Campbell Soup Co. Issues Statement on NFL’s Handling of Ray Rice Situation
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Photo by David McNew/Getty Images(NEW YORK) — One day after National Football League sponsor PepsiCo released a statement condemning domestic violence in the wake of the Ray Rice situation, a second league sponsor issued strong words regarding the NFL’s handling of the incident.
“Domestic violence is abhorrent,” the statement categorically reads. “We are watching developments closely and look forward to the findings of the independent investigation underway. Upon completion of the investigation, we expect the NFL to take appropriate action.” The statement went on to say that the company has shared its views with the league.
Rice was initially suspended for two games for striking his then-fiancée in the elevator at an Atlantic City hotel. Earlier this week, after TMZ posted video from inside the elevator that showed Rice knocking Janay Palmer-Rice unconscious, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell opted to make Rice’s suspension indefinite.
Multiple sources told ESPN’s Outside the Lines that Rice made it clear to Goodell that he had punched his then-fiancee, though Goodell has said that the details of the situation were “ambiguous.” The National Organization for Women, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Connecticut, and others have called for Goodell’s resignation based on the initial lenient punishment and the ensuing controversy.
The NFL said earlier this week that former FBI Director Robert Mueller would lead an independent probe into the entire matter, including the NFL’s handling of the investigation. That probe will be overseen by NFL owners John Mara of the New York Giants and Art Rooney of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
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