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AP Newsbreak: Source says Rice video sent to NFL (in April)

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[h=1]AP Newsbreak: Source says Rice video sent to NFL[/h]A law enforcement official says he sent a video of Ray Rice punching his then-fiancee to an NFL executive five months ago, while Commissioner Roger Goddell has insisted the league didn't see the violent images until this week.

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. —

A law enforcement official says he sent a video of Ray Rice punching his then-fiancee to an NFL executive five months ago, while Commissioner Roger Goddell has insisted the league didn't see the violent images until this week.
The person played The Associated Press a 12-second voicemail from an NFL office number on April 9 confirming the video arrived. A female voice expresses thanks and says: "You're right. It's terrible."
The law enforcement official, speaking to the AP on condition of anonymity because of the ongoing investigation, says he had no further communication with any NFL employee and can't confirm anyone watched the video. The person said he was unauthorized to release the video but shared it unsolicited, because he wanted the NFL to have it before deciding on Rice's punishment.

AP Newsbreak: Source says Rice video sent to NFL | Seahawks | The Seattle Times

Let the caca hit the aerator. This should be fun.
 
I wonder how far up it goes before someone takes the fall.
 
Interesting. Lots of anonymity in that story.

Why is nobody outraged that the state of NJ knew what happened and let him off with "intervention"? The NFL isn't the police or the justice system.

Interesting too that this is all keeping the Revel in the news one week after it closed.
 
Gooddell is about to loose his job over this.
 
This seems to lend support to the idea that Rice was suspended not because the NFL was outraged at domestic violence, but rather because the public was outraged and demanded it. If true, Goodell's career is really going to be in jeopardy. In a press conference Harbaugh denied any knowledge of the tape so I wonder what is really going on.
 
Gooddell is about to loose his job over this.

He bloody well should. I won't, however, put money on it. And if he does, would the assumption be then that no one else in NFL viewed the video 5 months ago? Not likely. How many others and who else has been sitting on the information?
 
Gooddell is about to loose his job over this.

Could be.

I suspect that he didn't have much choice but to allow Baltimore and the NFLPA to act on the matter first so I'm not going to hammer him right off.
 
This just keeps getting better and better.
 
One anonymous LEO official sent the video (unauthorized?) to one anonymous NFL official. What "ongoing investigation" is involved? It is my understanding that this past domestic violence event has been resolved by the NJ justice system. What is apparent is that the NFL will do as little as possible to disrupt its revenue stream and will act only if it is deemed to be a financial benefit to do so. If convicted felons are permitted to play in the NFL then why not those given PBJ deals for lessor offenses? After announcing an "official" NFL policy of a six game suspension for a domestic violence first offense we see that policy ignored due to "public outcry" in this (and only this?) case.
 
He bloody well should. I won't, however, put money on it. And if he does, would the assumption be then that no one else in NFL viewed the video 5 months ago? Not likely. How many others and who else has been sitting on the information?

Just curious - on what grounds would/should he lose his job? I keep seeing that but I'm trying to understand why. And who can fire him?
 
Just curious - on what grounds would/should he lose his job? I keep seeing that but I'm trying to understand why. And who can fire him?

If I am not mistaken the NFL team owners can fire Goddell. If his is fired it will be because it's best for business. NFL team owners are in it for business first and foremost. Goddell's future will be a business decision and will have IMHO little to nothing to do with thuggish behavior or battering women. If Goddell could skate publicly it wouldn't even be an issue. It is not all about doing the right. I really don't believe it is.

Having said that they'll have to trump up reasons and they will if it comes to that. If he leaves he will likely "resign" and "take one for the team".
 
If I am not mistaken the NFL team owners can fire Goddell. If his is fired it will be because it's best for business. NFL team owners are in it for business first and foremost. Goddell's future will be a business decision and will have IMHO little to nothing to do with thuggish behavior or battering women. If Goddell could skate publicly it wouldn't even be an issue. It is not all about doing the right. I really don't believe it is.

Having said that they'll have to trump up reasons and they will if it comes to that. If he leaves he will likely "resign" and "take one for the team".

I think if anything, he'll resign. NOW is calling for his resignation now too. I'm not sure why that is. I still don't know when he became responsible for domestic violence in this country.
 
Just curious - on what grounds would/should he lose his job? I keep seeing that but I'm trying to understand why. And who can fire him?

Greetings, tres borrachos. :2wave:

I was discussing the Rice thing today with a friend, and I was told that an NFL team can get rid of anyone they like, and the contract that was signed is meaningless. When I questioned how a signed contract isn't a legal document, I was asked why I thought most players demand the bulk of their money up front - they know how the "cookie crumbles." When I argued that it didn't seem fair to the owners, since a player can get hurt or die without playing any games for the money he has already received, I was told that's just how it's done.

I still don't believe it. Could that be true, or was I just being razzed? :shock:
 
I still don't know when he became responsible for domestic violence in this country.

The moment he swept it under the rug, if he saw the video and didn't merely go off the charges and resolution.
 
Greetings, tres borrachos. :2wave:

I was discussing the Rice thing today with a friend, and I was told that an NFL team can get rid of anyone they like, and the contract that was signed is meaningless. When I questioned how a signed contract isn't a legal document, I was asked why I thought most players demand the bulk of their money up front - they know how the "cookie crumbles." When I argued that it didn't seem fair to the owners, since a player can get hurt or die without playing any games for the money he has already received, I was told that's just how it's done.

I still don't believe it. Could that be true, or was I just being razzed? :shock:

Hi Pol! Happy Hump Day!

I don't know either? I always thought a contract was binding. Even for players, I mean. If they cut you loose, they still owe you the money. I never heard that they get it up front. When Mr. B was a pro hockey player, he sure didn't get anything up front.
 
I think if anything, he'll resign. NOW is calling for his resignation now too. I'm not sure why that is. I still don't know when he became responsible for domestic violence in this country.

He is not responsible for domestic violence, but he is a lightening rod in this particular storm. It appears - we don't know - that he screwed the pooch. You can't be America's sport and you can't have television cameras turn away from fights on the field because fighting is a bad image for a family sport and then turn around and ignore sexual abuse, drug abuse and domestic violence by your well paid and well known employees. Now, if they could ignore it they would. They have. No more.

I think it all started to change with people like Aaron Hernandez, Ben Roethlisberger and Michael Vick, to name but a few. If you want to be national sport played by well paid thugs, crazies, drug addicts and women abusers then be that and expect that. Let them fight on the field and let us watch. Let their battered wives and girl friends sit in the stands with bruises and bandages. But don't try to act like you are America's family fall pastime. Don't show America's children that "hey, if you got the bucks and the status you can get away with almost anything".

The NFL makes a lot of money. Whether you go or not, if you live in an NFL city you pay money to the NFL. It costs a small fortune to take a family to an NFL game. Look at the ad revenues from NFL games. I think a growing number of Americans are saying that they don't want to be shucked and jived.
 
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NOW is calling for his resignation now too. I'm not sure why that is.

Failed leadership in the context of a "violence against women problem" in the NFL.

NOW issued the following press release:

The NFL has lost its way. It doesn’t have a Ray Rice problem; it has a violence against women problem.
•According to FiveThirtyEight.com, the relative arrest rate of NFL players is fifty-five percent for domestic violence, and thirty-eight percent for sex offenses.
•Days after announcing his new domestic violence policy, Goodell said Ray McDonald of the San Francisco 49ers, who is facing a felony domestic violence charge, could play in the team’s season opener against the Dallas Cowboys.
•Greg Hardy is still playing for the Carolina Panthers, even after being convicted in July of choking his former girlfriend and threatening to kill her.

Goodell’s response to accusations that Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones sexually assaulted a woman has been: radio silence.

The only workable solution is for Roger Goodell to resign, and for his successor to appoint an independent investigator with full authority to gather factual data about domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking within the NFL community, and to recommend real and lasting reforms.

The NFL sets the example for college, high school, middle school and even elementary school football programs. And the example it is setting right now is simply unacceptable.

New leadership must come in with a specific charge to transform the culture of violence against women that pervades the NFL.

That’s the only way to restore honor and integrity to the country’s most lucrative and popular pastime.


NOW Calls for Roger Goodell
 
Greetings, tres borrachos. :2wave:

I was discussing the Rice thing today with a friend, and I was told that an NFL team can get rid of anyone they like, and the contract that was signed is meaningless. When I questioned how a signed contract isn't a legal document, I was asked why I thought most players demand the bulk of their money up front - they know how the "cookie crumbles." When I argued that it didn't seem fair to the owners, since a player can get hurt or die without playing any games for the money he has already received, I was told that's just how it's done.

I still don't believe it. Could that be true, or was I just being razzed? :shock:

Most professional contracts will have a morals clause that would allow the termination of the contract if the player commits any of a number of specified acts. The team can't get rid of a player who is under contract "just because". They can't even trade a player "just because".
 
Failed leadership in the context of a "violence against women problem" in the NFL.

NOW issued the following press release:

The NFL has lost its way. It doesn’t have a Ray Rice problem; it has a violence against women problem.
•According to FiveThirtyEight.com, the relative arrest rate of NFL players is fifty-five percent for domestic violence, and thirty-eight percent for sex offenses.
•Days after announcing his new domestic violence policy, Goodell said Ray McDonald of the San Francisco 49ers, who is facing a felony domestic violence charge, could play in the team’s season opener against the Dallas Cowboys.
•Greg Hardy is still playing for the Carolina Panthers, even after being convicted in July of choking his former girlfriend and threatening to kill her.

Goodell’s response to accusations that Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones sexually assaulted a woman has been: radio silence.

The only workable solution is for Roger Goodell to resign, and for his successor to appoint an independent investigator with full authority to gather factual data about domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking within the NFL community, and to recommend real and lasting reforms.

The NFL sets the example for college, high school, middle school and even elementary school football programs. And the example it is setting right now is simply unacceptable.

New leadership must come in with a specific charge to transform the culture of violence against women that pervades the NFL.

That’s the only way to restore honor and integrity to the country’s most lucrative and popular pastime.


NOW Calls for Roger Goodell

In fairness to Goodell and the players, these players are targets for all kinds of frivolous claims. I'm not saying that they're angels but in any case where a player is accused of domestic abuse, rape or assault they shouldn't be booted until the facts become clear. It's just WAY too easy for someone to get "friendly" with a 25 year old mulch-millionaire then abuse that position against them.
 
Failed leadership in the context of a "violence against women problem" in the NFL.

NOW issued the following press release:

The NFL has lost its way. It doesn’t have a Ray Rice problem; it has a violence against women problem.
•According to FiveThirtyEight.com, the relative arrest rate of NFL players is fifty-five percent for domestic violence, and thirty-eight percent for sex offenses.
•Days after announcing his new domestic violence policy, Goodell said Ray McDonald of the San Francisco 49ers, who is facing a felony domestic violence charge, could play in the team’s season opener against the Dallas Cowboys.
•Greg Hardy is still playing for the Carolina Panthers, even after being convicted in July of choking his former girlfriend and threatening to kill her.

Goodell’s response to accusations that Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones sexually assaulted a woman has been: radio silence.

The only workable solution is for Roger Goodell to resign, and for his successor to appoint an independent investigator with full authority to gather factual data about domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking within the NFL community, and to recommend real and lasting reforms.

The NFL sets the example for college, high school, middle school and even elementary school football programs. And the example it is setting right now is simply unacceptable.

New leadership must come in with a specific charge to transform the culture of violence against women that pervades the NFL.

That’s the only way to restore honor and integrity to the country’s most lucrative and popular pastime.


NOW Calls for Roger Goodell

I actually think the only workable solution is to prohibit the thugs who assault women, electrocute dogs, deal drugs, shoot themselves in the legs with illegal guns, drive drunk and kill people, and so on get punished by the justice system. It sounds like the problem is with the players.

NOW is not relevant as much as they try to be. This is a failure. Why don't they contact Janay Rice and ask her why she married the guy who abused her?

It's easy to find a scapegoat, and something tells me that someone is looking for money here - and it isn't just Janay Rice.
 
In fairness to Goodell and the players, these players are targets for all kinds of frivolous claims. I'm not saying that they're angels but in any case where a player is accused of domestic abuse, rape or assault they shouldn't be booted until the facts become clear. It's just WAY too easy for someone to get "friendly" with a 25 year old mulch-millionaire then abuse that position against them.

I have no issues with a presumption of innocence coupled with severe penalties in the face of convictions, but the press release notes that Greg Hardy was convicted and is still playing.

If I were looking into the matter, I'd like to know how the conviction and/or plea rates related to domestic violence and sex crimes stack up against national averages. If there is a statistical difference at the 90% or above confidence level, then it would be clear that a real problem exists. Addressing such a problem would almost certainly require severe punishment for players who are convicted and far better background work on prospective draft picks, among other things, e.g., training/counseling programs, etc.
 
Hi Pol! Happy Hump Day!

I don't know either? I always thought a contract was binding. Even for players, I mean. If they cut you loose, they still owe you the money. I never heard that they get it up front. When Mr. B was a pro hockey player, he sure didn't get anything up front.

There are lots of conditions in most contracts....if you breech them, they're not binding.
 
I actually think the only workable solution is to prohibit the thugs who assault women, electrocute dogs, deal drugs, shoot themselves in the legs with illegal guns, drive drunk and kill people, and so on get punished by the justice system. It sounds like the problem is with the players.

A lot more work will be required to find out the magnitude of the possible problem and design effective solutions. That the NFL reportedly had the full video months ago--something that still needs to be verified--is troubling. If that was the case, Roger Goodell is not in a position to lead such an inquiry.

NOW is not relevant as much as they try to be. This is a failure. Why don't they contact Janay Rice and ask her why she married the guy who abused her?

The issue of reducing domestic violence and sex crimes is something in which many organizations, not just NOW, have interests. It's still early, but the new information, if it s corroborated is disturbing. If it is, in fact, accurate, it is possible that the NFL's sponsors could threaten to abandon it or begin to do so. Fans, especially female fans, could also do so. Such pressure would make Goodell's position as Commissioner untenable and, if decisive action is not taken afterward, could inflict significant damage on the NFL brand. Such damage would harm the many players, coaches, officials, and others who have nothing to do with domestic abuse and sex crimes. It could also open the door for Congress or the Department of Justice to intervene forcefully e.g., appoint a special prosecutor or other official to temporarily take control of the NFL and clean things up. Already, there is some bipartisan support in Congress for Congress to act, even in the face of the many challenges the nation is currently facing.

IMO, the best approach would be for Goodell to temporarily step aside and allow an independent investigation of the matter. if he's cleared of having failed to act appropriately, he could return. Otherwise he wouldn't. His failure to do so will only invite much more pressure, risk damaging the NFL's brand, and perhaps even trigger government intervention.

Janay Rice is a victim. Victims of abuse handle things differently. Some are eager to participate in seeking punishment of their abuser. Others are scared, often rallying to the abuser, as they figure the costs/risks of turning against the abuser outweigh those of siding with him or ignoring the abuse. Some even hope to transform the abuser. Human behavior is complex and the responses vary. I certainly have no special insight into Janay Rice's position other than the position she has taken. Pushing Janay to cooperate would probably put her in an unfair and bad position.

...someone is looking for money here - and it isn't just Janay Rice.

I'm not aware of any evidence that Ms. Rice is seeking money.
 
Failed leadership in the context of a "violence against women problem" in the NFL.

NOW issued the following press release:

If I was NOW I wouldnt be 'throwing any stones.' The woman in this discussion married her abuser...after the abuse. I'm not buying into victimhood here, nor do I always in domestic abuse. Sometimes. In this case, I do not accord him all the 'power' in the relationship....she was hostile towards him as well and I have a feeling that this was not the first conflict, physical or otherwise, in their relationship.
 
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