NFL Commissioner Open Letter, Aldon Smith Suspension, and more.

Photo Credit: www.twitter.com/nfl

This week in Football...

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell apologized on Thursday for his decision in the Ray Rice domestic abuse case. In a letter to NFL owners, Goodell announced the changes to the league's Personal Conduct Policy. 

The letter stated the violations of the Personal Conduct Policy in regards of assault, battery, domestic violence and sexual assault. A second offense, results into banishment from the NFL for a year. 

This applies to all personnel of the NFL, not just players. In the letter, Goodell addresses his failing in pior domestic violence situations. 

"At times, however, and despite our best efforts, we fall short of our goals. We clearly did so in response to a recent incident of domestic violence. We allowed our standards to fall below where they should be and lost an important opportunity to emphasize our strong stance on a critical issue and the effective programs we have in place. My disciplinary decision led the public to question our sincerity, our commitment, and whether we understood the toll that domestic violence inflicts on so many families. I take responsibility both for the decision and for ensuring that our actions in the future properly reflect our values. I didn't get it right. Simply put, we have to do better. And we will." 

In other news, The San Francisco 49ers plans without Aldon Smith will come in affect due to his suspension. 

After violating the league's policy on personal conduct and substances of abuse, Smith will be eligible to return for the Week 11 game against the New York Giants. 

General manager Trent Baalke stated, "Our organization has known this decision would come and we have prepared for it as a team.Aldon has taken responsibility for his actions and has continued to show growth personally and professionally. We will continue to support him, but it is time to put this matter behind us and focus on the season ahead." 

The suspension is for four games which includes breaking the rules for substance of abuse and five games for violating the personal conduct policy. 

However, Smith is still allowed to be around the 49ers facilities during his suspension in which the team wanted. 

As the No. 7 overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, Smith is the fastest player in league to record 30 sacks (27 games).

Kateri Fischer

@katikiii