Following the release of new video by TMZ Sports, the Baltimore Ravens decided this week to terminate its contract with star running back Ray Rice. The condemning footage, taken inside an elevator at an Atlantic City casino, shows Rice hitting his then-fiancee Janay Palmer, causing her head to slam into a railing. She was rendered unconscious by the hit. Video that had been released earlier this year showed Rice dragging Palmer out of the elevator, and for that offense he was serving a two-game suspension. This new revelation about what happened in the seconds before those elevator doors opened is what has cost Rice his job.
The National Football League and specifically commissioner Roger Goodell came under a lot of fire for their initial treatment of Rice, which many considered to make light of domestic abuse offenses. In fact, not long after the announcement of Rice’s two-game suspension, Goodell admitted an error in judgment and changed the NFL policy to an automatic six-game suspension for first-time domestic violence offenders. No doubt this new and disturbing video of Rice will result in even more conversations about how the problem of violence against women is handled not just in football but across professional sports.
As we all know, violence in our homes and between people who are supposed to love and protect one another does not just happen at the hands of athletes. Domestic abuse occurs throughout the population. If you have found yourself in a living situation in which you do not feel safe, please seek help today.
Call the National Domestic Abuse Hotline at (800) 799-SAFE (7233). There are people ready to help you 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
And, for the long term, there is legal protection available to you as well. At Bertolino LLP, we have family law attorneys who can advocate for you in the courtroom and get a protective order if you or your children are at risk. Please don’t wait.
Call or text (512) 476-5757 or complete a Case Evaluation form
