NFL commissioner Roger Goodell testified under oath Wednesday for over two hours in former Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice's appeal hearing in New York City, ESPN reported.
Goodell was the first witness called in the appeal hearing. The commissioner suspended Ray Rice indefinitely after a video of his domestic violence incident became public. Goodell had initially suspended the running back for two games.
A significant portion of his testimony was spent under cross-examination by outside union attorney Jeffrey Kessler. The NFL players' union is handling the appeal for Rice, who was released by the Ravens this summer.
A gag order in the case has prohibited any reports regarding the content of Goodell's testimony from becoming public.
Rice and his wife, Janay, were present at the hearing. U.S. District Judge Barbara S. Jones will decide the appeal after all witnesses have testified under oath. Sources believe a decision could come in a matter of days.
The Rices are expected to testify separately later today. NFL security chief Jeffrey Miller and Baltimore Ravens' president Dick Cass, along with Goodell, are also expected to testify at some point in the hearing.
Rice argued that Goodell's indefinite suspension violates labor law, as he was already punished for the offense in question. He is seeking immediate reinstatement. Rice also filed a grievance against Baltimore, claiming that he was unjustly released and seeking repayment for games missed.
