Baltimore Ravens release Ray Rice; suspended indefinitely by NFL
By Josh Sanchez
The Baltimore Ravens had been silent since video evidence of Ray Rice striking his then fiancee and knocking her unconscious surfaced in the wee hours of the morning. That has all changed, however, with the team announcing on Monday afternoon that they have terminated the contract of the running back.
The team made the announcement on Twitter.
The #Ravens have terminated RB Ray Rice's contract this afternoon.
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 8, 2014
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell also announced that in light of the new evidence Rice is being suspended indefinitely from the league.
Roger Goodell has announced that based on new video evidence that became available today he has
— Greg Aiello (@gregaiello) September 8, 2014
indefinitely suspended Ray Rice.
The Ravens will now carry dead money into next season, but actually will save money in 2014.
Ravens save $3.529 million this year with Ray Rice's salary off the books, dead money impact for next year is $9.5 million
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) September 8, 2014
Just hours before his release, there was a report that Rice was losing support in the locker room following the release of the video.
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This was the move that the team had to make, but they do not deserve overwhelming applause.
After months and months of supporting Rice and standing behind them, they changed their tune as soon as the video became public.
Quite frankly, the team should have parted ways with Rice as soon as he admitted to the altercation and video was released of Rice dragging Janay Palmer out of an elevator.
Despite their decision to release Rice, the team will continue to face plenty of questions that people will want answers to.
The Ravens PR nightmare isn't over with this move though. They need to also explain their support, craft of redemption narrative.
— Andrea Hangst 🖕 (@FBALL_Andrea) September 8, 2014
Steve Bisciotti just did Roger Goodell a huge favor. Ravens did what the NFL wouldn't do.
— Michael David Smith (@MichaelDavSmith) September 8, 2014
It could be a long time before we see Ray Rice back in the league. Of course, there is a chance that Rice just watched his career come to an end.
Ravens had no choice but to terminate Ray Rice's contract. Will be a long time, if ever, before another team signs him.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 8, 2014
Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh will address the media at 8 p.m. ET tonight, along with other members of the organization.
Before we got to the press conference, a report surfaced that the Ravens were not given the full evidence of Ray Rice’s assault prior to today.
I've been told that the Ravens were told a "softer" version of the events that were shown on the videotape.
— Judy Battista (@judybattista) September 8, 2014
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