Ray Rice is officially out of the Baltimore Ravens following the release of a video showing the athlete in an elevator delivering a punch to his then-fiancee, Janay Palmer. The video is part of an incident that happened back in February, which led to Rice being arrested for domestic violence.
According to Bleacher Report, the video shows Rice punching Palmer at the Reven Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City. The video was allegedly leaked by TMZ on Monday. The event shown in the video is supporting evidence to Rice's violation of the NFL's personal conduct policy on February 15.
This is the second video for the incident.
Vox says that Rice was arrested for domestic violence after he was seen in the first video dragging his seemingly unconscious then-fiancee. TMZ's video did not show what had happened before Palmer was seen unconscious, which led to Rice's supporters stipulating that he could have acted in self-defense. With its appearance, critics are allegedly questioning the light punishment given for Rice's violation.
Also according to Vox: "He was assigned to a pre-trial diversion program rather than being charged with a crime." CNN explains this to mean that the 27-year-old athlete will not be prosecuted. The felony charge of third-degree aggravated assault will also allegedly be expunged after a year.
Rice was given a two-game suspension after the February incident, continues Bleacher Report. Rice and Palmer got married on March 28.
Said "light" punishment will not be any issue now, as the Ravens have officially announced via Twitter that Rice's contract has been terminated.
According to Aaron Wilson of "The Baltimore Sun," the newly-released video of the incident seven months ago has not been "made available" to them despite their request. He said in a tweet: "No one in our office has seen it until today." Wilson also said in another Twitter post that they had requested "any and all information about the incident, including the video from inside the elevator." Coach John Harbaugh also said on Monday night that no one in the team has seen the video before its release.
After the incident, Dan Wetzel of Yahoo Sports thinks that no one will pick up Rice for the NFL, says Bleacher Report. Wetzel's tweet reads: "Txt'ing with team officials around NFL, they predict Ravens will cut Ray Rice. "Have to." Not sure anyone would pick him up." A couple of hours later, the Baltimore Ravens' official announcement has been made.
The former Ravens running back is also under indefinite suspension from the NFL, adds CNN.
Join the Conversation