Earlier, TMZ released new video which showed, for the first time, Ray Rice punching Janay Palmer in the elevator of the Revel Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City. And while the NFL is stating that they had not seen the footage previously, the video evidence of Rice knocking out his fiance has led to a renewed focus on Rice’s status within the NFL and Roger Goodell’s two-game suspension for Rice following the attack.
Broncos defensive tackle Terrance Knighton not only wants Rice’s case re-opened, he wants him removed from the NFL entirely:
That man should be thrown out the the nfl and thrown into jail. Shame on those deciding his punishment. Smh
— Terrance Knighton (@MrKnighton2u) September 8, 2014
If there's anyway to open that case up and give this guy the punishment he deserves, it NEEDS to be done.
— Terrance Knighton (@MrKnighton2u) September 8, 2014
As players we must speak up. Stand up for what's right. I don't give a damn who u are or how much money you make. No place for this.
— Terrance Knighton (@MrKnighton2u) September 8, 2014
Packers guard T.J. Lang also gave his views on Rice, in light of the new footage:
2 games. Disturbing.
— TJ Lang (@TJLang70) September 8, 2014
Duke Ihenacho called for the NFL to re-open Rice’s suspension case:
No I don't care how you slice it, it's wrong. They gotta open the case back up and come down hard on this one
— Duke Ihenacho (@NachoLyfe) September 8, 2014
Brady Quinn called upon the NFL to be even harsher on domestic violence than the recent guidelines instituted by the NFL following the Rice case would allow.
Am I the only one who believes it should be a lifetime ban for the first time a player commits domestic violence? They should be done period
— Brady Quinn (@3rd_Goal) September 8, 2014
Former NFL linebacker Scott Fujita was similarly outraged and disturbed by the video and the NFL’s two-game suspension.
I'm glad no one this morning seems to care about yesterday's games. This piece of shit needs to be out of the league. Period.
— Scott Fujita (@sfujita55) September 8, 2014
Former offensive lineman LeCharles Bentley also weighed in with similarly strong words for Rice.
2 games?!?! His ass needs to be in jail. I don't smoke weed but I'd rather have a weed head on my team than a Ray Rice. #Coward
— LeCharles Bentley (@LeCharlesBent65) September 8, 2014
NFL players want to stand up for some shat, don't play against Ravens until Rice is suspended indefinitely. What if that was YOUR daughter?
— LeCharles Bentley (@LeCharlesBent65) September 8, 2014
He could've killed that girl. They need to sports science the force of that punch. NFL players are STRONG… Like very strong…
— LeCharles Bentley (@LeCharlesBent65) September 8, 2014
London Fletcher may have provided the most succinct viewpoint, though.
@nflcommish to say you got that wrong is an understatement. Very disappointed in you. Wow…unbelievable.
— London Fletcher (@LFletcher59) September 8, 2014
And while everyone is calling on the NFL and Roger Goodell to re-open the case against Ray Rice, it must be remembered that the Baltimore Ravens are not being forced to employ Rice even after their bizarre show of support for Rice following his suspension. One thing is for certain. This isn’t going away anytime soon.
