Ray Rice Reinstated, Will Anyone Dare...???

((HT: WJZ-TV))

The HQ saw this coming a while back...

When it appeared that the NFL had gone after now-former Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice in a double jeopardy sense after the assault of his then-fiancee, Janay Palmer, in an elevator we thought the second suspension constituted what we thought.

Overzealous activity...

So, yes when judge Barbara Jones heard the case as an arbitor, we figured this would be her response:

"In this arbitration, the NFL argues that Commissioner Goodell was misled when he disciplined Rice the first time. Because, after careful consideration of all of the evidence, I am not persuaded that Rice lied to, or misled, the NFL at his June interview, I find that the indefinite suspension was an abuse of discretion and must be vacated," Jones' decision stated.

"I find that the NFLPA carried its burden of showing that Rice did not mislead the Commissioner at the June 16th meeting, and therefore, that the imposition of a second suspension based on the same incident and the same known facts about the incident, was arbitrary," Jones also wrote.

"The Commissioner needed to be fair and consistent in his imposition of discipline.

"Moreover, any failure on the part of the League to understand the level of violence was not due to Rice's description of the event but to the inadequacy of words to convey the seriousness of domestic violence. That the League did not realize the severity of the conduct without a visual record also speaks to their admitted failure in the past to sanction this type of conduct more severely."

Here's the rundown from Baltimore...


Now, the larger question: Will anyone hire him for the stretch run this season or will there be some kind of collusion/adverse reaction to public opinion that will keep Rice unemployed in the NFL...???

The HQ thinks the latter...

For a while...

Report: NFL Begins to Spin Their Ray Rice Efforts

((ht: abcnews.go.com))

Oh boy. We should have known this might be coming but never the less it's interesting to see how the NFL's PR machine is spinning how the league "investigated" the Ray Rice incident.

The NFL's chief spokesman went to ABC News and told them about "efforts" to uncover the Rice video and a detailed report of what happened.

It doesn't appear the leagues investigative arm spent a lot of time worrying about it.

McCarthy tells ABC that the league "Reached out to multiple law enforcement agencies and a court" in an effort to get to the bottom of what happened.

The NFL tried two more times to ask agencies completely unrelated to the investigation over the next 4-months to try and get more information about what happened.

They got nothing

Read the entire ABCNews story RIGHT HERE

---Sigh---

This is the "Vaunted" NFL Security at work? Really?

The NFL wants YOU to believe that calling the wrong agencies and not following up was enough to say they "thoroughly" investigated a crime committed by one of their players?

Um....okay.

Even a rookie journalist would have known who to call for more information about the incident. And while they may not have gotten any further, at least they would have officially known that.

ABC also mentioned that the NFL never tried to contact either agency who actually had the Rice video. Maybe they didn't know who to call.

But at least a cursory call to oh, say, the Atlantic County (City) Prosecutor's office might have been a good place to start.

It's appalling that the NFL actually is selling this storyline to news agencies. And we just hope than none of them buy into the line of crap.

They are essentially calling their "Security" arm incompetent, stupid and not particularly thorough. And hey, maybe they are to blame for the lack of follow up. It would also explain why the league has been more concerned about marijuana suspensions than actual serious crimes over the past decade or two.

But if this truly IS the story that they are floating about what they've been doing, they've got quite a bit more to worry about...

Ravens Owner Says Rice Leaked Info To ESPN for Investigation

By now, if you are following the ongoing saga of the NFL and Ray Rice, you are probably aware of a story released by ESPN's Outside the Lines saying the Ravens knew everything and tried help hide the existence of the damning "elevator" video.

In case you haven't read it, you can read the Don Van Natta and Kevin Van Valkenburg investigation RIGHT HERE

Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti came out firing, accusing Rice, his friends and his defense team of leaking information, trying to help build a case for Rice to return to football at some point in time.

He also publicly apologized for not following through and trying to look at the video inside the elevator at the New Jersey Casino. He admitted he was wrong and and wishes he could do it over again.

Bisciotti simultaneously released a letter to the Ravens fan base which is posted on their website: (A brief summary)

--Bisciotti reiterates this: "As I stated to you in my letter on September 9th, we did not do all we should have done and no amount of explanation can remedy that. But there has been no misdirection or misinformation by the Ravens"

--A statement by Ravens head of security Darren Sanders who is been alleged to have seen or informed of the inside the elevator video shortly after Ray Rice punched Janay Rice in the elevator:

“I did not receive an account of what happened in the elevator “within hours” of the incident.  Within a couple of days, I asked the casino and the Atlantic City Police Department for a copy of any videotape of the incident.  They said they could not release a copy of the videotape to me.  Some days later—I believe it was on February 25—I spoke to an Atlantic City police official again, asking again whether I could get a copy of the tape or, if not, whether I could come to his New Jersey office and view it. He said I could not, but he did offer to view the tape and describe what he saw."

---A statement by team G.M Ozzie Newsome who is alleged to have been told exactly what happened by Rice.

“I did not receive an account of what happened in the elevator “within hours” of the incident.  Within a couple of days, I asked the casino and the Atlantic City Police Department for a copy of any videotape of the incident.  They said they could not release a copy of the videotape to me.  Some days later—I believe it was on February 25—I spoke to an Atlantic City police official again, asking again whether I could get a copy of the tape or, if not, whether I could come to his New Jersey office and view it. He said I could not, but he did offer to view the tape and describe what he 
saw. "

--And then this, countering the allegation Bisciotti offered Rice a job after releasing him. And that the offer was made for "hush" money:

“I did not receive an account of what happened in the elevator “within hours” of the incident.  Within a couple of days, I asked the casino and the Atlantic City Police Department for a copy of any videotape of the incident.  They said they could not release a copy of the videotape to me.  Some days later—I believe it was on February 25—I spoke to an Atlantic City police official again, asking again whether I could get a copy of the tape or, if not, whether I could come to his New Jersey office and view it. He said I could not, but he did offer to view the tape and describe what he saw. "

You can read the entire statement countering all points of the article RIGHT HERE

Bisciotti spent a good portion of the time talking about his surprise the NFL did not know about the video and not thinking to ask Rice's lawyer, who DID have the tape, to see it.

He also got emotional denying that he lobbied NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell for a shorter suspension for Rice initially saying, "Why would I do that?" "I played golf with the commissioner but nobody has ever accused us of being friends" "I expected a 4-6 game suspension for Ray, not 2"

Another strong statement: The NFL has never escalated domestic violence to the level of bar fights and drugs. And to be honest, he's right. He's done a strong job of stating the NFL's weakness, inequity and lack of a strong discipline policy. He also said this is a great opportunity for the league and for Goodell to take the lead and change and elevate the response to domestic violence.

To his credit, Bisciotti was quite a bit more open and emotional than NFL commissioner Roger Goodell when talking about the issue. He did not hide behind vagueness, he was upset he and his team's integrity was being questioned. And his team came prepared to repute every aspect of ESPN's report.

We suspect the truth in this matter, like most, lies somewhere between these two stories. But props to Bisciotti and the Ravens team for being prepared and able to explain every accusation.

We hope to god this is the end of the lengthy press conferences about this subject. It happened. It was horrible. A lot of people made a lot of mistakes. Let's find out who did and when the time is right, release the information.

But until then, we are ready for the Sports world to move on.

ESPN Eviscerates Ravens and NFL's Ray Rice Explanation

((ht: espn.com))

Oh boy! Nothing like dropping a bombshell on a Friday night. But man, if you are following the saga of the NFL, Baltimore Ravens and how they handled the Ray Rice incident, this is huge.

ESPN's Outside the Line produced a detailed report that went into great behind the scenes detail to explain what the Baltimore Ravens and the NFL may or may not have known while investigating now former Raven Ray Rice.

You can read their fantastically detailed report RIGHT HERE

Yeah...

The report cites multiple sources who say the Ravens knew quite a bit more about what happened than they let on. But they gave Rice the benefit of the doubt because of the good deeds he'd done for them.

But it also details Rice's lawyer seeing the videotape long before it was made public and making the team aware of it. In fact, they apparently knew just hours after the February incident, exactly what happened. Which DIRECTLY contradicts what team owner Steve Bisciotti has gone on the record saying.

It also speaks about Ravens coach John Harbaugh wanting Rice gone immediately after hearing about what happened. Harbaugh was overruled by team president Dick Cass and G.M Ozzie Newsome. Harbaugh apparently tried again when two other players got in trouble to cut those two along with Rice. Again he was overruled. This all happened before the video became public.

Essentially, the report calls the Ravens liars.

And Roger Goodell along with his investigators are not spared. While not saying Goodell himself actually saw the video, the NFL itself was apparently well aware of what happened. The report does portray Goodell as regretting his decision early in the process, but he eventually bowed to pressure from the Ravens to do them a favor.

Again, you REALLY need to watch this report. If you thought highly of the NFL and their credibility before, this should end it. Of course the Jolly Roger's press conference on Friday didn't help things much either.

Here's your video story from ESPN.com:

Roger Goodell Speaks: Finally

The Jolly Roger finally came out of hiding Friday afternoon and held a press conference.

And he began the press conference by apologizing, by stating he made a mistake, he did the wrong thing in the Ray Rice case.

He began by saying; "I got it wrong, I'm sorry, but now I will get it right" He later added; "The same mistakes can never be repeated. We will do whatever is necessary to make that happen".

Goodell was also asked "Have you considered resigning? I have not. I'm focused on doing my job and doing it to the best of my ability."

But when pressed on the Ray Rice question, there was a problem. Goodell was asked about the difference between what Rice told him and what the video showed, he said that he wouldn't answer because the case is under appeal and he "respects the appeals process".  Um, Mr. Commish? Did you not say during this presser that investigations would be transparent?

He also maintained his belief that nobody at the league office saw the Rice video, despite the Associated Press report to the contrary.

Perhaps the most telling question of the Rice incident came from a TMZ reporter who asked how the NFL couldn't get access to the story. The reporter said "It took us one phone call".

And he spoke at length about Robert Mueller and his pending review of what the NFL did and his "search for answers". However, Mueller's past legal work and ties to the league were brought into question. Goodell says he didn't believe it would be a conflict. Uh..yeah.

Roger Goodell also spelled out a slew of new initiatives which he says will place the NFL in a leadership role and set an example of what is right and what is wrong.

**It should also be noted that the presser was crashed by someone from the Howard Stern show. Which may have been the most human moment of the whole event.

Among the initiatives:

---A partnership with the National Domestic Violence Hotline and National Sexual Violence Resource Center.

--Changes to the personal conduct policy. Goodell noted "Nothing is off the table"

---An updated conduct committee of outside experts (that should be interesting) that will be in place according to Goodell, "By the Super Bowl".

Bottom Line: An apologetic Goodell is playing the sympathy card. To his credit he's owning the mistake.  Classic PR 101, ask for forgiveness to help take the focus of the problem off of you.

But he also, once the questioning began, became the typically vague and condescending person he's been criticized in the media for being. He was very vague about his committee's, extremely vague when pressed about the Rice issue and vague about discipline and his standing with the ownership.

And there within lies the rub. It was a classic NFL press conference that didn't sound nearly as apologetic that it was presented as being. While admitting the obvious, both he and the league made mistakes, really nothing else was accomplished by doing this.

It came across strictly as a PR event to make Goodell be visible again. He's taken a ton of heat and has totally avoided the public over the last couple of weeks. And his handlers understood he had to say something. But he needed to come across as a human being in this press conference.

He didn't.

Wow! Tons of Ravens Fans Show Up to Turn in Ray Rice Jerseys

((ht: foxbaltimore.com))

The Baltimore Ravens made a deal with their fans Friday morning.

Show up at the M&T Stadium gear shop with your Ray Rice jersey and you can exchange it for another one at no cost. With a few rules:

---Only licensed jerseys
---Nike or Reebok only
---Bought at Team Store or on Team Website
---And only one exchange per person.

And a bunch, we mean, lined around the block, showed up at 4am line of fans took them up on the offer. Apparently the team store sold a lot of Rice's jerseys...

Some video of the line from WMAR-TV in Baltimore:

Greg Hardy To Be Put On Exempt List

While the Ray Rice saga garnered most of the headlines last week, the NFL's other significant domestic abuse case had all but gone unnoticed.

Not until Rice made headlines and the NFL botched there handling of it, did many people take notice of Carolina Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy's conviction back in July.

Hardy played in the 1st game of the season for the Panthers, but after the events of last week, the Panthers pulled him from the lineup at the last minute on Sunday.

With his status in limbo, the team announced Wednesday afternoon they would place Hardy on the Exempt list. Which in essence puts him on paid leave until his issues are resolved (much like Adrian Peterson).

Hardy, while pleading guilty to the July charges, decided to appeal that decision and take the case to trial. That trial has not been scheduled yet. According to North Carolina law, since the original case was heard only by a judge, he can appeal and the trial must be heard by a jury.

In the meantime, he is not allowed to play or practice with his team, though he is allowed to be at the teams facilities in Charlotte.

No timetable has been given for his return, though team G.M Dave Gettleman did say that it won't be until the legal process is finished.

In case you haven't seen it, here's the saga of Mr. Hardy:

Surprising No One, NFLPA Appeals Rice Suspension

((HT: ESPN))

Double jeopardy doesn't work in any formation of the law- and that inclues the implementation of suspensions in the NFL.

The NFLPA is challenging the indefinite suspension of former Baltimore Ravens RB Ray Rice on the grounds that he was penalized for the same infraction twice. No matter how repulsive the charge and action, the NFLPA is doing the job that you would expect an association to do to back up one of their employees.

"This action taken by our union is to protect the due process rights of all NFL players," the NFL Players Association said in a statement. "The NFLPA appeal is based on supporting facts that reveal a lack of a fair and impartial process, including the role of the office of the commissioner of the NFL. We have asked that a neutral and jointly selected arbitrator hear this case as the commissioner and his staff will be essential witnesses in the proceeding and thus cannot serve as impartial arbitrators."

Jeff Saturday discusses:


Rice can apply for reinstatement when he convinces NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell that he is "addressing this issue." Rice is in a diversion program at present and he could get the assault charged expunged if he completes it successfully.

But here's how the HQ sees this playing out...

The NFLPA will challenge, and will win their case. But no one will hire Ray Rice as an employee in the NFL (or any other league for that matter). This black-balling will cause Rice to sue the NFL for wrongful termination and the league and the player will be in court in an ugly case with a high-profile attorney defending his right to work.

This is FAR from over...

NFL's Worst Week Ever: ESPN's Cris Carter With Powerful Statement

((ht: espn.com))

Bravo to ESPN this Sunday morning. In the midst of the worst PR week in the history of the NFL, the 4-Letter showed and allowed their bevy of former players and analysts the opportunity to speak from the heart about the issues of the week.

And some of them made incredibly strong and powerful statements.

None more so than former Minnesota Vikings receiver and current NFL analyst Cris Carter who spoke about his upbringing and why hitting a child is wrong.

Carter spoke eloquently about the Adrian Peterson issue,  how times have changed and while most of us of a certain age were struck with a variety of things while children, the fact that it happened doesn't necessarily make it right.

He also spoke out about Ray Rice and the discipline issues that the NFL is failing to control.

NFL's Worst Week Ever: Finally The Panthers Deactivate Greg Hardy

In midst of perhaps the worst PR week in NFL history, one more event transpired on Sunday.

After catching flak from all sides, the Carolina Panthers deactivated star Defensive End Greg Hardy for their game against the Detroit Lions.

We and multiple other blogs and outlets have questioned why Hardy was still playing despite his conviction for domestic violence against his then girlfriend. Particularly in light of this past weeks situation with former Baltimore Raven Ray Rice.

Yet the Panthers took the spin "Let the legal system run its course".

Huh?

Yes, Hardy is appealing his conviction, but that never changed the fact HE WAS CONVICTED. And yes, his appeal will be heard by a jury instead of him pleading out to a judge.

But it changes nothing.

It's been a horrible week for the league between Rice, the Adrian Peterson situation and now this. Yet the Panthers never saw anything wrong with their decision.

To their credit, the Vikings upon receiving word of Peterson's indictment, deactivated him. Which was the proper response. That should have been a hint to the Panthers.

If Hardy wins his appeal, then yeah, sure, let him play. But until then, in light of unfolding events, how can you keep someone convicted of domestic violence on your roster.

That last sentence alone explains why the NFL is in the predicament it currently is.

NFL and Domestic Violence: Greg Hardy is Still Playing--Why?

With all the hubbub this week having to do with the almost buffonish handling of the Ray Rice case by the NFL, another player with domestic violence issues seems to be skating by unnoticed.

Greg Hardy, star defensive end for the Carolina Panthers is slated to be in the starting lineup yet again this week vs. San Francisco.

That wouldn't be a big deal except Hardy was CONVICTED this summer for assaulting his girlfriend. The story was reported by us and many other outlets back in July, but since then no discernible disciplinary action has ever been taken by the Panthers....or the NFL.

Yes, Panther fans, we know Hardy is "appealing" the ruling, but that is not likely to work. And there is NO reason Hardy should not have been disciplined.

Hardy's issues began when he beat up his girlfriend back in May. Reports at the time (and later confirmed) say he hit the woman and threw her into a bathtub. He then continued assaulting her, eventually throwing her on a couch covered in assault rifles. She at that time began begging for her life before police arrived.

Read an early description of the event RIGHT HERE 

Yet in spite of all this, the Panthers haven't done anything to Hardy. He played in the season opener and was featured because he painted his face before running out on the field. He is preparing to play in game 2 and in light of the events this week, all the Panthers can say is they are waiting for the legal process to play out.

What? He's already been convicted.

Here is the spin from Carolina, where more has been made of owner Jerry Richardson's tearful statement that he's built an "Organization of Integrity". Yet it doesn't answer any of the questions.

Here is the spin in Charlotte on this issue from WSOC-TV:



Sorry guys, this doesn't justify anything--

How Hardy plays in light of what happened with Rice is mystifying. And yet nobody is paying any attention to it. Rice grabs the headlines because of the video and yet this case is equally messed up. If the NFL wants to be taken seriously (which we wonder about), Hardy needs to be sat down.

ESPN's Steve Delsohn takes a much deeper and more even look at what actually happened. Watch it and then you'll understand why the message here is so mixed:

ESPN: Rice Told Goodell He Hit Fiancee In June

((HT: ESPN))

Which would immediately contradict the interview he gave Norah O'Donnell Tuesday night for CBS.

Which would NOT be good...

Here's Don Van Natta with John Anderson


Former FBI chief Robert Mueller is now leading an independent inquiry of how the Rice situation has been handled to date overseen by New York Giants owner John Mara and Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney.

No word on a timetable for the investigation to be completed, but it does appear that Ray Rice is going to appeal his suspension early next week. The HQ figures that Rice's legal team will argue that the suspension is a direct violation of the NFL by-laws that state the Commissioner can not suspend someone for the same violation twice.

Meanwhile, CBS Sports James Brown got to ask Ravens owner Steve Biscioti about the surveillance tape as well...

Your Daily Keith Olbermann Rant On Roger Goodell

((HT: ESPN))

And it's worth your time on how the NFL Commissioner should now just give up on the idea of resigning and should just be fired


Two in a row...

Wanna go for three...???

Oh Boy!: AP Reports Law Enforcement Documents Sending Rice Tape to NFL

((ht: associatedpress.org))

Oh geez!

The Associated Press reported late Wednesday afternoon that a law enforcement official claims he sent a video of the Ray Rice incident with his wife in the New Jersey Casino elevator back in April.

The source played a voicemail from an NFL office phone number confirming they got the video, thanking law enforcement and stating "You're right, it's terrible".

The same source did tell the AP they "technically" weren't authorized to share the video and couldn't confirm if anyone else had actually seen it.

The source, who isn't named in the story, said he sent a DVD copy of the video and included his contact info. (Which wouldn't make him much of a secret to the NFL, ya think?)

Goodell has repeatedly denied he or anyone else in his office were aware of the video.

We thinks someone or several someone's got some splainin' to do...(starting with you Jolly Roger)

Roger Goodell: Calls For His Head Increasing Fast (UPDATED)

((Ed Note--This was written before the breaking news late Wednesday that Law Enforcement officials tell the Associated Press they sent the NFL a copy of the video in question back in April. Source is not yet apparent, but this does not look good))

So, we can now add the National Organization for Women to the list of outside the NFL groups and writers calling for the resignation of NFL commissioner Roger Goodell in the wake of the Ray Rice scandal.

And they make a fairly good argument quite honestly.

The group (NOW) issued a press release on their website stalking about the issues currently facing the league.

---The arrest of 49ers DT Ray McDonald who is playing while facing domestic violence charges.
---Greg Hardy of the Panthers, who is playing after being convicted of choking his ex-girlfriend and threatening to kill her
--The latest circus surrounding Cowboys owner Jerry Jones who is being accused of sexually assaulting a woman.

NOW says "The only workable solution is for Roger Goodell to resign, and for his successor to appoint an independent investigator with full authority to gather factual data about domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking within the NFL community and to recommend real and lasting reforms."

Read the entire release from NOW RIGHT HERE

Multiple Sports columnists in TV, Newspaper and on the web have been highly critical of the commissioner who essentially has pled innocence to knowing about the TMZ/Casino elevator tape showing Ray Race sucker punching his now wife Janay.

We won't get to the tape anymore, because the story is now what did the NFL know? And did they just pretend this issue would go away?

For their part, the NFL Owners have come out and said Goodell is safe. But how will they react the next time a big issue comes up?

Everyone brings up the line Goodell used on the New Orleans Saints last year "Ignorance of what's going on within your organization is no excuse". How does he stand now issuing the same line?

Not well. In the grand scheme of things, yeah, sure, most people are appalled about what happened with the Rice incident and they should be. And you can argue there's a segment of the population that is tired of Athletes, mostly pros, getting preferential treatment when they do something stupid. Which happens in the NFL, a lot.

But to make the argument there's an overwhelming public outcry is probably an overstatement. The guy giving up 6-months of pay for seasons tickets doesn't care as long as his team wins. And as long as the TV ratings continue skyrocketing while the revenue pot grows every year, the league won't be in a hurry to do something drastic.

That being said, to a lot of people who do pay attention to such things, they (The NFL) are running out of "Get out of Jail Free" cards. Right, wrong or otherwise, the perception is they have a crime problem and now are willing to overlook things.

At some point, maybe not today, but soon...it's going to catch up to them.

((NOTE--The Ravens, albeit a little late, admitted on Tuesday that they made a big mistake not pursuing the video harder than they did and taking Rice at his word. Again, it's late, but at least the team and owner Steve Bisciotti are willing to fess up to it. Still waiting on you NFL...))

In case you missed it, here again is the Jolly Roger defending himself by pleading ignorance on the CBS Morning show...who in a fortuitous bit of timing, just happen to start broadcasting Thursday night NFL games this week, with the now Rice-less Ravens playing.

Roger Goodell Speaks For The First Time

((HT: CBS News))

Norah O'Donnell got the chance to sit down with Commissioner Roger Goodell in his first interview since the Ray Rice fiasco has gone full blown-go boom. The HQ suspects that this is part of the "Thursday Night Football" NFL-CBS happy family package.

Make of this what you will...


As we suspected...

Another Example Of Keith Olbermann At His Best

((HT: ESPN))

When Keith Olbermann is allowed to blend his thoughts together long-form, it is a shining example as what opinion can give us...

Today can be added to the file in his opinions on the Ray Rice release and suspension


Told you...

Developing: NFL Radically Changes Domestic Violence Suspension Policy

Well, they may be a bit slow, but it appears the NFL was listening to the public confusion over the way the handled the Ray Rice domestic violence incident.

In a surprise announcement Thursday afternoon, the league said from this day forward, the penalty for any player, coach, owner or member of an NFL Organization convicted of domestic violence charges would be 6 games for the 1st offense, a lifetime ban for a second.

(It should be noted, per ESPN's Jane McManus-- there is a clause allowing a player to be reinstated, though that verbiage has yet to made specific)

The move comes after the league took a tremendous P.R hit for the way they handled the charges against Baltimore Ravens Running Back Ray Rice.

Rice was caught on video dragging his unconscious fiancee' (now wife) out of an elevator after knocking her out with a punch.

Rice received a 2-game suspension.

It appears the contrite Jolly Roger (NFL Prez Goodell) apologized for the way it was handled telling the leagues owners "I didn't get it right"

From Domestic Violence advocacy groups to U.S Senators and the public at large, the NFL found itself on the wrong side of the fence here. Particularly after doling out lengthier suspensions for performance enhancing drugs and other various minor offenses.

You can read Goodell's letter to league owners on ESPN reporter Adam Schefter's Facebook page.

Follow the link HERE

Yeah...

We, along with most of you await the first test of this new policy. But we acknowledge the NFL fessing up to the mistake and being proactive in trying to do something about the issue.

Goodell Defends League Stance On Ray Rice

((HT: NFL/ESPN))

The Commissioner of the National Football League was pinned into a scrum at the NFL Hall of Fame weekend and was asked about the action the league took involving the 2-game suspension of Ravens running back Ray Rice.

See if you believe his answer


So, dear reader/watcher/listener...

What say you...???
Do you agree or disagree with the Commish...???

Ray Rice Had A Presser: Believe At Your Own Peril, Deford Goes After Goodell's Handling Of It

((HT: CSNBaltimore.com))

Here's his sound bite on how he will be an advocate on domestic violence issues with his wife, Janay...


If this had come sooner, and not in the pee-ahr dumpster fire that is the Baltimore Ravens, there might be a little more credibility here. But the HQ is not really holding its breath on this one...

The greatest hits:

He apologized to his wife

He claimed that he did not have a domestic violence issue before February

He would not go into detail as to what actually went down in the elevator in the moments before the security camera video picks up the two of them pouring out of the elevator

He apologized to any woman who has faced a violent situation

He would not have appealed the suspension- no matter how long it was

But Frank Deford of NPR's "Morning Edition" brought up an interesting tack on the future of NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell- basically asking for his head- in his Wednesday commentary.

In part:

Goodell's sideswipe of a punishment to Ray Rice indicates, if nothing else, a cultural ignorance on his part. Remember, this is the businessman who is widely compared to a tobacco executive for so long procrastinating, denying the effects of obvious occupational concussions, a promoter who hanged a good health of his fungible players, even now wants more Thursday games and a longer regular-season schedule. But the NFL is the biggest boon this side of the Internet, so Goodell is cocooned by his ever-richer owners and a phalanx of admiring football reporters. The networks, his breathless partners, are simply bootlickers. The exalted NFL so needs a rector, a magistrate who comes to the game, not from within it. It needs a leader of grace and vision. More and more, Roger Goodell just looks like a slick, selling us 76 trombones.

Listen to it all here