After TMZ released the video of Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice hitting his fiancee in an elevator, many wondered how they could’ve gotten their hands on the tape and the NFL couldn’t. In fact, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell was asked that question at his press conference by a TMZ reporter.
That led ESPN’s Bill Simmons to call him a liar on his podcast, then eventually get suspended by the network.
There were also reports in the fallout of the Rice video release that claimed those in the NFL league offices had seen the video and were aware of its contents. That included a report that a woman in the NFL offices says in a voicemail that the video is terrible.
The NFL has denied those claims and it hasn’t been linked till any specific individual.
Until now, when the Associated Press reported on Thursday night that a law enforcement official said the video was sent to NFL security chief Jeffrey Miller.
BREAKING: Law enforcement official says he sent video to attention of NFL security chief Jeffrey Miller
— AP NFL (@AP_NFL) September 26, 2014
From the Associated Press:
"“Since the NFLPA and NFL have launched separate investigations into the league and the Ravens’ handling of Ray Rice’s case, I want to make a few things clear. No one from the NFL ever asked me for the inside-elevator video,” the official said Thursday. “I mailed it anonymously to Jeff Miller because he’s their head of security. I attached a note saying: ‘Ray Rice elevator video. You have to see it. It’s terrible.’ I provided a number for a disposable cellphone and asked for confirmation that it was received. I knew there was a possibility Mr. Miller may not get the video, but I hoped it would land in the right hands.”"
Miller is already denying it.
"Miller, in London preparing for the Raiders-Dolphins game Sunday, issued a statement to the AP Thursday night through an NFL spokesman.“I unequivocally deny that I received at any time a copy of the video, and I had not watched it until it was made public on September 8,” he said."
And just like that the NFL is back into the spotlight, and up to their necks in another controversy.
Makes you wonder if Bill Simmons will be unsuspended from ESPN for calling Goodell a liar.
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