NFL COMMISSIONER ROGER GOODELL insists that his two-game suspension of Ravens running back Ray Rice for domestic abuse was an appropriate penalty.
The suspension was widely criticised as too lenient, but Goodell, speaking on the eve of Football Hall of Fame induction ceremonies, said he had taken Rice’s prior sterling reputation into consideration, along with the Baltimore player’s comprehensive apology for his behaviour.
“Domestic violence is not acceptable,” Goodell said. “We went through the process of evaluating whether there would be discipline.
“What’s important here is that Ray has taken responsibility for this and has been accountable for his actions.”
Rice and Janay Palmer, who is now his wife, had an altercation in an Atlantic City casino elevator in February and security video posted online by TMZ showed Rice afterwards lifting a motionless Palmer out of the elevator and onto the floor. Rice was arrested and charged with domestic violence assault.
In May, he began a one-year intervention program that allowed him to avert prosecution and avoid serving jail time. Charges against him will be expunged from his record upon successful completion of the program.
“My actions that night were totally inexcusable,” Rice said at Ravens training camp on Thursday. “I made the biggest mistake of my life. “Violence of any kind, especially man on woman, is just not right,” Rice said.
“It shouldn’t be tolerated. It’s not right for society no matter what. That’s something I’ll stand by and I have to pay for that.”
Goodell said the two-game ban was consistent with other punishments handed down by the league.
“It’s important to understand this is a young man who made a terrible mistake,” Goodell said. “We’re very confident that this young man understands what he needs to do to move forward.
“Ray Rice did not have another incident. We take that into account. When someone has a first offence, and has a strong background… we take that into account and when there’s a pattern we take that into account.”
Goodell said he had talked with both Rice and his wife before deciding on the penalty. “I had the opportunity to hear from Ray, to hear from his wife and other people and I took all that into account,” he said.
What an iconic period of football it was in 98. Some proper player’s. Zidane Rivaldo Carlos Del Piero Ronaldo Bergkamp etc. Class.
@The Egyptian Kinggggggg: You know you’re getting old when you say shit like that.
@The Egyptian Kinggggggg: Nostalgia ain’t what it used to be.
Throwback Thursday. World Cup 98 had some great moments. The Bergkamp goal vs Argentina, the Tartan Army on tour, a young Michael Owen, even the nike advert with the Brazilian team in the airport. Football seemed to have much more about it back then but maybe that was just looking at it through a childs eyes.
One man‘s iconic is another man‘s gaudy tat.
There are only two “Iconic” football boots.
Adidas World Cup and Puma Kings.
@Ted Logan: And the mouldy version of the World Cups – Copa Mundial. Summer’s slippers.
@Ted Logan: Absolutely.
@Ted Logan: A pure GAA lad!
Ronaldo’s were certainly iconic back then. As a young lad I loved nothing better than to walk into Champion Sports and have a gawk at the latest boots. However I soon realised no matter how many grooves Adidas added to their newest Preds, they still wouldn’t help me hit a barn door.
270s are unreal