The incident that took place in the elevator at the Atlantic City hotel involving Ray Rice and his then fiancée Janay Palmer has forever tarnished the National Football League’s commissioner Roger Goodell’s legacy.
Similar to Major League Baseball’s commissioner Bud Selig after the steroid scandal, Goodell can never be seen in the same light as he once was.
Police arrested Ray Rice and Janay Palmer on Feb.15 in a casino elevator after Rice assaulted Palmer.
Rice was indicted on March 27 on third degree aggravated assault charge by an Atlantic County grand jury.
On May 1, Rice was accepted into a first-time offenders program and will have charges erased after one year. Rice pretty much got away with only a slap on the wrist for throwing a punch to the face. But his wife didn’t want to press charges, so nothing could be done after that.
On July 2, the NFL announced only a two-game ban for Rice, after he met with Goodell on June 16 and admitted to Goodell the full details of that night.
Sept. 9, the video of Rice striking Palmer within the elevator was released by TMZ, and the monstrous image of Rice was brought to light.
The Ravens immediately cut Rice; Goodell suspended him for a second time, though this time indefinitely.
Goodell instituted a new conduct policy regarding domestic violence instances and suspensions. Suspensions will start at six games for first offenses and a lifetime ban will ensue for a following offense.
According to the Associated Press, the infamous video of Rice striking Palmer was sent to a NFL office on April 9 where a corresponding confirmation voicemail was received.
How did the video actually get sent? Did Goodell see the video?
It doesn’t matter if Goodell saw the video or not, Rice had already admitted his crime to the league and his team. Domestic violence and violence against women should not be tolerated.
Does seeing a video of the incident change the matter of what happened in that elevator?
No, it doesn’t if Rice had already given an accurate description of events to the league.
But we all know Goodell did see the video. How is it that the most powerful man in the NFL, who presides over all suspensions, didn’t see the video, which was sent to the league regarding a disciplinary incident? I highly doubt that Goodell didn’t see that piece of footage before it was broadcasted all over the world.
I’m not saying Rice is the victim, but the man was not given a fair trial by the league. Rice admitted his crimes and had evidence to show and was suspended. Rice didn’t make the decision on how many games he was suspended for. Why should he be re-suspended because footage released to the media?
Being in the NFL is a privilege, and many would do anything to be in the league. It’s a cherished elite fraternity of men who are looked to as role models.
In a situation where Goodell should have stood up and made a statement that domestic violence will not be tolerated, he simply dropped the ball.
Despite Goodell losing his job or not, the complacency and lack of urgency applied to the Rice incident, the reputation of the NFL commissioner is forever blemished.