NFLPA Releases Statement On Ray Rice Hearing

The NFLPA has commented on the recently concluded Ray Rice hearing.

A hearing centered on Ray Rice appealing the NFL’s suspension of him ended on Thursday. The NFLPA released a statement on the matter shortly after its conclusion.

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It reads:

"The NFLPA thanks Judge Barbara Jones for presiding over a fair and thorough hearing. This is the first time in the history of our League that a disciplinary hearing has been conducted pursuant to a joint agreement on a neutral arbitrator. We commend NFL owners and officials for the wisdom of this decision which enhances the credibility and integrity of our business.The collectively bargained rights of all players must be vehemently preserved and we take that obligation seriously. This appeal, presided over by a neutral arbitrator, which included a presentation of all the relevant facts, witness testimony to the truth and cross examination, is the due process that every athlete deserves."

The hearing lasted two days and featured Rice, his wife and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell testifying.

The NFL initially suspended Rice two games in July for punching his now-wife in the elevator of a Las Vegas casino in February. Once video of the incident became public in September, the NFL suspended Rice indefinitely. Rice is challenging that the NFL overstepped its authority.

Rice is currently without a team as the Baltimore Ravens released him once the video became public.

Rice spent the first six years of his career with Baltimore.

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