In light of TMZ's newly released video of RB Ray Rice striking his then-fiancee, the Ravens terminated Rice's contract, and the NFL subsequently suspended him indefinitely. BaltimoreSun.com goes with the lede, "The Ravens are standing by Ray Rice no longer." At presstime, CNN.com, ESPN.com and SI.com each featured the news of Rice being cut as the leading story on their respective websites (THE DAILY). The NFLPA, at presstime, had not commented on the Rice situation ("SportsCenter," ESPN, 9/8).
Reaction to the decisions by the Ravens and NFL came swiftly on Twitter this afternoon. NBA.com’s David Aldridge tweeted, “No one--no one--should think the Ravens are being ‘stand up guys’ by releasing Ray Rice. What did they THINK would be on the video?” Yahoo Sports’ Dan Wetzel wrote, “Told one factor was his version of what happened didn't match with video.” UPS Senior Project Lead/Sponsorships & Events J.W. Cannon tweeted, “I'm not one to usually pile on over these issues, but that Ray Rice video justifies every bit of criticism the NFL & Roger Goodell receives.” FoxSports.com's Jimmy Traina wrote, "One more time: If TMZ didn't release that video this morning, Ray Rice is playing next week, with the NFL's blessing."
