Ray Rice Appeal Process Begins

Ray Rice appeared for the first day of hearings Wednesday to appeal his indefinite suspension from the NFL.

Rice and his wife, Janay, arrived in midtown New York City at approximately 9:15 a.m. on Wednesday, according to USA Today, which said he did not speak with reporters other than to ask for them to give his wife space.

The NFL Players Association filed the appeal on behalf of the former Ravens running back, claiming he was punished twice for the same offense.

In July, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell suspended Rice for two games due to a Feb. 15 domestic assault involving Rice and his wife (who at the time was his fiancee). Then in September, Goodell suspended Rice from the NFL indefinitely after TMZ released footage of the incident, in which the football player could be seen assaulting her.

Judge Barbara Jones, a former U.S. District Judge who is hearing the appeal, issued a gag order, meaning none of the parties involved in the hearings Wednesday and Thursday may comment publicly on the proceedings, according to The Baltimore Sun.

Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome, Ravens President Dick Cass and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell are expected to testify, NBC Sports reported.

In addition to citing double jeopardy, the players association is expected to argue that the indefinite suspension is inconsistent with the league’s new domestic violence policy, which calls for a six-game suspension for a first offense, according to Salon.

Screenshot from Associated Press YouTube video.

Related:

• Ray Rice Set to Appeal Suspension in November
• Ray Rice to Appeal Indefinite Suspension from NFL
• Ravens Release Ray Rice After TMZ Video Released