The reports regarding the two-game suspension to be imposed on Ravens running back Ray Rice were mostly accurate, but ultimately incomplete. The league has announced that Rice will be suspended two games and also fined an additional game check.
The decision will result in $705,0882 in lost salary for Rice. The Ravens also could try to recover $352,941 of Rice’s $15 million signing bonus, paid in 2012.
Since the Ravens play on Thursday night in Week Two, he’ll be back on Friday, September 12, before the rest of the league has played its second game.
“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,” Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a letter to Rice. “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.”
The suspension has been widely criticized as being too soft, even though the league-owned network has described the punishment as an example of the NFL’s iron fist.
That’s an unfortunate metaphor in cases of domestic violence. In this specific case, many would also say it’s inaccurate.
