NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, and the NFL as a whole, has taken a lot of flak for his light punishment of Baltimore Ravens Ray Rice after security camera footage showed Rice dragging his wife out from an elevator after he knocked her out cold. Rice was banned for just 2 games, which seemed to many fans and media pundits as not near enough punishment, especially considering the recent rash of players (Robert Mathis, Matt Prater, Josh Gordon) banned for 4 games or more for the non-violent offence of substance use.

Goodell apparently was not deaf to his critics and on Thursday, August 28, announced that a stronger sentencing policy would now be used to punish players and personnel involved in a sexual assault, battery, or domestic violence incident. In addition to enacting this new policy, Goodell also publically admitted his 2-game suspension of Rice was a mistake:

“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.”

According to the new rules, the first offense involving a violent encounter will result in a 6-game suspension. The second offense will result in a suspension of at least one year, and third offense an indefinite suspension.