Yet after a shooting incident in New York City that left a young mother and her child dead, Commissioner Goodell said the following. He sounded profound grief, lament, and compassion for all those impacted during that press briefing. One such incident just recently played out in the office-and-lobby area on the 33rd floor. It left one club employee seriously injured and had deeper tragic ramifications that cost another person their life. As of midday Tuesday, authorities had released the name of the gunman — Shane Tamura. He’s a 27-year-old from Las Vegas who used to play competitive football in high school in California and did not make it to the NFL.
Instead, Goodell remained in New York to attend the funeral of NYPD officer Didarul Islam. He labelled the scene “devastating.” He stated, “It’s just heartbreaking for all of us. It’s devastating.” The Commissioner emphasized the senselessness of such acts, noting, “It is a difficult thing, particularly when you are dealing with senseless acts like this.”
This new information from the investigation showed Tamura was in fact trying to drive to NFL offices after the shooting. He had previously shot and injured a league employee before turning the gun on himself. This incident has prompted increased security measures around Tom Benson Stadium in Canton, Ohio, where the Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony was set to take place. Featured players such as Eric Allen, Jared Allen, Antonio Gates, and Sterling Sharpe will be featured during the ceremony.
Goodell answered the emotional cost to his employees with determination and purpose. In response, he announced that they would continue working remotely at least until the end of next week. He addressed the understandable climate of fear about workplace safety as he looked back on the day’s terrible events. “That’s real life, and it’s unfortunate that we live in a space right now that’s a possibility,” he said. “If you’re a parent, that’s the first thing you think about: workplace safety for your child or for your loved ones.”
The subsequent fallout has sent shockwaves throughout the NFL world. Goodell remarked, “An amazing young man, and so we’re optimistic about his recovery and I think that’s good news for all of us in the NFL and obviously our hearts continue to be in support with the family.” He further stated, “It hits home, the loss, the unnecessary and unexplainable loss,” highlighting the pride New Yorkers feel for their police force and first responders.
With the nation’s conversations about workplace violence and safety finally starting to make headlines, Goodell said it’s imperative to stay alert. “As you know, these acts of senseless violence and hatred are happening around our country and our world far too often… This should just not be happening,” he said. At that time, the Commissioner made a promise on behalf of the NFL to do more to ramp up protections for their employees.
The shooting has sparked conversations about broader societal issues related to violence and safety. This news comes as a painful reminder of the challenges that communities continue to grapple with in preventing and responding to these senseless acts.
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