In what is expected to create another stir, former Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice could be reinstated as early as November. The appeal hearing for his indefinite suspension is set for November 5-6, during which Judge Barbara Jones will be the arbitrator who hears the case.
Rice was originally suspended for two games after violating the NFL's personal conduct policy when TMZ released a video of the running back dragging his unconscious fiancée out of an elevator at the Revel Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City. What happened inside the elevator was not yet made available, until a new video surfaced on September 8, which showed Rice striking his then-fiancée, Janay Palmer, twice inside the elevator, knocking her unconscious.
The release of this video by TMZ prompted NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to retract his initial two-game suspension and then ban Rice indefinitely from the league. Goodell's actions have given Rice a significant reason to appeal: he was punished twice for the same crime, which is prohibited in the judicial system. The NFL Players Association is also arguing that he was denied due process, being that Goodell hastily made a drastic decision to save his own reputation after he made the (widely regarded) mistake of only banning Rice for two games.
"The NFLPA appeal is based on supporting facts that reveal a lack of a fair and impartial process, including the role of the office of the Commissioner of the NFL," the NFLPA said in a statement back in September, when they officially filed for appeal. "We have asked that a neutral and jointly selected arbitrator hear this case as the Commissioner and his staff will be essential witnesses in the proceeding and thus cannot serve as impartial arbitrators."
And it would not be shocking if the arbitrator ruled in Rice's favor. According to numerous reports and sources, Rice told Goodell the entire story and explicitly mentioned that he struck Palmer inside the elevator prior to the release of the graphic video. The NFL and the Baltimore Ravens were not very active in pursuing the video footage from Revel, which was also noted in the reports, and an NFL executive allegedly had possession of the tape back in April. Oddly enough, this all helps Rice's case.
So although Rice committed the wrongdoing, the blame ultimately lies with Goodell, because in the eyes of many he failed to make the correct decision on the matter. And if Rice is reinstated, Goodell might look even worse than he already does.
It still remains a possibility that Goodell testifies at the hearing, but there has yet to be any news on that.
