Baltimore Ravens' Ray Rice Put On Indefinite Suspension For Assaulting Wife
On Monday TMZ leaked a harrowing video (above, but be warned it shows graphic violence) showing Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice knocking out his then-fiance (now wife) Janay Palmer in an elevator at the Revel Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City. Rightfully there has been uproar about the incident since the video's release, which resulted in the Ravens posting the following yesterday:
This was followed up by the NFL giving him an indefinite suspension from playing for any National Football League team, with NFL spokesman Greg Aiello tweeting:
Roger Goodell has announced that based on new video evidence that became available today he has indefinitely suspended Ray Rice.
People have criticised the NFL's response to the incident, which was initially only a two-game suspension issued back on 24 July. The NFL said it hadn't actually seen the tape at this point (claiming they'd seen it for the first time on 8 September when it was released by TMZ). NFL commissioner Roger Goodell later apologized for their initial timid response, issuing a statement to the NFL owners on on 28 August:
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 properly reflect our values. I didn't get it right. Simply put, we have to do better. And we will.
Once TMZ leaked the video players were quick to condemn what Rice had done.
The NFL should have zero tolerance for domestic violence. There is never a reason for any man to be violent towards any woman.
No I don't care how you slice it, it's wrong. They gotta open the case back up and come down hard on this one
While many were outraged by the video, others were skeptical about why the Ravens and the NFL were only now reacting properly to the incident after a public outcry. Former NFL punter Chris Kluwe was one of the people voicing his skepticism. And so was National Post reporter Eric Koreen.
Let's be clear. The Ravens releasing Ray Rice is because people are upset that the behavior was made this public. They had no issue before.
The Baltimore Ravens released Ray Rice once they were no longer able to spin his story. This isn't a team finding its moral compass.
Sports columnist Dave Hyde wasn't convinced either.
Ray Rice didn't get released because of what he did. He got released b/c video went public. Ravens backed him loudly 'til that point
Hyde also pointed out that football has a larger problem with covering up acts of domestic violence, which it hasn't really addressed.
Ray Rice? He's symptom of bigger issue, As are 10 Dolphins or retired Dolphins arrested for same in past 5 yrs.Column
It was a thought that was echoed by others.
It's easy to cut Ray Rice. It's much harder to cut the attitudes and culture that allowed him to believe he could act as he did.
The questions now is, how will the Ravens and NFL move forward after the suspension? Some people think further discipline is needed, some want Goodell's head on a stick, others want to see the case reopened.
Pretty easy fix, NFL should say they are reopening the Ray Rice case. Quiets the storm and gives them chance to right the wrong.
The Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office is unrelenting in its decision not to put Rice in jail though. "Mr. Rice received the same treatment by the criminal justice system in Atlantic County that any first-time offender has, in similar circumstances. The decision was correct." Jay McKeen from the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office told NJ.com.
Meanwhile, over on Fox & Friends they sunk to new depths as hosts Brian Kilmeade and Steve Doocy made tasteless, and unnecessary, jokes about the incident.
via Bleacher Report, TMZ, NJ.com