FBI director reveals NFL did not see Rice elevator tape

Former FBI director Robert Mueller said his investigation found no evidence that the NFL saw the elevator video of Ray Rice striking his then-fiancee before the tape was released in September.

Mueller's report did, however, say the league should have conducted a more thorough investigation of the incident before issuing the initial two-game suspension to Rice, who was then suspended indefinitely after the video inside the elevator showed the former Baltimore Ravens running back punching Janay Palmer and knocking her unconscious.

Rice, who was released by the Ravens after the additional video came to light and just before the league announced its extended suspension, won an appeal of the extensive penalty but did not play during the 2014 season.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell was widely criticized for his handling of the case, which stemmed from Rice's assault of Palmer -- now his wife -- in the elevator of an Atlantic City casino in February.

Goodell said the league never saw the video of the actual punch until it was released by TMZ.com in September, but a report from the Associated Press said a law enforcement official said he sent a copy of the video to an NFL executive in April, two months after the incident and five months before the initial suspension was issued.

The Rice case led the NFL to institute a stronger domestic violence policy.

[SportsNetwork.com]