NEW YORK — Ray Rice and wife Janay testified Thursday on the final day of a hearing in the former Baltimore Ravens running back’s appeal of his indefinite NFL suspension.
The arbitration hearing before a former federal judge will determine whether the NFL overstepped its authority in modifying Rice’s two-game suspension, making it indefinite after video of the running back hitting his wife — then his fiancée — was released by TMZ.
Rice and Janay Rice left the hearing separately about three hours apart after each testified at former U.S. District Judge Barbara S. Jones’ office.
“I can trust it’s a fair process,” said Rice’s attorney, Peter Ginsberg.
Two people familiar with the case said there’s no timetable for Jones to make her decision, though one person said she has asked the sides to submit closing briefs next week. Both spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the arbiter has told the sides not to discuss details of the private hearing.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell testified for more than two hours to start the appeal hearing Wednesday, according to one of the sources. Ray and Janay Rice attended the full hearing Wednesday.
The hearing began nearly two months after the former Pro Bowl running back was suspended indefinitely by the NFL on Sept. 8 and released by the Ravens.
League security chief Jeffery Miller and Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome also testified in the hearing. Ravens President Dick Cass, who was previously expected to testify, was not asked to take part in the hearing, one of the sources said.
The NFL players’ union said in a statement that the hearing was fair and thorough, and thanked NFL owners and officials for agreeing to use a neutral arbiter.
“The collectively bargained rights of all players must be vehemently preserved and we take that obligation seriously,” the statement said. “This appeal, presided over by a neutral arbitrator, which included a presentation of all the relevant facts, witness testimony to the truth and cross examination, is the due process that every athlete deserves.”
NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy declined comment. “We continue to respect the confidentiality order set weeks ago,” he said.
Rice’s side also is arguing that he described details of the incident to Goodell when they met in June. Goodell has called Rice’s description “ambiguous” while the player’s representatives have maintained he gave exact details.
Rice’s attorneys also say the indefinite suspension isn’t consistent with other punishments issued by Goodell in the past.
Photo via Brad Penner/USA TODAY Sports Images
