{Breaking News} Baltimore Ravens Ray Rice, Cut by team then suspended indefinitely by NFL: The Baltimore Ravens terminated running back Ray Rices contract on Monday, hours after TMZ Sports released a video showing him punching his then-fiancée in the face in an Atlantic City hotel elevator in February. SVP & Russillo Scott Van Pelt and Ryen Russillo react to the Ravens termination of Ray Rices contract and more. More Podcasts » Minutes later, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announced that, based on the latest video evidence now available, Rice is suspended indefinitely from playing in the league. His two-game suspension for assaulting Janay Palmer was scheduled to end Friday. The Ravens, meanwhile, had no other comment in its statement announcing Rices release. Goodells initial suspension for Rice was so severely criticized as too lenient led Goodell to revamp the leagues personal conduct policies covering domestic violence and assault. The NFL said earlier in the day it never saw the video until Monday. The grainy video apparently shows Rice and Palmer in an elevator at the Revel Casino on Feb. 15. Each hits the other before Rice knocks Palmer off her feet and into a railing. Earlier video of Rice dragging Palmer from the elevator has been shown repeatedly, but the video shown Monday showed Rice striking Palmer twice, the second time apparently rendering her unconscious. League spokesman Brian McCarthy said earlier in the day, regarding the video: We requested from law enforcement any and all information about the incident, including the video from inside the elevator. That video was not made available to us and no one in our office has seen it until today. A Revel spokesperson told ABC News that the hotel gave a copy of the video posted by TMZ Sports to the police. The hotel, which closed Sept. 2, says it did not give it to TMZ. Rice had three years remaining on his contract at $4 million this season, $3 million next season and $3 million in 2016. The Ravens will not owe Rice any money. In the NFLs revamped policy against domestic violence, first-time offenders will be suspended for six games while players will receive a lifetime ban for a second offense. I made the biggest mistake of my life, Rice said in a news conference when the Ravens returned to camp in late July. I want to own it. After drawing heavy criticism, Goodell wrote a letter to NFL owners, saying, I didnt get it right. He also wrote: My disciplinary decision led the public to question our sincerity, our commitment, and whether we understood the toll that domestic violence inflicts on so many families. I take responsibility both for the decision and for ensuring that our actions in the future reflect our values. TMZs release of the video Monday spawned reaction that went beyond the sports world, but some of the strongest criticism came from Rices peers. One of them, defensive tackle Terrance Knighton of the Broncos, tweeted, As players we must speak up. Stand up for whats right. I dont give a damn who u are or how much money you make. No place for this.
Posted on: Mon, 08 Sep 2014 19:10:03 +0000
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