Roger Goodell: Video was ‘starkly different’ than Ray Rice’s account
Ray Rice was suspended indefinitely following the clear evidence that he abused his fiancé when he punched her in the face. It took the NFL too long, but they were finally doing the right thing. But then, questions immediately arose, namely: Can they adjust a suspension that has already been made?
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The NFL administered a lenient two-game suspension on Ray Rice initially, but if they had all the information, then they can’t change Ray Rice’s punishment. So when NFL commissioner Roger Goodell submitted his official letter to the NFLPA suspending Ray Rice indefinitely, he has some explaining to do. Everyone knew it should the suspension should be adjusted, but Goddell has to justify why he was allowed to adjust it.
“This video shows a starkly different sequence of events from what you and your representatives stated when we met on June 16,” Goodell wrote, via ESPN.com, “and is important new information that warrants reconsideration of the discipline imposed on you in July.
“Based on this new information, I have concluded that the discipline imposed upon you in July was insufficient under all the circumstances and have determined instead to impose an indefinite suspension.”
Goodell’s letter is incongruous with Ray Rice’s account. A source said that Rice was honest about his account of the domestic abuse.
“Ray didn’t lie to the commissioner,” a source with knowledge of the meeting told “Outside the Lines.” “He told the full truth to Goodell — he made it clear he had hit her, and he told Goodell he was sorry and that it wouldn’t happen again.”
Another source with knowledge of Rice’s discussion with the commissioner said: “There was no ambiguity about what happened [in the elevator].”
If this is true, then the NFLPA has the option to appeal within the next three days. NFLPA spokesman George Attalah said to ESPN on Friday that the union is “considering all options” now that it has the letter.