The NFL Players Association received official confirmation from the NFL on Friday that former Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice is suspended indefinitely.
The letter, signed by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and obtained by ESPN, explains that the league concluded Rice’s original two-game suspension for assaulting his then-fiance and now-wife, Janay Palmer, should be indefinite because video released by TMZ Sports on Monday showed Rice in the act of striking her in an Atlantic City hotel casino elevator.
“This video shows a starkly different sequence of events from what you and your representatives stated when we met on June 16,” Goodell wrote, “and is important new information that warrants reconsideration of the discipline imposed on you in July.
“Based on this new information, I have concluded that the discipline imposed upon you in July was insufficient under all the circumstances and have determined instead to impose an indefinite suspension.”
ESPN’s “Outside The Lines” reported Thursday, according to sources, that in a June meeting Rice told Goodell that he punched Janay in the elevator. On Tuesday, Goodell told CBS News that the video was “inconsistent” with what Rice had told him.
“Ray didn’t lie to the commissioner,” a source with knowledge of the meeting told “Outside the Lines.” “He told the full truth to Goodell — he made it clear he had hit her, and he told Goodell he was sorry and that it wouldn’t happen again.” Another source with knowledge of Rice’s discussion with the commissioner said: “There was no ambiguity about what happened (in the elevator).”
NFLPA spokesman George Attalah told ESPN on Friday that the union is “considering all options” now that it has the letter. The union has three days to inform the league whether it intends to appeal.
On Aug. 28, Goodell announced a dramatic new domestic violence policy for the league, admitting “I didn’t get it right” with Rice. Goodell sent a letter to owners that dictated a six-game suspension for a first offense and a lifetime ban for the second, with the stipulation that a player can apply for reinstatement after a year.
After TMZ released the second video tape inside the elevator, the outcry became even more vocal. The Ravens cut Rice hours after the tape was posted, and the NFL followed by suspending him indefinitely.
On Wednesday night, the NFL retained former FBI director Robert S. Mueller III to lead an independent investigation into the league’s handling of the Rice case.
The investigation will be overseen by Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney and New York Giants owner John Mara.
Goodell pledges full cooperation with Mueller, including access to all NFL records. The final report will be made public.
The handoff to Mueller comes on the heels of an Associated Press report Wednesday that claims the NFL did indeed receive a copy of the video showing Rice knocking out his fiancee in the elevator.
Goodell had been steadfast in his assertion that league investigators had seen only the first video showing Rice drag an unconscious Palmer out of the elevator.
Rice was arrested Feb. 15 for aggravated assault and, four days later, TMZ posted the first video.
Rice was indicted by an Atlantic City Grand Jury for third-degree aggravated assault March 27, but he was allowed into a pre-trial diversionary program for first-time offenders.
There has been a backlash against Goodell, including the National Organization for Women calling for him to resign.
Sixteen female senators sent a letter to Goodell requesting that the NFL adopt a zero-tolerance policy against domestic violence.
Twelve members of the House Judiciary Committee want to hear more from Goodell about the NFL’s attempts to view the second tape.