The NFL is not playing around with their domestic violence policy and after the reveal of the surveillance tape from the infamous February casino fight in Atlantic City, Ray Rice can kiss his job goodbye.
The surveillance footage shows Ray Rice spitting, hitting and eventually punching his then fiancee Janay in the face until she hits an elevator rail and passes out. The footage continues to show him drag her out of the elevator like a heavy bag of laundry, with no regard to her life what so ever. It’s pretty hard to watch. Now in wake of that video, the Ravens have decided to release the running back.
Since the incident, the team hadn’t disciplined Rice publicly but if this is Roger Goodell’s first time seeing the footage, this falls right in line with his new policies.Â
UPDATE: According to Commissioner Goodell, Ray Rice can not only kiss the Ravens goodbye, he’s been suspended indefinitely from the NFL. Spokesman Greg Aiello announced via Twitter that Roger Goodell has suspended Rice following the new video evidence that became made available today via TMZ. What does that mean for Ray Rice? Well, for at least a year he won’t be able to play in the NFL. He will be eligible to appeal next season, but that doesn’t mean that he’ll be automatically given another shot. This lines up with Goodell’s ‘2nd strike’ domestic violence policy.
How have fellow NFL players reacted to the Ray Rice tape? Not well. Whatever support he had went clean out the window.Â
“This piece of sh– needs to be out of the league. Period,” tweeted former Saints and Browns linebacker Scott Fujita.Â
“This video makes me sick to my stomach,” Denver Broncos defensive tackle Terrance Knighton said in one of several tweets, including one in which he said Rice belongs in prison, not on an NFL football field.
“He could’ve killed that girl. They need to sports science the force of that punch. NFL players are STRONG… Like very strong,” tweeted former all-pro center LeCharles Bentley.
“To say you got that wrong is an understatement. Very disappointed in you. Wow…unbelievable,” wrote former linebacker London Fletcher.
“2 games. Disturbing,” added Green Bay Packers guard T.J. Lang.
