Ray Rice knows he was wrong for knocking out his wife in that elevator. Most rational people understand that domestic violence on all levels is wrong. No one is trying to justify that behavior, but in a league where people like Brandon Marshall are prospering, Ray Rice has a legitimate reason to feel he is being over punished by the NFL.
He has filed an appeal in essence citing double jeopardy. The NFL knew that he hit his wife and knew that he knocked her out. It is likely someone in the NFL offices saw the tape of this happening before TMZ leaked it. So, it appears the NFL were quite hypocritical in giving Rice a permanent ban.
While his appeal is being heard, he won’t be allowed back into the league according to PFT.
In most cases, a player’s suspension doesn’t become final until he has exhausted his appeal rights. In the case of indefinitely suspended running back Ray Rice, that’s not the case.
The NFL contends that Rice remains suspended until his appeal is resolved, or until his suspension ends.
“After the suspension was announced, we said: Teams have been notified that any contract between a team and Ray Rice will not be approved or take effect until further direction is provided from the commissioner’s office,” the league advised PFT by email.
I wouldn’t have expected the NFL to reinstate Rice because they are dealing with a PR disaster right now and all the back and forth has left them wide open for criticisms.
The NFLPA is asking for Roger Goodell not to hear the appeal.
