FOX NFL INSIDER JAY GLAZER WEIGHS IN ON RAY RICE RELEASE FROM BALTIMORE RAVENS, SUSPENSION FROM THE NFL ON AMERICA’S PREGAME

FOX NFL Insider Jay Glazer appeared with host Mike Hill on FOX Sports 1’s AMERICA’S PREGAME this evening to discuss Monday’s contract termination and indefinite NFL suspension of Baltimore Ravens’ running back Ray Rice. Earlier in the day, the website TMZ released a video of Rice assaulting his wife, Janay, in the elevator of an Atlantic City hotel in February. Upon seeing the previously restricted video, the club terminated Rice, and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announced that the seven-year veteran would be suspended from the league indefinitely.

The league’s preeminent insider whose vast network includes coaches, players and team executives, Glazer offered his thoughts on the video and the story that is dominating the league’s news cycle:

On skepticism that the NFL had seen the video when it handed down Rice’s two-game suspension:

“I don’t think they had the video, at least based on the information that I got. Again, I reported a month and a half ago that they made this decision, not having seen the video. And look, I get it; nobody believes that, absolutely nobody believes it. But I have to believe that anybody in their right mind who saw this video would not suspend him for [only] two weeks. That’s why I tend to believe them on this, because nobody on the planet could look at this and go, ‘Yeah, two games, that’s enough.’ There is absolutely no way. Look, you play a violent sport and if you’re violent against a woman, your privilege to play that sport should be stripped immediately, and it was, once they saw this.”

On whether he believes the NFL tried to obtain a copy of the video before it was acquired by TMZ:

“I think they tried to get it, but here is what I think: they’re saying Ray Rice went in there and described to them what happened in that elevator. But there is a difference between saying what happened and actually seeing the absolute annoyance and disdain that he had after she would not get up after he knocked her out. There are so many appalling things here. I’m glad they banned him. You should absolutely have your privilege taken away to play this sport or any sport if you’re violent toward a woman…I have absolutely no patience, nothing drives me crazier and there is nothing more cowardly than this. It’s gutless, man.””

Hill, who spent time in an abusive home during his childhood, added his own feelings on the issue at the end of the interview:

“I have no tolerance for this whatsoever. As a man who saw his mom beaten, I will not stand for any man putting his hands on a woman. Hopefully, this mess will develop more dialogue so we can alleviate things like this from happening. Not just in the NFL, NBA and sports, but in society period. You do not put your hands on a woman, no matter what.”