and other issues. We know that we will be judged by our actions and their effectiveness."

Though many might continue to judge the league by its actions in the past few months, it's clear the NFL is trying to address the problem with these programs and its ongoing investigation into whether someone in the league office saw the video of Rice hitting his wife in an Atlantic City elevator.

While Goodell and other executives are expecting a thorough independent investigation from Robert Mueller, it has become clear they want the investigation completed as quickly as possible. Adding owners John Mara and Art Rooney II as overseers of the investigation was designed to help streamline the process.

This will not be like last year when the investigation into the Jonathan Martin-Richie Incognito bullying scandal dragged out for months, with the findings being released after the Super Bowl. The NFL wants to get Mueller's findings into the hands of owners and fans as quickly as possible.

A source also told FOX Sports if Mueller uncovers evidence that reveals a high-ranking executive was negligent and/or viewed the Rice video, that information will be brought to Mara and Rooney immediately and Mueller won't wait until the end of the investigation to reveal it.

The NFL has surely noted October is just a few months away. That's when the players and coaches will wear pink to support breast cancer awareness. The investigation and the appointments Goodell has made come in advance of the expected criticism the league will receive for supporting women on the field despite recent events off it.