Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice has been cut from the team and suspended from the NFL following the release of new footage which shows him knocking out his then-fiancee in an elevator in Atlantic City last February. The announcement came via Twitter on Monday, Sept. 8, about a month-and-a-half after Rice was suspended for two games because of the incident.
"The #Ravens have terminated RB Ray Rice's contract this afternoon," a tweet on the team's official page read. Not long after, NFL spokesman Greg Aiello tweeted, "Roger Goodell has announced that based on new video evidence that became available today he has indefinitely suspended Ray Rice."
The evidence in question was posted by TMZ on Monday morning. It showed Rice appearing to hit his now-wife Janay Rice (nee Palmer) in an elevator, and then dragging her body through the open doors.
Earlier this year, Rice was charged with third-degree aggravated assault in connection with the Feb. 15 incident. At the time, he and Palmer presented a united front for the press and said they were undergoing counseling — part of Rice's sentencing — to help with their problems.
"I am working every day to be a better father, a better husband, and just a better role model," Rice said in a press conference in May. "I'm still the same guy, you know. As me and Janay wish we could take back 30 seconds of our life, we definitely sit here today and tell you that we are better parents, we are better lovers, and we're also better friends after this situation."
Two months later, in July, the NFL announced that Rice would be suspended for two games under the personal conduct policy. Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome said in a statement at the time that the ruling was "fair," but many others felt that the athlete had gotten off too easily.
In response, NFL Commissioner Goodell released a letter to NFL owners addressing the controversy. "I didn't get it right," he admitted of Rice's punishment. "Simply put, we have to do better. And we will."
