NFL notes: After Ray Rice, NFL increases domestic violence bans

Acknowledging he “didn’t get it right” with a two-game suspension for Ravens running back Ray Rice, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announced tougher penalties for players accused of domestic violence, including six weeks for a first offense and at least a year for a second.

In a letter and memo sent to all 32 team owners Thursday, and obtained by the Associated Press, Goodell never mentions Rice by name but makes clear references to the Baltimore player who allegedly hit the woman who is now his wife.

Goodell told teams to distribute his memo to all players on their rosters and to post it in locker rooms. It reads in part: “Domestic violence and sexual assault are wrong. They are illegal. They are never acceptable and have no place in the NFL under any circumstances.”

The memo says that violations of the league’s personal conduct policy “regarding assault, battery, domestic violence and sexual assault that involve physical force will be subject to enhanced discipline.”

The NFL Players Association said it had been informed of the increased punishments.

“As we do in all disciplinary matters, if we believe that players’ due process rights are infringed upon during the course of discipline, we will assert and defend our members’ rights,” the union statement said.

The personal conduct policy is not subject to collective bargaining with the players’ union, and the commissioner has leeway to impose punishments.

An initial domestic violence offense will draw a six-week ban without pay, although the memo says “more severe discipline will be imposed if there are aggravating circumstances such as the presence or use of a weapon, choking, repeated striking, or when the act is committed against a pregnant woman or in the presence of a child.”

A second offense will result in banishment from the league, but a player will be allowed to petition for reinstatement after a year.

“There is no assurance that the petition will be granted,” the memo says.

Manning fined

Peyton Manning has been docked a reported $8,268 for taunting Houston Texans safety D.J. Swearinger in a preseason game last week.

The Denver Broncos quarterback laid into the safety for hitting Wes Welker in the head, which left the slot receiver with his third concussion in 10 months.

The penalty was reported by ESPN. Manning told ESPN’s Chris Mortensen: “I accept it. Money well spent.”

Swearinger’s hit on Welker drew a 15-yard personal foul – but so far no word of a fine.

Manning was irked by the hit on Welker and after throwing a 29-yard TD pass to Emmanuel Sanders on the next snap, he ran up to Swearinger and let him know it.

That resulted in the first personal foul of Manning’s NFL career along with kudos from his teammates.