The video you are about to see is of graphic nature and should be disturbing to everyone who watches it. The video is from TMZ Sports and shows the footage from what occurred in an elevator in Atlantic City involving Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice and his now-wife, Janay Palmer. The video is a bit grainy, but clearly shows Rice knocking Palmer unconscious, and then showing very little concern while standing over her body before dragging her out of the elevator. For his heinous actions, Rice was suspended just two games by the NFL. To prove that the punishment was far too light for the crime, take a look at the video below. But, please keep in mind, the following footage is of graphic nature and is certainly disturbing and appalling.
Again, Rice received just a two-game suspension for his actions. This is clearly another swing and miss by Roger Goodell and the NFL in terms of dealing out suspensions. Two games for this? Seriously?
Rice should have been suspended a minimum of eight games, which would be half of a season. That should have been the minimum suspension for what Rice did to his then-fiancee. A full season away from the game without pay would have been even more fitting.
Consider what other players received for suspensions for the 2014 NFL season. Dwayne Bow of the Kansas City Chiefs received a one-game suspension for marijuana use. Other players who have been caught for substance abuse on more than one occasion, including Ace Sanders, received a four-game suspension. I am not saying it is right, but that is twice the amount of games suspended for using recreational drugs.
Denver Broncos wide receiver Wes Welker was just given a four-game suspension for using performance enhancing drugs. His failed test came back in May, so it was not to get a leg up on the competition. Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon was suspended for the entire 2014 NFL season for multiple cases of substance abuse.
Even worse is the case of Indianapolis Colts defensive end Robert Mathis, who was given a four-game suspension for PEDs as well, but, in his case, the drug that caused him to fail the test was taken to help him and his wife start a family by helping increase the couples’ chances of getting pregnant.
And Rice, who cold-cocked his fiancée in an elevator and dragged her unconscious body away with little concern for her safety or well-being, is dealt just a two-game suspension.
When the NFL is ready to seriously deal with player punishment and learn how to rank offenses and prioritize suspensions, please let me know, because it is clear that they currently have no clue.
*** BREAKING NEWS: After being suspended indefinitely by the NFL following the disturbing release of this video, the Baltimore Ravens have terminated the contract of Ray Rice.
