Anti-Goodell banners debut at Cardinals-Giants game at MetLife

By foxsports
Published

Aerial banners protesting NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and his handling of the Ray Rice domestic violence controversy debuted Sunday at the Arizona Cardinals-New York Giants game at MetLife Stadium.

UltraViolet, the group behind the banners, announced Saturday that they planned to fly them over multiple stadiums this weekend. The banners -- which read, "@UltraViolet: #GoodellMustGo" -- were also set to be flown in Cleveland and San Francisco, and will appear prior to the Monday night contest in Indianapolis.

According to their website, UltraViolet is a group "mobilized to fight sexism and expand women's rights, from politics and government to media and pop culture."

UltraViolet works on a range of issues, including health care, economic security, violence, and reproductive rights.

Sexism is ubiquitous. At UltraViolet, we combine innovative, cutting-edge organizing with grassroots, people-powered actions to fight for equality and progress.

Equality at a higher frequency--that's what we're all about.

UltraViolet initially had expressed support for the NFL in late August after the league announced its stricter policy against domestic violence:

We are glad the NFL heard the concerns of football fans around the country -- under the new provisions, the first incident of domestic violence would get a six-game suspension, and the second instance would result in a lifetime ban. This is an incredible step forward, and one we hope will help end a culture that tolerates and helps perpetuate violence against women.

However, much has changed since video surfaced Monday on TMZ.com that showed former Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice hitting and knocking out his wife in an elevator in Atlantic City in February.

The NFL has repeatedly said it asked for but could not obtain that video, but a law enforcement official told The Associated Press he sent it to an NFL executive five months ago.

A plane tows a banner reading 'Goodell Must Go' before the game between the Arizona Cardinals and New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on Sunday.