Arbiter to decide soon about Goodell testimony on Ray Rice suspension
A neutral arbiter is expected to decide early next week whether NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell should testify during an appeal of Ray Rice's indefinite suspension, a person familiar with the case told The Associated Press on Thursday.
Goodell said last week he'd leave the decision to former U.S. District Judge Barbara S. Jones. She was picked by the commissioner and the players' union to hear Rice's appeal earlier this month. The hearing is tentatively set for November.
"I think Judge Jones is the one who ultimately is going to make the rules and determinations," Goodell said at the owners' meetings in New York.
The person who informed the AP of the timing spoke on condition of anonymity because details about the hearing haven't been released.
The union is appealing Rice's suspension for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy. The former Baltimore Ravens running back was suspended after video of him hitting his then-fiancee in an elevator was publicly released.
Union officials said in announcing the appeal that Goodell and his staff's testimony is a central reason why it pushed to jointly select an outside arbiter.
Goodell said in appointing Jones that she would have "our full cooperation as she hears and decides this appeal." Jones is a partner in a private law firm and is also a former Department of Justice attorney.
One month after Rice was initially suspended two games, Goodell said he didn't get things right and announced tougher penalties for future domestic violence incidents. But the penalties didn't apply to Rice. Once the video was released, the Ravens cut Rice and the league banned him indefinitely, with the league saying it considered the video new evidence.
-
Robert Kraft reportedly warned Falcons 'not to trust' Bill Belichick
2024 NFL Draft odds: Washington rumors shift Jayden Daniels' 2nd pick odds
Wager on J.J. McCarthy to go No. 4 in NFL Draft, other best bets
-
Eagles keep showing the Cowboys what 'all in' really means
2024 49ers 7-round mock draft: Will San Francisco draft Brandon Aiyuk's replacement
Stephen Jones: Cowboys holding 'money back' to save for star player extensions
-
Jets introduce new uniforms with rebranded look, paying homage to 'Sack Exchange' era
2024 NFL Draft prospect rankings: Top 100 led by Caleb Williams
2024 NFL Schedule Release: Date, when does the season start?
-
Robert Kraft reportedly warned Falcons 'not to trust' Bill Belichick
2024 NFL Draft odds: Washington rumors shift Jayden Daniels' 2nd pick odds
Wager on J.J. McCarthy to go No. 4 in NFL Draft, other best bets
-
Eagles keep showing the Cowboys what 'all in' really means
2024 49ers 7-round mock draft: Will San Francisco draft Brandon Aiyuk's replacement
Stephen Jones: Cowboys holding 'money back' to save for star player extensions
-
Jets introduce new uniforms with rebranded look, paying homage to 'Sack Exchange' era
2024 NFL Draft prospect rankings: Top 100 led by Caleb Williams
2024 NFL Schedule Release: Date, when does the season start?