The NFL Players Association on Tuesday appealed disgraced ex-Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice's indefinite suspension from the league following the release of shocking video that showed Rice punching his then-fiancée in the face during an incident in a casino hotel elevator in February.
The union says in the appeal that Rice, a 2008 second-round draft pick, is owed due process and a fair hearing. The appeal is being handled through the Players Association and by an outside lawyer retained by Rice.
Ray was initially only suspended two games after an earlier video showed the running back dragging his fiancée, Janay Palmer out of the elevator following the incident at Revel Casino in Atlantic City. But the Ravens terminated his contract and he was suspended by the league indefinitely after a second video showing the punch was posted by celebrity-gossip site TMZ last week.
In a statement, the union said Rice was improperly punished twice. It asked for a "neutral and jointly selected arbitrator" to review the case, saying NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and members of his staff would be "essential witnesses."
IN-DEPTH
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— Phil Helsel and M. Alex Johnson
