Arbitrator to decide if Ray Rice can return to NFL
Ray Rice #27 of the Baltimore Ravens sits on the bench against the Dallas Cowboys in the first half of their preseason game at AT&T Stadium on Aug. 16, 2014 in Arlington, Texas. Credit: Getty Images / Ronald Martinez
A two-day appeal hearing for former Ravens running back Ray Rice concluded Thursday, and he will await an independent arbitrator's decision on whether he is eligible to return to the NFL.
Rice initially was suspended two games for his role in a February altercation with his then-fiancée, Janay Palmer, in the elevator of an Atlantic City casino. He was suspended indefinitely Sept. 8 after a video was posted that showed him punching her in the face.
Rice and Palmer, who are married, testified at the hearing, as did NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome and team president Dick Cass also attended. ESPN reported Thursday that Newsome testified he heard Rice tell Goodell in a June hearing that he struck Palmer in the elevator.
No one who testified Thursday would comment publicly, citing a confidentiality order. The appeal was conducted at the New York offices of former U.S. District Judge Barbara S. Jones.
NFL to review Peterson case. The NFL advised Vikings running back Adrian Peterson it will review his case for potential discipline under its personal conduct policy. He pleaded no contest Tuesday to one count of misdemeanor reckless assault in connection with disciplining his 4-year-old son in May. Using a wooden switch left marks on the boy's lower extremities.
"As part of the process, the NFL has requested that Peterson submit relevant information regarding his case and meet with designated experts who will make recommendations for the commissioner's consideration," the NFL said in a statement.
Peterson turned himself in to authorities Sept. 14, the day after TMZ Sports reported he had struck his son. He posted $15,000 bail and was released.
The Vikings deactivated Peterson for Week 2 but reinstated him for the next game. After being strongly criticized, they placed him on paid leave for an indefinite period. He has not played since.
Bob Glauber retired in 2022 after covering the NFL for nearly 40 years. He was selected in 2021 for the Bill Nunn Career Achievement Award by the Pro Football Writers of America, and is a three-time winner of the New York State Sportswriter of the Year by the National Sports Media Association. President of the PFWA for the 2018-20 seasons, he is the author of “The Forgotten First” and “Guts and Genius.”
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