(SportsNetwork.com) – NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell was the first witness
called in the appeal hearing for suspended running back Ray Rice and testified
for more than two hours on Wednesday, according to a report.
ESPN reported that Goodell spent most of his time under cross-examination by
outside players union attorney Jeffrey Kessler.
Rice was suspended indefinitely by the NFL on Sept 8 over a February incident
with his wife, Janay.
Video of the running back striking his then-fiancee inside an Atlantic City
casino elevator rocked the league and also led to Rice’s release by the
Baltimore Ravens on the same day he was suspended indefinitely by the NFL.
Goodell initially suspended Rice for two games, and the running back argues
the league violated labor laws by increasing his punishment after the video
surfaced.
The Rices attended the start of the two-day hearing in New York and were
photographed holding hands as they arrived. ESPN reported they are expected to
testify separately on Thursday.
