Ray Rice's Appeal Hearing Set To Begin Wednesday
ROB MAADDI, AP Pro Football Writer
Ray Rice's appeal hearing begins Wednesday in New York, nearly two months after the former Pro Bowl running back was suspended indefinitely by the NFL and released by the Baltimore Ravens.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, league security chief Jeffery Miller, Ravens President Dick Cass and Rice are among the key witnesses expected to testify in the two-day hearing. Rice's wife, Janay, might testify.
Rice was suspended indefinitely Sept. 8 for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy after a video of him hitting his then-fiancee was released publicly. Goodell originally had suspended the running back for two games. The incident occurred inside an elevator at an Atlantic City casino. The couple married a month later.
The league considered the video to be new evidence, giving Goodell the authority to amend Rice's suspension. But Rice's attorneys will argue he should not be punished twice, citing Article 46 of the collective bargaining agreement.
Former U.S. District Judge Barbara S. Jones is the neutral arbiter selected to hear the appeal. Jones was jointly picked by the commissioner and the players' union to hear the appeal. It's uncertain how long Jones will take to make a decision.
Rice is seeking immediate reinstatement, though it's unlikely a team would sign him this season. Rice has also filed a separate wrongful termination grievance against the Ravens.
Goodell still could avoid testifying if the league and Rice reach a last-minute settlement.
___
AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL
___
Rob Maaddi can be reached on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ap_robmaaddi
(© Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)