Video of Ray Rice punching, knocking out fiancee released by TMZ
If Roger Goodell thought the backlash behind the two-game suspension of Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice for domestic violence was bad, the second effort from Goodell detestors could be two times worse as TMZ has revealed the full video of the February incident which led to these events.
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In the original video shown revealed, Rice was only seen dragging an unconscious female later to be named his fiancee from the elevator.
This time, TMZ shows the entire video: what looked to be an argument as the two stepping into view of the camera immediately turned into a physical altercation which ended with a two swift blow once the elevator doors closed, leaving Janay Palmer unconscious for nearly two minutes before re-awakening in the hotel.
Rice struck Palmer first, before hitting her again and knocking her off of her feet and headfirst into the railing.
Here is the shocking video in full.
Seeing the video of Rice dragging his unconscious wife was already an uncomfortable viewing, but seeing the actions which led up to the footage — domestic violence — which triggered a massive backlash is downright disgusting.
In the description on the incident, Rice’s physical actions were described as ‘striking her with his hand, rendering her unconscious at the Revel Casino’, but after viewing the video in full, the description is void of Rice slamming his fiancée into the elevator
With the police having custody of this tape, the NFL somehow viewed what is seen above and somehow deemed two games as a viable suspension for a man domestically abusing his wife, an atrocious mistake by both Roger Goodell, the leagues commissioner, and anyone else who had input on the matter.
Since the suspension — and backlash — the NFL has created steps to better handle situations such as this.
With newly implemented rules, all first instances of domestic violence will draw a six-game suspension. Any incident following the first instance will result in a full-time ban from the league.
An excellent public relations move to save face for a huge gaffe, the NFL will continue to find themselves under fire for mishandling what should have been an easy decision in regards to Ray Rice’s upcoming season, unprecedented or not.