Roger Goodell Speaks Out on How NFL Will Respond to Robert Kraft Prostitution Case
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell broke his silence on New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft’s arrest last month for allegedly soliciting prostitution at a Florida massage parlor.
At the NFL owner’s meetings in Phoenix on Tuesday, Goodell was asked if Kraft will be suspended for violating the league’s personal conduct policy.
“I think we said several weeks ago the personal conduct policy applies to everybody: commissioners, owners, executives, players, coaches, and it will be applied to everybody,” Goodell said at a news conference at the Arizona Biltmore, reported the Boston Herald.
However, he said, “it will be done after we get all the facts, we have all the information and we’ll be fair and smart about it.”
A reporter pointed out that the NFL has suspended players — including Ezekiel Elliott and Kareem Hunt — who were not formally charged with crimes, as Kraft was, the Herald reported. Goodell was also pressed for his thoughts on the owner’s arrest, the report said.
“As I just told you, when we get all the information we’ll make determinations,” Goodell said, according to the Herald. “I’m not going to speculate on where we are or my views on anything. Until we get all the information, we’re not going to make any comments about that.”
Goodell and Kraft head into meeting where league will vote on expanding replay review. pic.twitter.com/8lIidJL2vg
— Les Bowen (@LesBowen) March 26, 2019
The commissioner was asked whether Kraft, who is attending the owner’s meetings, has talked to his fellow owners about the arrest.
“We don’t talk about what people say on the floor and what they don’t,” Goodell said. “I don’t know what conversations he had individually, but the things that are said on the floor are things we continue to keep on the floor.”
Goodell added that he would be the one to determine any punishment, not the other owners, WEEI-FM in Massachusetts reported.
Last week, Kraft apologized for his behavior in a statement.
“In deference to the judicial process, I have remained silent these past several weeks,” Kraft said. “To correct some of the misinformation surrounding this matter, my attorney made his first public comments on Friday night. I would like to use this opportunity to say something that I have wanted to say for four weeks. I am truly sorry. I know I have hurt and disappointed my family, my close friends, my co-workers, our fans and many others who rightfully hold me to a higher standard.”
Statement from Patriots’ owner Robert Kraft: pic.twitter.com/GiswaNQxh4
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 23, 2019
Kraft pleaded not guilty to two counts of soliciting prostitutes, both misdemeanors, at the Orchids of Asia Day Spa in Jupiter, Florida, on Feb. 22.
His lawyers waived the arraignment and requested a jury trial.
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