The outrage over the full video of Baltimore Ravens player Ray Rice punching his then fiancee in the head has spread to Washington, DC. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) called for NFL to impose a stiffer penalty on the woman beater.
In a statement, Blumenthal said, “The video released today emphasizes how egregiously weak and wrong the initial penalty against Ray Rice was – as the Commissioner has acknowledged – and it constitutes new, powerful evidence that requires the Commissioner to reconsider and reach a stronger punishment. The NFL took a positive step forward with its new policy on domestic violence, but in the wake of this new video, allowing Ray Rice to take the field after only a two-game suspension would be a disappointing step backwards.”
Warning: the video is graphic. It shows Rice knocking is then fiancee unconscious with a single punch to the face:
The NFL claims that they never saw the video before it was obtained and published by TMZ, but this is a claim that is doubted by anyone that is familiar with the league’s investigative process. The NFL’s first mistake was handing down only a two game ban for domestic violence. The commissioner’s second mistake was his publicity campaign where he tried to justify the light punishment. The most popular sports league in the country could have sent a powerful message about how domestic violence won’t be tolerated in our society. Instead, they reinforced the misogyny, and allowed the Baltimore Ravens to explain away the incident by discussing what a good guy Ray Rice is.
Since of the release of the video, the NFL looks like a league that thinks drug use is a bigger crime than a professional athlete knocking a woman unconscious. Some men are stepping up to the plate. ESPN’s Bill Simmons told Ravens to release Ray Rice immediately, or they are cowards.
The Ravens have released Rice, but that only means that he is free to sign with another team. In short, Ray Rice can beat his wife and still play football.
Terrance Knighton of the Denver Broncos wants Ray Rice thrown out of the NFL and thrown into jail:
That man should be thrown out the the nfl and thrown into jail. Shame on those deciding his punishment. Smh
— Terrance Knighton (@MrKnighton2u) September 8, 2014
Former NFL linebacker Scott Fujita tweeted:
I’m glad no one this morning seems to care about yesterday’s games. This piece of shit needs to be out of the league. Period. — Scott Fujita (@sfujita55) September 8, 2014
There is no excuse for domestic violence ever. The men who are excusing what Ray Rice did are disgusting animals who will hopefully never be close enough to a woman to cause her harm. The NFL must do more, or else they will be guilty of legitimizing the culture of domestic violence in this country.
Terrance Knighton had it right. Ray Rice should never have been allowed to participate in a pretrial diversion program that upon completion will dismiss his assault charge. Rice belongs in jail. Until this society prioritizes the punishment of those who commit acts of domestic violence, women will continue to be beaten or die every day.
Commissioner Roger Goodell and Ray Rice have become a mirror for the attitude out domestic violence, and here is hoping that the American people are disgusted by what they are seeing.
Jason is the managing editor. He is also a White House Press Pool and a Congressional correspondent for PoliticusUSA. Jason has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. His graduate work focused on public policy, with a specialization in social reform movements.
Awards and Professional Memberships
Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Political Science Association
he was released by the ravens but what kills me is that this man hit his fiancée where he knocks her out and she marries him a month later. she will either divorce him now that he was released by the ravens or let him keep smacking her around. what a shame.
The problem is that Rice is still free to play in the NFL and sign with another team. All the Ravens did was dump him. More punishment is necessary.
love their reaction, as a politician, now where were they, when it came to ferguson, mo. typical pussy ass white boys in congress, yea, I said it.
Not so fast. The Ravens terminated his contract and the NFL suspended him for life
I feel that if any team chooses to employ Ray Rice they will face a public backlash that no ownership is willing to take.
From reading the opinions of other NFL players, I’m not sure if Rice could survive practice.
I want Raven’s former team leader Ray Lewis to weigh in on this if only to show if he is truly reformed from his previous life that landed him in prison.
The NFL has suspended Ray Rice “indefinitely”, not necessarily for life however I feel they will soon blacklist him permanently.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/ravens/2014/09/08/baltimore-ravens-cut-ray-rice/15291729/
Quick question, if anyone can answer, please explain. This video comes from the Revel Atlantic City Casino security serveillance, why wasn’t it presented as evidence at Rice’s trial in May?
Goodell let Vick play, now this. Goodell IS the problem.
He is gone for life. PERIOD. He is on the wrong side of 28 for a running back. His production was not like it was. And remember what the NFL means. NOT FOR LONG
Vick served his time so there is no comparison unless you are saying dogs are more important than women then in a perverse way you may have a point
The hosts of Fox & Friends on Monday turned video of NFL player Ray Rice punching his then-girlfriend unconscious in an elevator into a joke, saying that in the future she should “take the stairs.” […]
“I think the message is take the stairs,” [Brian Kilmeade] added, as co-host Anna Kooiman giggled.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djSkJGJmbKM
Maybe I’m in the minority, but “banned” for life is too too strict. One season, yes, but for life?
These two dated for 8 years and this might be a 1st time domestic fight. We don’t know, but shouldn’t we know?
I hope it’s indefinitely. Banned for life is too harsh IMO. Look at this – there are some NFLers who have done as bad as he did and they’re still playing. One of them “escaped” a charge of murder.
The Commissioner needs to resign, how stupid do you have to be to realize that Janay Rice received a beatdown in that elevator by Ray Rice. A 2 game suspension is ridiculous, only after the video became public did he change his position. The fact that Ray Rice never attempted to assist her or call an ambulance should leave anyone with common sense to believe that Ray Rice engaged in domestic violence with his fiancee and now wife. How ridiculous and stupid Roger Goodell looks today.
Once again an African-American is crushed under the boot heel of White privilege.
There’s 2 sides to every story.
What is Mr. Rice’s version of the (alleged) events?
Free my nicca!
There are not 2 sides when a football player knocks a woman out
Its not alleged, if you can go watch the video
The stupid just continues
Fox complains Obama wasn’t ‘leading’ on Ray Rice matter as White House issues statement
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/09/08/fox-complains-obama-wasnt-leading-on-ray-rice-matter-as-white-house-issues-statement/
Doesn’t take long for you liberals to politicize something.
All Fox did was make a joke. Liberals have no sense of humor.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Ray Rice was a big Obama supporter and Democrat voter.
Yeah – unless and until this kind of assault happens to YOU.
Inflicting pain upon and killing any creature is abhorrent. Vick didn’t do nearly enough time and he also ought to be banned for life. As should Ray.
Mr. Rice’s version is stunningly presented on video.
And it’s not going to help him.
Sociopathic @$$h0les, both of you.
Sorry, we are over the limpballs sarcasm and fox jokes. Even saying what that nearly naked bimbo said would get her fired on a real news network.
The joke thing doesnt fly any more.
Asshole I didn’t say it or make it up
Yeah, joking about domestic violence is NEVER funny, in any circumstance. So, when did YOU quit beating your wife? Har… Har… Har… It’s just a joke, right?
Sally, Thank you for your comments.
Now, here’s mine;
This man should be tried, convicted and incarcerated for this attack. Watching the lifeless body of this person after the assault almost made me sick.
Assault is assault.
Period.
How does seeing the punch make it any worse that he hit her so hard he knocked her out?
Hey, maybe we’re overreacting. It’s not like he smoked marijuana or anything.
I don’t believe he had an actual trial, where this video would likely have been played.
My understanding – and I could be wrong – is that there was a plea arrangement where he had to go through a domestic violence program.
If he had a trial, it’s likely this video would have been brought out as evidence, but it’s mere existence may have been known to the prosecutor already – as well as to Rice, his defense team, and possibly the NFL. It’s existence might have been enough to convince Rice to agree to the prosecutor’s conditions and avoid a trial.
Oh yes, a man knocking out a woman is so funny I can hardly breathe for laughing.
Are you out of your mind?
matt, you are one sick rethug. a joke about a women being batted around by a big huncking football player is no joke. If that were your daughter, would you feel the same? Not unless you really are a very sick individual.