Ray Rice is trying to repair his life. And making an unbelievably horrible public relations blunder in the process.
ProFootballTalk.NBCSports.com was the first to report Sunday that the former Baltimore Ravens running back is appealing his indefinite suspension today to the NFL.
Ray Rice's first public appearance getting on with his life or seeking sympathy?
The NFL Players Association and an outside lawyer retained the Rice will prepare the case on his behalf. In an ironic twist, embattled commissioner Roger Goodell has ultimate authority over the appeals process.
According to ProFootballTalk.NBCSports.com, the union could ask that Goodell designate a hearing officer not currently affiliated with the league office. Goodell handed the New Orleans Saints' 'Bountygate' case to former NFL commissioner Pete Tagliabue.
Atlantic City prosecutor gave Ray Rice preferential treatment with pretrial diversion program?
Goodell still will be a witness in the appeals process, which could bring another issue in the Rice case to a head. Goodell contended that Rice was unclear about what actually happened the night in February in which he was charged with domestic violence for striking then-fiancée Janay Palmer.
Rice is expected to contend that he told Goodell the truth. Four sources told ESPN's "Outside the Lines" that Rice told Goodell on June 16 that he punched his now-wife during the February incident in the elevator of an Atlantic City casino.
Goodell originally suspended Rice two games. Two weeks before the second video of the Rice incident -showing Rice hitting Palmer and knocking her unconscious in the elevate - came out, Goodell said he erred by giving Rice only a two-week suspension.
The NFL instituted a policy that dictates a six-week suspension for a first offense for a domestic violence charge and a possible lifetime ban for a second offense.
On the surface, Rice has a solid argument if he did tell the truth because the NFL already had all the facts - plus, the league also had a copy of the video and had the ability to watch it.
But the issue has become an issue that is larger than Rice. The issue of domestic violence against women now is at the forefront of the news cycle - not only in the U.S., but also on an international level with the culpable homicide verdict against Oscar Pistorius, who shot and killed his girlfriend a year earlier than the Rice incident.
In the court of public opinion, Rice cannot win. His appeal could suggest that he thinks a two-game suspension is appropriate for his actions, and a vocal portion of the general population already has expressed how it feels about that.
The only escape Rice may have is if he promises to donate a significant portion of his salary to help female victims of domestic violence.
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