These are being interpreted as the most critical remarks of Goodell by an NFL executive to date.
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Packers CEO Mark Murphy talks about current NFL crisishttp://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/packers-ceo-mark-murphy-talks-about-current-nfl-crisis-b99361761z1-277682141.htmlThe president and CEO of the Green Bay Packers, Mark Murphy, said the situation the National Football League faces in the aftermath of the bungling of the Ray Rice and Adrian Peterson cases is the biggest crisis the league has faced since he first played for the Washington Redskins in the late 1970s.
Murphy made his remarks as the featured speaker Tuesday at the Marquette Law School during a one-hour presentation, part of the "On the Issues with Mike Gousha" series.
"I do think the credibility of the league has been challenged," Murphy said. "I think we have taken a real hit in terms of credibility, respect. I don't think it is fatal. But people have lost a little respect for the league."
Commissioner Roger Goodell's handling of the Rice episode of domestic violence, followed by the Peterson incident of corporal punishment, have cast a pall over the league, with some observers calling for Goodell to resign or be removed.
At the moment, NFL owners have not shown an inclination to move to dismiss Goodell and are awaiting the results of an internal investigation into the Rice episode, an investigation that itself has been criticized for a lack of independence.
"The league has been so successful...I think when you stumble a little bit, people are eager to, are quick to criticize," Murphy said. "Quite honestly, I have great respect for Roger. I think he has done a lot of really good things for the league. But when your compensation is $44 million, some people look at that and say they are out of touch with the rest of society. And then when you do err, when you do make a mistake, I think it is very easy for people to really turn on you."
But Murphy, who joined the Packers in 2008, said the eagerness of some to condemn is just part of the dynamic.
"There was a stretch there for two or three weeks where every other day you pick up something," Murphy said. "Well now the AP report says they did see it. The videotape from the elevator from the Ray Rice incident, then Adrian Peterson.
"When you have negative news one of the best things you can do is try to just make sure the story doesn't have legs. This one, this one had legs that were running."
Moderator Gousha asked Murphy if the problem was fixable.
"We'll see," Murphy said. "I think Roger has done some good things, particularly on the domestic violence front....To me a key, key, key is going to be the investigation....To see what that shows. We have an owners' meeting coming up next week in New York. The hope was the investigation would be completed by then. Whether or not it (will be) I don't know."Murphy, who played safety for eight seasons in Washington, was asked if owners are starting to pressure owner Daniel Snyder to change the Redskins name.
"There have been discussions at the league level," Murphy said. "We have had some discussions at owners' meetings. Dan has made presentations. Quite honestly, I think with all the issues we are facing, with domestic violence and concussions, it's probably not at the top of the list."
Murphy said he was "very sensitive" to the issue because Green Bay is "right in the middle of the Oneida Nation," which has taken an unambiguous stance on the issue — the name is offensive and has to go. He also mentioned that as athletic director at Colgate, he ushered the change of the school's nickname from Red Raiders to Raiders.
Oneida Nation and the Packers have long been business partners, including sponsorship of the east gate of Lambeau Field, a deal last renewed in 2012.
"I think when it gets to the point where it's costing the team and the league money, then you will start to see real serious discussion about it," Murphy said.
