NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell will once again play a major role in deciding Ray Rice’s future.
Despite objections from the league, Goodell has been ordered to testify at the appeal hearing of the former Baltimore Ravens. Rice is currently suspended indefinitely under the NFL’s personal conduct policy after video of him brutally assaulting his wife, Janay, was made public. Rice had originally been suspended only two games after being arrested and charged for the incident.
The premise of Rice’s appeal is that he was truthful with the commissioner about the nature of his offense on the night in question and Goodell increased his suspension only in response to strong, negative public reaction to the video. Goodell has maintained that Rice gave an “ambiguous” account, intentionally deceiving the commissioner and necessitating a revision of punishment.
Goodell will be among several high-ranking NFL and Baltimore Ravens officials testifying before a neutral arbiter, former U.S. District Judge Barbara S. Jones, jointly selected by the commissioner and the NFL Player’s Association.
