The NFL players' union is appealing Ray Rice's indefinite suspension from the league, the union announced on Tuesday night.
Rice was originally suspended for two games by the league for knocking his then-fiancée out in a casino elevator in February. The NFL announced that ban in late July. When video emerged last week that showed the actual punch, the NFL suspended him indefinitely.
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The NFL Players Association (NFLPA), which appealed on behalf of Rice, cites "a lack of a fair and impartial process, including the role of the office of the Commissioner of the NFL" in its public notice of appeal.
Here's @NFLPA (players' union) statement on its appeal of Ray Rice's indefinite suspension: https://t.co/YdahoPBPFB pic.twitter.com/ZuxusNjreh— Sam Laird (@samcmlaird) September 17, 2014
The NFLPA notice also asks for a "jointly selected" arbitrator to hear Rice's case, rather than have it be handled by an arbitrator selected by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. The NFLPA instead says Goodell and his staff should be "essential witnesses" in the appeal.
The NFLPA is expected to argue Rice was punished twice for his infraction -- once when Goodell suspended him for two games, then again when Goodell suspended him indefinitely. Goodell suspended Rice indefinitely just days after announcing a new domestic violence policy that includes mandatory six-game suspensions for first-time offenders. Rice is a first-time domestic violence offender.
Accounts differ about how much Goodell and NFL staff knew about the details of Rice hitting his then-fiancée when Rice's original two-game suspension was handed down.
If the appeal fails, Rice can sue the NFL in court for his right to play in the league, according to sports law expert Michael McCann.
Goodell and company surely saw the appeal coming, but it's nonetheless another in a long line of recent PR blows to the United States' most popular sports league.
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