NFL commissioner Roger Goodell: 'It's been a tough year'

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell acknowledged that the league has had a tough year at a news conference Friday, The Boston Globe reports. "It's been a year of humility and learning," he said.

This season has seen domestic abuse controversies involving Ray Rice hitting his now-wife, Janae Rice, and Adrian Peterson hitting his child. There's been considerable talk about the Washington Redskins' name, which many consider a racial slur. Medical concerns over players withstanding multiple concussions and, later in life, brain trauma, have grown. And most recently, the New England Patriots are under investigation for cheating for allegedly deflating footballs to gain an advantage to get into the Super Bowl.

On Deflategate, Goodell has no answers yet, though he did indicate the balls were tested at halftime of the AFC Championship matchup versus the Indianapolis Colts. "We will not compromise the investigation by engaging in speculation."

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The commissioner also announced he's installing a chief medical officer in the league.