National Football League

How Rice's words (not actions) got him suspended indefinitely

Published Sep. 12, 2014 1:48 p.m. ET

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Ross Jones

One of the questions surrounding the Ray Rice investigation is why the former Baltimore Ravens running back was suspended indefinitely as opposed to six games, which is the ban for first-time offenders set out in the NFL's new domestic abuse policy introduced last month.

First-time offenders are subject to a suspension of six games without pay, according to the policy. After the TMZ video emerged Monday, the league reacted and changed Rice's two-game suspension, which was given before the new policy, to an indefinite one.

How is Rice's case different from that of any other NFL player who violates this policy?

The league has offered some clarity on their decision. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell sent a letter to the players union on Friday, according to ESPN.com, detailing the adjustment in the ban.

"This video shows a starkly different sequence of events from what you and your representatives stated when we met on June 16," Goodell wrote, according to the report, "and is important new information that warrants reconsideration of the discipline imposed on you in July.

"Based on this new information, I have concluded that the discipline imposed upon you in July was insufficient under all the circumstances and have determined instead to impose an indefinite suspension."

Now that the players union has been notified, it has three days to inform the league if it intends to appeal.

The NFLPA is "considering all options," union spokesman George Atallah told ESPN.

Meanwhile, the NFL has hired former FBI director Robert Mueller to conduct an investigation into how the league pursued and handled evidence.

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