Aug 16, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice (27) heads into the locker room in the second quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Former Rutgers star running back, Ray Rice, has been cut from the Baltimore Ravens and suspended indefinitely by the NFL. The word came down today, after TMZ Sports leaked the elevator video footage of the incident at the Revel casino on February 15th.
NFL commissioner, Roger Goodell, was highly criticized for his initial decision to only suspend Ray Rice for two games, considering this involved a domestic violence case, something the NFL should be more concerned about from their players. Today, with the release of the shocking, disturbing, and disgusting video of Rice’s inexcusable actions on that faithful night, Goodell finally stepped up and took the action he should have months ago and suspended Rice from the NFL indefinitely.
Personally, I find it very hard to believe the NFL, a league filled with some of the nations most powerful and wealthy individuals, did not see this video until today. It is a shame they felt they did not need to take appropriate action until the public saw the video, and was rightly outraged by it. Furthermore, I find it very curious that given what we witnessed on that video, that Rice received little more than a slap on the wrist from the Atlantic City prosecutors office. It will be interesting to follow the fall out and see what more comes to the light in terms of how this situation was handled by the NFL, the Ravens, and the Atlantic City prosecutors office.
Rice, as a player, is somebody I watched a lot of during his time in college. I witnessed Rice play first hand at Rutgers, and even met him on the field on one occasion. I had hoped the Giants would draft him coming out, but now boy am I glad they didn’t. In the end, while we are all human and make mistakes, a man should never be in a position where they take physical action against a woman. This is one instance where the NFL should not give Rice a second chance, they need to send a message to their players that they will not condone this behavior, now, or in the future.
More outrage from fans, media, and former/current NFL players on Twitter to the Ray Rice video:
you’re a sucker if you pat the ravens on the back for firing rice after standing so strong behind him earlier. let’s be clear on that.
— bomani (@bomani_jones) September 8, 2014
you’re a sucker if you pat the ravens on the back for firing rice after standing so strong behind him earlier. let’s be clear on that.
— bomani (@bomani_jones) September 8, 2014
The elevator knockout punch from Ray Rice is beyond disturbing and stomach turning.http://t.co/Ok0jmK6wUW
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 8, 2014
Horrible @janesports: Re Ray Rice knockout punch:was told NFL had access to same evidence the police did when evaluating a 2-game suspension
— AnitaMarks (@AnitaMarks) September 8, 2014
Ravens made the right choice in cutting Ray Rice. NFL now needs to make the right choice in firing Roger Goodell.
— Not Bill Walton (@NotBillWalton) September 8, 2014
Ray Rice situation is just so sad. For everyone. Especially his wife.
— Ross Tucker (@RossTuckerNFL) September 8, 2014
Ray Rice video disturbing but showed nothing I didn't expect to see. Shouldn't have taken video going public for today's measures to happen.
— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) September 8, 2014