Reports: Ray Rice to speak to NFL, NFLPA probes at same time
By Phil Watson
Ray Rice isn’t playing on Sunday and has a lot of work to do to get back into the NFL. But he’s staying busy in participating in multiple probes into the handling of his case by his bosses.
According to multiple reports, suspended running back Ray Rice and his wife, Janay, will speak to NFL investigator Robert Mueller and Richard Smith, the investigator for the NFL Players Association, at the same time.
The Baltimore Sun reported that an effort to maximize convenience and ensure transparency were the main reasons behind approaching the dual probes in this manner.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter cited a desire to provide equal access to both investigations as the reason Ray Rice offered to do both at the same time:
Ray Rice will be meeting with and speaking to people in Robert Mueller investigation and NFLPA investigation at the same time, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 5, 2014
In an effort to be efficient and provide equal access to dual investigations, Ray Rice extended opportunity to do all interviews at once.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 5, 2014
According to the Sun, Rice and his wife will be interviewed separately. The dates for the interviews have yet to be set.
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Rice was eventually indefinitely suspended by the NFL and released by the Baltimore Ravens after a video of Rice punching his then-fiancee inside an Atlantic City, N.J., elevator was released by TMZ last month.
Rice had initially been suspended for two games by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, a decision that was widely criticized.
NFL owners are scheduled to meet in New York this week and the topic of off-field situations involving domestic violence and abuse are expected to be a major topic of discussion.
There are open cases involving Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, Carolina Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy, San Francisco 49ers defensive end Ray McDonald and Arizona Cardinals running back Jonathan Dwyer—all related to domestic or child abuse allegations.
Former federal judge Barbara Jones was appointed by Goodell to hear Rice’s appeal of his suspension, the first time the NFL has agreed to an outside arbitrator to hear an appeal.
Rice is expected to argue that he was disciplined twice for the same offense, which would violate the collective bargaining agreement as it relates to player discipline.
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