Former Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice could be back in the NFL before the end of the 2014 season. Rice was cut by the Ravens and suspended indefinitely after video of Rice punching his then-fiancee Janay Palmer in an Atlantic City elevator. He has appealed his indefinite suspension, and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is being forced to testify by former U.S. District Judge Barbara S. Jones, who was jointly chosen by the NFL and the Players Association.
When video first broke of the incident all that could be seen was Rice dragging Palmer, who was unconscious, out of the elevator. Rice met with the commissioner and Ravens executives and was suspended for two games. Following the release of the second video, however, Rice was cut by the team and suspended indefinitely while Goodell said Rice's story was "ambiguous" during their original meetings.
In a September interview with USA Today Goodell said "There was no ambiguity when you saw that tape (Monday. It was sickening. It was appalling. It was clear that it was not consistent with what they presented to us in the hearing and we needed to take the right step, which is to indefinitely suspend him."
Rice is arguing that he is being punished twice for one act, and that he was truthful when he initially met with Goodell. Further, Rice's legal team said that the video of the assault was available to the NFL at all times. The NFL has treated the video as new evidence.
Finally, they argue that as a first-time offender, Rice should've been suspended for six games at the most-the NFL is currently entering Week 8 of the season. CBS Sports' Jason La Confora has reported legal experts say Rice has an "exceedingly strong case," and a chance at re-instatement.
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