Ray Rice’s suspension sets off angry reaction on Twitter
Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice was suspended Thursday by the NFL for the first two games of this season after his offseason arrest on an assault charge.
Rice was arrested following a Feb. 15 altercation in Atlantic City, N.J., in which he allegedly struck then-fiancee Janay Palmer. Video of the incident later surfaced. Rice, 27, has been accepted into a diversion program, which upon completion could lead to the charges being expunged.
Rice met with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell last month after joining the diversion program. Goodell ultimately decided to suspend the running back for two games without pay and fine him an additional game check “for conduct detrimental to the NFL in violation of the league’s Personal Conduct Policy.”
In a letter to Rice, Goodell wrote, “Despite the court’s decision not to impose criminal punishment, the Commissioner determined, as he advised Rice, that the conduct was incompatible with NFL policies and warranted disciplinary action.
“As you acknowledged during our meeting, your conduct was unquestionably inconsistent with league polices and the standard of behavior required of everyone who is part of the NFL. The league is an entity that depends on integrity and in the confidence of the public and we simply cannot tolerate conduct that endangers others or reflects negatively on our game. This is particularly true with respect to domestic violence and other forms of violence against women.”
While ESPN reported that the NFL will announced the suspension today, there has been no official word. However, the reaction on Twitter was fierce.
The @nfl should be embarrassed for the Ray Rice suspension. 2 games for assault on your wife? Are you serious? #shameful
— Antonio Venegas (@advenegas) July 24, 2014Ray Rice: Beat a woman unconscious, suspended 2 games. I guess permanent brain or organ damage is mandate for 4 games, right @nflcommish?
— Jeff Schultz (@JeffSchultzAJC) July 24, 2014I mean seriously, Roger. This video is so disturbing and disgusting. #speechless @nflcommish http://t.co/4oCk6D3uRH
— Jim Trotter (@JimTrotter_NFL) July 24, 2014Many people also took note of the NFL’s dealings with Browns receiver Josh Gordon.
ESPN reported Thursday that Gordon will appeal a one-year suspension in a meeting Aug. 1 with NFL officials. Last year, he he was suspended two games for testing positive for codeine.
Over Memorial Day weekend, Gordon was pulled over for speeding and a passenger in his car was cited for marijuana. He was also arrested in North Carolina on suspicion of DWI in early July.
Ray Rice gets two games for beating his woman, but Josh Gordon is suspended for the year for smoking some weed? That sounds right.
— Christian Vinson (@VIsForVinson) July 24, 2014Good thing Ray Rice didn't smoke anything before he knocked his girlfriend out and dragged her out of an elevator. @nflcommish @nfl @espn
— Tom Granowitz (@tom_granowitz) July 24, 2014The Associated Press contributed to this story
This story was originally published July 24, 2014 at 11:20 AM.