NFL won't sanction Lynch over hit-and-run
PITTSFORD, New York (AFP) — The National Football League won't hand out any punishment to Buffalo Bills running back Marshawn Lynch over a hit-and-run car incident in May.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, who visited the Bills' training camp, said that Lynch won't be disciplined because he was not in violation of the NFL's personal conduct policy.
"I spoke to Marshawn this morning," Goodell said Monday. "I met with Marshawn, and he understands his responsibilities as an NFL player. I think the facts are clear on the case at this point in time, and I don't plan on any discipline."
Before pleading guilty to a traffic violation last month, Lynch admitted that he was driving when his sports utility vehicle struck an Ontario women on May 31 and left the scene of the accident.
On June 20, Erie County District Attorney Frank Clark reached an agreement with attorneys for Lynch in which the player would plead guilty in the hit-and-run case.
The deal allowed Lynch to avoid a criminal charge.
"Because it was reduced to a traffic violation, and I think when you look at the facts and understand exactly what happened after some of the initial reports, I think that it's not a violation of our personal conduct policy," Goodell said.
"On the other hand, Marshawn understands that these things are important to the league and that he will avoid those types of situations in the future."
Initially, Lynch said someone else was driving the car that struck the woman, who suffered minor injuries.
His silence provoked harsh criticism in Buffalo, where he starred as a rookie last season.
"He understands the responsibility," Goodell said. "He understands what it means to be an NFL player and how he has to represent himself, his teammates, and the Buffalo Bills, and he knows how important that is."
