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Goodell, speaking at the conclusion of the National Football
League owners' meetings in New York, was asked if it would be
best for the NFL if he did not have total autonomy in doling out
punishments.
"Everything is on the table," said Goodell. "We've been debating
internally for well over a year whether there's a better
process.
"At the same time, when something affects the integrity of the
game, I think it's important for the commissioner to retain that
authority."
Goodell has previously said the NFL would want to have a new
personal conduct policy in place by the Feb. 1 Super Bowl.
Rice was originally banned two games for punching his
then-fiancee at a New Jersey casino in February. But when a
video surfaced last month showing the knockout punch, the
Baltimore Ravens released the three-time Pro Bowl running back
and Goodell suspended him indefinitely.
Goodell's handling of the Rice case, one of several recent
incidents involving the conduct of high-profile players, raised
questions about the effectiveness of the NFL's response to
various issues and led to a full-scale independent investigation
led by former FBI director Robert Mueller.
"We talked specifically about the investigation process," said
Goodell. "And questions continued to be debated on whether we
should rely completely on law enforcement or have independent
investigations, and the time period at which those
investigations would occur."
(Reporting by Frank Pingue in Toronto; Editing by Ian Ransom)
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