Rice Eligible to Sign, Wins Appeal

Friday while most people were out enjoying the sales and deals that the day after Thanksgiving brings, Ray Rice was in court receiving word on his appeal. An arbitrator overturned the NFL’s original ruling of indefinite suspension of Ray Rice.

Rice’s suspension came about because he knocked out his fiancee in an elevator altercation caught on camera at an Atlantic City hotel. Rice’s side of the story leading to the arbitration, was that he was penalized twice for the same crime. Once when he was fined by the NFL and then a second time when he was suspended indefinitely when TMZ released the actual tape of the incident occurring.

Per ESPN, “In this arbitration, the NFL argues that Commissioner Goodell was misled when he disciplined Rice the first time. Because, after careful consideration of all of the evidence, I am not persuaded that Rice lied to, or misled, the NFL at his June interview, I find that the indefinite suspension was an abuse of discretion and must be vacated,” Jones’ decision stated. Judge Jones was able to conclude that Rice did not mislead Goddell when the first video came out showing Rice dragging his then-fiancee out of the elevator and what had occurred that night and did not need to be punished a second time.

Following the overturned ruling, Rice is now eligible to sign with an NFL team as a free agent. The real question is, what team is going to want Rice? Not only will a team have to weight the baggage that comes with Rice – those who highly disagree with what transpired that night and those who shrug it off, but they have to really consider if that baggage is worth taking on for Rice’s talent. Last season what Rice’s worst statistical season in his six seasons in the NFL. Without having the ability to prove himself this season, what team will take a chance on him? I’m willing to bet the Baltimore Ravens aren’t first in line.