Ray Rice filing grievance against Ravens for dismissal, per report
In the wake of the outrage come the lawyers. Pro Football Talk is reporting that former Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice has filed a grievance against the team for cutting him in September.
First, a refresher: In February, Rice got into an altercation with his then-fiancee (now wife) in an Atlantic City elevator, striking her and knocking her unconscious. He was suspended for two games by the NFL in July; two months later, when tape of the actual striking surfaced, Rice was suspended indefinitely by the league and cut by the Ravens.
Now, Rice is apparently protesting the Ravens’ decision to cut him, on the basis that the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement only permits for one punishment per infraction. This is not an insignifcant issue; while this puts the NFL Players’ Association in the position of having to defend someone whose conduct was reprehensible, the larger point stands. If the NFL and teams can continue to double-dip in terms of punishment based on this precedent, the system is open to abuse.
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The NFL is already potentially close to reinstating Rice; his attorneys have contended that since commissioner Roger Goodell knew of the existence of the incriminating videotape, Rice should not be doubly punished for the same offense just because of public outrage. The hearing against the NFL is scheduled for Nov. 5 and 6. If successful in his grievances, Rice would be entitled to $3.52 million from the Ravens.
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Jay Busbee is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Contact him at [email protected] or find him on Twitter.
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