BALTIMORE, Sept. 8 (UPI) -- The Baltimore Ravens confirmed via Twitter that they has terminated the contract of three-time Pro Bowl running back Ray Rice and the NFL has suspended him indefinitely.
The move comes after video of Rice repeatedly punching his then-fiancee in an Atlantic City casino was obtained by TMZ. Rice served half of a two game suspension for the February incident.
The #Ravens have terminated RB Ray Rice's contract this afternoon.
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 8, 2014Roger Goodell has announced that based on new video evidence that became available today he has
indefinitely suspended Ray Rice.
— Greg Aiello (@gregaiello) September 8, 2014Contrary to reports from TMZ that casino employees showed full footage of the incident to NFL officials, the League said in a formal statement it had not seen the video until Monday.
"We requested from law enforcement any and all information about the incident, including the video from inside the elevator. That video was not made available to us and no one in our office has seen it until today."
Since TMZ leaked the full footage Monday, both current and former NFL players have publicly condemned Rice's actions and anyone who further enables the former feature back's career.
Am I the only one who believes it should be a lifetime ban for the first time a player commits domestic violence? They should be done period
— Brady Quinn (@3rd_Goal) September 8, 2014@nflcommish to say you got that wrong is an understatement. Very disappointed in you. Wow...unbelievable.
— London Fletcher (@LFletcher59) September 8, 2014Ray Rice, at a loss for words. If anybody believes that's the FIRST time he's hit a woman, I got an ocean in AZ I'd like to sell you #Coward
— LeCharles Bentley (@LeCharlesBent65) September 8, 2014I'm done.... Going to MNF game... Glad my ticket is free... Ain't paying for nothing nfl related until RAT RICE retires...
Advertisement— LeCharles Bentley (@LeCharlesBent65) September 8, 20142 games. Disturbing.
— TJ Lang (@TJLang70) September 8, 2014Goodell and the Ravens faced a wave of criticism for Rice's lenient punishment, frustrations that were not immediately forgotten in the aftermath of Rice's indefinite suspension.
Ravens Lauded For Brave Decision To Cut Ray Rice 4 Months Too Late http://t.co/SU7GtHrkDZ pic.twitter.com/42eihvcTKJ
— The Onion (@TheOnion) September 8, 2014Writing for the NFL's league-owned media outlet, Gregg Rosenthal reports, "since Rice's suspension, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced sweeping changes to the personal conduct policy concerning domestic violence cases."
"Violations regarding assault, battery, domestic violence or sexual assault that involve physical force 'will be subject to a suspension without pay of six games for a first offense.' A second offense will result in banishment from the NFL for at least one year."
Update: Rice has been cut by the Ravens and suspended from the NFL indefinitely.
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