Ray Rice Released By Ravens Following New Footage
Update: Tuesday 8:50am
While the Instagram account is unconfirmed, Ray Rice's wife Janay, apparently released this statement saying, "No one knows the pain that the media and unwanted options from the public has caused my family."
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Only hours after a new video was released showing NFL star running back Ray Rice assaulting his now-wife on an elevator, the team released him.
The #Ravens have terminated RB Ray Rice's contract this afternoon.
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 8, 2014
The Tweet was sent out on the team's official Twitter at 2:18 p.m. Monday.
In addition, shortly after the Ravens released Rice, the NFL announced that he was suspended indefinitely.
The video, which was released by TMZ, shows Rice striking his now wife Janay inside an elevator, knocking her unconscious.
"It is one of the most disturbing things you will ever see," said 94WIP Morning Show host Rhea Hughes of the video, on Monday.
"TMZ probably timed this just right," said Angelo Cataldi of the 94WIP Morning Show. "They probably had this for awhile and they went, 'Let's wait for the opener and right after the first weekend, the next morning, we'll release it at four in the morning, the world will talk about.' I'll even go this far, Ray Rice should not get two games. They should tack more on now that we have more evidence. That's all I can say, because the country is going to be absolutely revolted when they see this tape."
The incident happened in February at the now-closed Revel Casino and Hotel in Atlantic City.
The video shows Rice and his wife entering the elevator engaged in some sort of disagreement. Shortly after getting on the elevator, Janay Rice lunged at Ray Rice, who swung with his left hand, knocking her to the ground. On the way down, Janay Rice appears to hit a railing inside the elevator.
When the elevator comes to a stop, Ray Rice is shown attempting to drag his limp wife out of the elevator.
"That Ray Rice video," Ike Reese said on the 94WIP Mike & Ike Show Monday. "It's one thing to imagine what might of happened in there before we know what the other videos that we had seen of him bringing her out of the elevator, it's another thing to actually see it."
"We saw everything but what happened inside the elevator, and all the sudden now we're seeing the elevator," Michael Barkann continued on the 94WIP Mike & Ike Show. "I don't get it. You know, I don't get it. But when you see Ray Rice, gives his what? Fiance, girlfriend, I don't even recall---left hook that drops her and she hits her head on the railing of the elevator on the way, it is just horrifying to watch. And then you think that he got two games and you got the Baltimore fans cheering for him upon his arrival to the field during Training Camp, the whole thing makes you sick to your stomach. And I hope now that Roger Goodell reassess the situation and says, as he should, 'I've got new information that has come to light and I did not see this and we're changing the whole thing and he can sit out the whole season.'"
Ray Rice was arrested on assault charges and was accepted into a diversion program, which could lead to the charges being dropped.
As a result, Rice was suspended for the first two games of the NFL season.
Since Rice was suspended, and drawing criticism, the NFL changed its policy on domestic-related suspensions. Moving forward, any NFL player who commits domestic abuse will be suspended six games for a first-time offense and a lifetime ban for a second offense.
Baltimore Ravens Head Coach John Harbaugh said the first time he saw the video was Monday and it changed things.
WATCH: Eyewitness News' Todd Quinones reports...
Harbaugh said shortly after seeing the video on Monday the Ravens decided to release Rice.
"When someone that you care about does wrong, you know, and is faced with the consequences of doing wrong and rightfully so, it is tough, it is hurtful, and my pain is for both of them as a couple, you know, and going forward, my hope is that they can make it work," Harbaugh said.
Ravens player Chris Canty called this a sad day.
"It was a deplorable act, no question, he made a terrible error in judgment," Canty said.
As for who has seen this video before Monday, CBS 3 Eyewitness News contacted Revel and Monday night, a spokesperson for the now-closed casino told Eyewitness News "police, prosecutors and Rice's own attorney all have copies."
The Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office had no comment.
CBS 3 Eyewitness News reporter Todd Quinones contributed to this report.
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