Ray Rice Set to Appeal NFL Suspension in Early November

Former Ravens running back Ray Rice will have the chance to appeal his indefinite suspension from the NFL during an early November hearing, for which planning is currently underway.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell suspended Rice from the NFL indefinitely in September after TMZ released footage of the football player knocking out his then-fiancee inside an elevator at Atlantic City’s Revel Casino Hotel in February.

Previously, Goodell had issued a two-game suspension in July for Rice’s violation of the league’s code of conduct in connection with the Feb. 15 assault.

The NFL Players Association, which filed the appeal on Rice’s behalf, is expected to claim “double jeopardy,” arguing that Rice was punished twice for the same offense.

The players association is also 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.

Judge Barbara Jones, a former U.S. District Judge who will be hearing the appeal, will determine this week whether Goodell will testify at the hearing, according to CBS Sports.

Her determination on Goodell may come as early as Tuesday, in advance of the Nov. 5 and 6 appeal hearing, according to NBC News.

Related:

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