AP reporter says he heard voicemail from NFL confirming it got Ray Rice video
By Phil Watson
Associated Press reporter Rob Maadidi told ESPN’s SportsCenter Sunday that he heard the voicemail from an NFL employee confirming the Ray Rice video had been received at the league’s headquarters, contradicting the NFL’s statement Friday that no such call was ever placed.
"“With our standards of anonymous sources, that was the only reason we went forward with this story,” Maaddi said of hearing the voicemail. “We don’t do ‘he said, she said.’ We had to have proof, whether it’s audio, visual, email.“And when I that voicemail and saw that the number was from the NFL main office number, that’s why we were able to go forward with it and confirm it. I heard the voicemail. I looked at the caller ID number and I know that number is the NFL—I called that number to confirm.”"
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Maaddi reported Thursday that the NFL had received the controversial video in April of Rice striking his then-fiancee in the face and knocking her unconscious.
The NFL denied that report on Friday, saying that no evidence was received from law enforcement.
Maaddi said he’s confident that the NFL’s special investigator, former FBI director Robert Mueller, can solve the mystery.
"“That is why they hired former FBI director Robert Mueller to conduct this investigation and to figure out what happened. I believe Robert Mueller and his team will get to the bottom of it.”"
Maaddi also made sure to clarify that what he knows is that someone at the NFL offices confirmed receiving the video. He is not asserting that he knows who, if anyone, actually watched it prior to its release by TMZ on Sept. 8.
"“Let’s be clear here. We have never, ever accused the NFL, Roger Goodell or (league security chief) Jeffrey Miller of viewing the video or any wrongdoing. All we have stated is that the video was in the building and a woman called to confirm she received it. Who that woman is, that’s the key to solving this puzzle.”"
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