NFL releases statement about allegations against Washington Football Team

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell released a statement about the sexual harassment allegations against the Washington Football Team.

On Wednesday, the Washington Football Team was hit with more turbulence during what has been a difficult offseason for the team. A new story by The Washington Post detailed even more sexual harassment allegations against the team’s front office that required a response from the organization.

Both the team and owner Daniel Snyder took time to release statements about the allegations from yesterday. The team’s statement was about the new regime’s focus on changing the culture and weeding out problem spots from the past.

Meanwhile, Snyder’s statement referred to The Post’s story as a “hit job” and insisted that he was unaware of what was happening in the front office.

Now, the NFL has weighed in on the allegations. In a statement by Roger Goodell (via Brian McCarthy), the league “strongly condemned” the behavior and workplace environment alleged in the story. But Goodell deferred any judgment until the independent investigation of the team, being led by attorney Beth Wilkinson, is completed.

This makes sense. While Wilkinson was hired by Washington to perform the investigation it does appear that she was the recommended council that the NFL preferred to have on the case. So, they’ll reserve judgment until that review is complete.

Until we know the full results of the investigation, it’s premature to prognosticate what any potential NFL discipline for the team could look like. There could be more developments moving forward — as we saw with the second Post story coming out — so this situation is very fluid.

Moving forward, this case will be worth monitoring. It will have an impact on Washington one way or another. And while the past is being examined, the new regime and front office will be looking to move forward and establish a new culture to make sure the events described by the accusers never happen again.