Former Bears GM: NFL covered up 'hundreds' of domestic violence cases

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Former Chicago Bears General Manager Jerry Angelo said NFL hid "hundreds and hundreds" of domestic violence cases during his 30-year career.

Angelo's claims come as the NFL deals with domestic violence allegations against high-profile players like Adrian Peterson and Ray Rice.

The former Bears GM said he put winning above principle - and he made a mistake.

"I was human. I was part of it. I'm not proud of it," Angelo told USA Today.

While Angelo's reason for coming forward now is not clear, Daily Herald Sports Columnist Mike Imrem said at his core, Angelo is a decent man.

"He might have been caught up in the NFL culture, but at his core he's a decent man. Perhaps this was weighing on him over the years, that he never did anything about issues like this. Then the big Ray Rice thing exploded and he said, 'I have to come - I have to get this off my chest,'" Imrem said.

Angelo's former colleagues are not taking the accusations well Thursday night.

"We were surprised by Jerry's comments and do not know what he is referring to," the Bears said in a statement.

"It's gutless. It's gutless on his part. If you didn't do anything about it when you were running the team, shut up. Don't live in the past. Period," Former Bears Coach Mike Ditka said on ESPN Radio.

Angelo was general manager for the Chicago Bears from 2001-2011. He entered the NFL as a scout with Dallas in 1980, worked as a scout for the New York Giants from 1982 to 1986, and was Tampa Bay's director of player personnel for Tampa Bay from 1987 to 2001.

On Wednesday, Commissioner Roger Goodell met with the full body of NFL owners for the first time since several missteps by the league involving personal conduct incidents. The agenda was filled with discussion of domestic violence and discipline for misbehavior.

"Our business is to win games," Angelo said. "We've got to win games, and the commissioner's job is to make sure the credibility of the National Football League is held in the highest esteem. But to start with that, you have to know who's representing the shield. We got our priorities a little out of order."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.