Ray Rice says videotape isn't nearly what it looks like



ESPN:
One of the chief arguments that Ray Rice will make in the appeal of his indefinite suspension is that the NFL extended his punishment on the basis of an edited videotape, sources told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.

Legal sources told Schefter that the TMZ tape of Rice hitting his then-fiancee was a cleaned-up, whittled down and condensed version of the events that took place in the Atlantic City casino elevator.

There are so many unanswered questions with the Ray Rice investigation that the Baltimore Ravens and the NFL are now on trial. On June 16, 2014, Ray Rice confirmed the knockout punch in the Atlantic City casino elevator with the Baltimore Ravens. Following the first version of the videotape, John Harbaugh, head coach of the Ravens, wanted to immediately cut Ray Rice from the team.

The Baltimore Ravens, in conjunction with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, awarded Ray Rice only a two game suspension. The most comprehensive reasoning for this light punishment was explained last Wednesday by a caller on the Stephen A. Smith show on Sirius Satellite Radio.

Sharon, from Westchester County, NY which encompasses Bronxville, the hometown of NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, states that it was Roger's familiarity with the Ravens RB that cut Ray a break. Her version of the lenient penalty assessed to Ray Rice stems from the fact that Roger has known Ray for over 10 years. He was in attendance when Ray led New Rochelle High School to the state title in 2003. He also knows that Ray rushed for 462 yards on 42 carries in one game in his senior year.

The fact that the Commissioner would meet with Ray and his wife Janay Palmer together, and levy only a two game suspension, was just one favor for the home team.

Roger Goodell states that "we must get our house in order, first." Instead of watching the Ray Rice videotape that your security team couldn't get a copy of, watch Godfather Part II. Michael Corleone will tell you what his father told him. "Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer."

Ambiguity- a lack of decisiveness or commitment resulting from a failure to make a choice between alternatives. This was the buzzword for Commissioner, Roger Goodell. Now it is being used against the NFL Commissioner by his pal, Ray Rice. It all makes sense to me, now.

Paul Murphy is a freelance writer from New Hampshire.

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