The Slatest

Video of Ray Rice Punching Fiancée Surfaces, Rice’s Contract Terminated

Ray Rice.

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A new video, released on Monday by TMZ, shows Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice knocking out his then-fiancee Janay Palmer. The assault earned Rice a two-game suspension from the NFL.

From TMZ:

The incident took place Feb. 15th at the Revel Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City – after Ray and then-fiancee (now wife) Janay Palmer got into a heated argument on their way into the elevator. 

Inside the elevator it’s apparent he strikes first … she hits back … and then Rice delivers the knockout blow.

The punch knocks Janay off her feet – and she smashes her head on the elevator hand rail … knocking her out cold. Ray doesn’t seem phased … and when the door opens, he drags her out into the hotel. 

An employee of the recently closed hotel purportedly told TMZ that the NFL had seen the footage before settling on a two-game suspension as punishment. (By comparison, Carolina Panthers defensive end Frank Alexander received a four-game suspension for testing positive for a substance banned by the NFL.) However, as Fox News noted, “NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has since announced harsher penalties for domestic abuse, telling league owners in a letter last month that he ‘didn’t get it right’ in Rice’s case.”

Goodell will soon have an opportunity to put in place these new penalties: Quincy Enuwa, a practice squad player with the New York Jets, was recently arrested for simple assault following an alleged domestic violence dispute.

Update September 8, 2014, 2:30 PM: The Baltimore Ravens terminated Ray Rice’s contract, according to their Twitter account.

Update September 8, 2014, 2:53 PM: The NFL has also suspended Rice indefinitely. Both the NFL and the Baltimore Ravens claim they have not previously seen the footage, despite some evidence suggesting otherwise.