TMZ to prove NFL avoided Video.

[funky141]

This witch hunt really disgusts me. Ray has been fired, and suspended. People are acting like they really care about domestic violence and acting like they are outraged and it's bull crap.

If anyone really have a rat's butt this story wouldn't be in everyone's face. Because the one we should be concerned about (Janay) is an afterthought! Showing her getting knocked the blank out ALL day long. How is that right? Everyone just wants to be apart of something. I can't wait for everyone to get off their high horse. Stations stopped showing Paul George's injury because it was bad taste, how about a woman who is being rocked by her then fiance?

The only problem with that is             before          everyone was screaming were is the video proof???

[Blackbirds Rule]

105.7 the Fan is saying there's a report that the NFL never requested the video, which is just as bad.

Yeah I think they got caught giving the benefit of the doubt to Ray and boy did it burn them badly. Ultimately the final right decision was made by the NFL and the Ravens. This story should just die now.

[Drew P]

If you are really that upset for the victim petition the Atlantic City courts ...i dont think there was anything the Ravens could legally do to avoid moral judgments in favor of the entire public. If they had cut him months ago Al Sharpton and every civil group would be screaming racism and that there was no evidence to warrant a termination...damned if they do and damned if they dont

[Blackbirds Rule]

This witch hunt really disgusts me. Ray has been fired, and suspended. People are acting like they really care about domestic violence and acting like they are outraged and it's bull crap.

If anyone really have a rat's butt this story wouldn't be in everyone's face. Because the one we should be concerned about (Janay) is an afterthought! Showing her getting knocked the blank out ALL day long. How is that right? Everyone just wants to be apart of something. I can't wait for everyone to get off their high horse. Stations stopped showing Paul George's injury because it was bad taste, how about a woman who is being rocked by her then fiance?

Yeah it was sickening. TMZ showed Tracy Morgans horific accident, Paul Walkers Fiery crash, and just about anything just to get a click. The media doesn't realize how dangerous that is. It''s too much some of the stuff they show.  Kids should not be able to see this.  They need to respect the victim. Now the NFL should have seen the video as should the Ravens. We the public should not have been privy to it. Ray and Janay have almost no shot at a regular life from now on due to all this exposure.

[Blackbirds Rule]

If you are really that upset for the victim petition the Atlantic City courts ...i dont think there was anything the Ravens could legally do to avoid moral judgments in favor of the entire public. If they had cut him months ago Al Sharpton and every civil group would be screaming racism and that there was no evidence to warrant a termination...damned if they do and damned if they dont

Al Sharpton and civil rights groups wouldn't protest the unfair treatment of a domestic violence case. The NFL players association would've stepped in and caused a ruckus until they would've been shown the video. Then it would just have gone away. Ray would've been terminated and the video would've never made it public until Ray was trying to get back into the league.

[CalvinSmoke]

Yeah it was sickening. TMZ showed Tracy Morgans horific accident, Paul Walkers Fiery crash, and just about anything just to get a click. The media doesn't realize how dangerous that is. It''s too much some of the stuff they show.  Kids should not be able to see this.  They need to respect the victim. Now the NFL should have seen the video as should the Ravens. We the public should not have been privy to it. Ray and Janay have almost no shot at a regular life from now on due to all this exposure.

Tbh I hate tmz as much as the next person, but right now ESPN is just as bad. I hate this situation. Because this outcry won't solve a thing. He's gone already but people still want someone to blame. Whatever that really means...

[RavensDE]

Let's get real for a second...

Players have done worse and gotten away with it. Bad things happen and people make mistakes. What Ray Rice did was terrible, indefensible and downright scary but without a video it's just a charge and legally it's being handled. The league makes a point to hold players to a code personal conduct but we move on. To make an analogy a guy failing a drug test goes through the drug treatment program and you don't hear about it til the second time but if a video emerged of that player doing lines with dollar bills I think we'd react more harshly. It's about the shock of the video and how bad that act really was.

Did the league and Ozzie know?

Probably. They prolly knew and given Ray Rice's record as a model citizen believed it was an isolated incident, but that if that video came out it would change things and via pr would be untenable. Time will tell if he is a good guy who lost it based with the help of drugs and alcohol or if he's a terrible guy with a pattern of behavior. (Personally I think he was on a drug that lends itself to this type of aggression).

Now What?

He's fired. He'll have at least a year off and will have to rebuild his career and image in a similar way to Mike Vick. Don't worry everyone he's being punished. If you think the law is weak here that's another discussion but this seems like a fitting punishment to me. His career will not see high warning potential again.

The Real Question

What I am most curious to see is if they stay together. Her only reason to stay at this point is if she loves him and it was a one time thing. No way she signed a pre-nump. She gets half his millions so if it's about money she's gone. If they love each other she'll stay.

[Drew P]

Al Sharpton and civil rights groups wouldn't protest the unfair treatment of a domestic violence case. The NFL players association would've stepped in and caused a ruckus until they would've been shown the video. Then it would just have gone away. Ray would've been terminated and the video would've never made it public until Ray was trying to get back into the league.

 

Don't think so as one reader already pointed out the video didnt come up until Revel closed its doors...The NFL is not affiliated with any law enforcement in any way shape or form and nor are the Ravens so legally they arent entitled to squat..The footage we seen (up until yesterday) was the same the Ravens and NFL seen up until that point.

[cobrajet]

Doesn't TMZ deserve a little blame? Everyone is crucifying Goodell and the Ravens, but TMZ only releases video when the elevator door opens, then months later releases the whole video. Just show us the damn thing in the beginning. It was all about the money with TMZ and that is why they did not release the whole video the moment they had it. I think that is even more shameful than the NFL and the Ravens not paying their ransom to see it.

[ravensfan160]

Screw Harvey Levin. I hated TMZ before this whole "Ray Rice video" and they've done nothing to change that. I find any website that peddles for clicks by preying on people's private lives and vulnerable moments disgusting. Not to mention, I'll never respect ANYONE who felt the need to release footage of Tracy Morgan's car crash earlier this year just for the sake of clicks. 

 

Chris Canty said it best tonight, that Rice video should not have been shown on TV, and I don't mean that in protecting or whitewashing Rice. Did anyone ever consider that maybe Janay, the victim that everyone wants to use, wouldn't want her assault on national TV? Who cares, doesn't matter to TMZ. And hey it worked, once again national media coverage and people sourcing them.

 

Disgusting. Revolting. Classless. This is nothing more than giving TMZ exactly what they want. As if they haven't messed with enough celebrities' lives, there was absolutely no need for them to involve themselves with this fiasco, and they're only making it worse. But hey, that's what they're best at.

Canty was really emotional over it and almost teared up. That's the sort of reaction I expected from Rice.

[Drew P]

Doesn't TMZ deserve a little blame? Everyone is crucifying Goodell and the Ravens, but TMZ only releases video when the elevator door opens, then months later releases the whole video. Just show us the damn thing in the beginning. It was all about the money with TMZ and that is why they did not release the whole video the moment they had it. I think that is even more shameful than the NFL and the Ravens not paying their ransom to see it.

 

Because they probably didnt possess it OR TMZ agreed with Revel not to show it until they folded...its not a secret the casino was floundering...

[Static]

TMZ are just scumbags in it for the money. They lied, they can't provide anything.

[K-Dog]

Okay now...

Rewind eight months.

If any one here asked Ray Rice to his face what really happened and Ray said "I pushed her and she hit her head" or " it was nothing more than a slap fight "

As WE ALL knew his character at that point in time, 90% of us would have taken his word for it and believed him.

You cant convince me otherwise.

[Tiz]

Okay now...

Rewind eight months.

If any one here asked Ray Rice to his face what really happened and Ray said "I pushed her and she hit her head" or " it was nothing more than a slap fight "

As WE ALL knew his character at that point in time, 90% of us would have taken his word for it and believed him.

You cant convince me otherwise.

Especially if she said the same thing in private.

[Blackbirds Rule]

Don't think so as one reader already pointed out the video didnt come up until Revel closed its doors...The NFL is not affiliated with any law enforcement in any way shape or form and nor are the Ravens so legally they arent entitled to squat..The footage we seen (up until yesterday) was the same the Ravens and NFL seen up until that point.

Yeah I agree what I meant by my comment was if they had access to the video what would've happened if only the NFL and Ravens had saw it instead of TMZ releasing it to the world.

[BBoogieMan]

The first question on everyone's mind: public, NFL, Ravens' brass, law enforcement, NJ prosecutors would have been: "Is there a camera in the elevator?"

 

And that question is easily answered, albeit if not by hotel officials, by looking inside. So, Goodell wants everyone to believe that he didn't inquire or did nothing to attain a copy?

 

Simply, not buying it.

[Drew P]

Yeah I agree what I meant by my comment was if they had access to the video what would've happened if only the NFL and Ravens had saw it instead of TMZ releasing it to the world.

 

I understand. That slime ball from TMZ was on the Rome show today...he is a two bit shake down artist and stated he didnt have the video "that long"...

[ravensfan160]

This whole thing was botched from the beginning by everyone involved. During that terrible press conference Ray should have been blunt about exactly what happened in the elevator because he knew a video existed. Then either the Ravens or the league should have suspended him the entire season. If they had done that Ray's career would have continued. Instead, they did what they always do. They tried to cover it up and TMZ found their dirty laundry. The cover up is what did Ray in.

[redrum52]

Time to throw on your "us against the world hat".

This should've been on since TC.  This has the potential to give this team a reason to stay focused and play pissed off.

 

I saw in another thread that the casino was shut down recently, which could explain how the tape was just now leaked.

 

Also read that the guy who released the tape was a Pittsburgh native, so take it how you want.  Doesn't matter to me as long as this team plays with some damn fire on gamedays.

[balfan23]

So, Goodell wants everyone to believe that he didn't inquire or did nothing to attain a copy?

 

Simply, not buying it.

No, the league has stated that it requested the video and they were denied it. It has also been stated that the tape was grand jury material and it would have been not only improper, but illegal for the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office to provide it to an outside/private/non law-enforcement entity. 

 

So, someone broke the law apparently by providing it to TMZ (pretty sure they aren't a law-enforcement entity) and, despite the fact that many believe that NFL is more powerful than the CIA ... it could actually be true that they were denied access. 

[PuRock]

No, the league has stated that it requested the video and they were denied it. It has also been stated that the tape was grand jury material and it would have been not only improper, but illegal for the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office to provide it to an outside/private/non law-enforcement entity. 

 

So, someone broke the law apparently by providing it to TMZ (pretty sure hey aren't a law-enforcement entity) and, despite the fact that many believe that NFL is more powerful than the CIA ... it could actually be true that they were denied access. 

 

And you have to remember too that the Rice incident wasn't the only thing the NFL had on their plate at the time.  They were dealing with a ton of issues with failed drug tests, other arrests, etc.   Along with their usual union negotiations, owner relations etc.  

 

They did their normal due diligence but didn't drop everything with all hands on deck to pursue this matter.  I know people expect the NFL to be like the KGB but c'mon its still just a private business.  

[usmccharles]

This beating a dead horse, ill make my opinion quick.  I honestly dont think the ravens or the nfl seen that part of the tape because i just dont see them believing that the tape would never surface in this day and age. 

[flynismo]

Hey I was right all along and never changed my stance that Janay was unconscious in the elevator. do I get a cookie too, or are they only reserved for the people who assumed the worst about Rice from the get go?

Some of you people are damn ridiculous. Get a life.

[The Mom Gene]

I am amazed seeing this all over the internet now. everyone claiming a cover up. They saw the tape or they ignored it etc..

Does anyone know laws anymore?

First this was still an open case. The video was evidence and with that being said the only people who were allowed access to the video are the police, prosecutors and Ray Rice/Attorney.

The NFL nor the Ravens have special legal powers to obtain the video just because Ray Rice works for them.

If the video was so easily to be obtained, why did it take TMZ almost 7 months to get it? We all know TMZ has an army of people out there to get them what they want by all means necessary. Their methods are not always ethical nor legal in how they obtain information for their stories. Is it not a coincidence that this video is just now coming out right after the casino in question closed it doors for good? Lets see you now have an employee out of a job. They do not have a fear of being fired since the casino is closed. They need money to survive until they find a new job. In steps TMZ with a nice check for the video.

There is no cover up. Everyone knew a video existed. This is no mystery. However the Ravens nor the NFL had any legal rights to the video. They did not see it. They knew about it (as so did the rest of the world) but were not allowed to view it. It was an active and open case/investigation. If the video was so easily accessed like it is being claimed now then why not on the news months ago? Why did TMZ have to pay an ex employee for it after the casino closed?

Stop with the conspiracy theories. All the Ravens and the NFL had was Rays and Janays words to go on. They did not have access to the video. Until the case was officially closed in court the evidence and video was sealed to everyone and this includes the Ravens and the NFL.

[The Mom Gene]

Yeeeup, but it makes for a boring story... Better story is a conspiracy theory.

[redrum52]

If you knew the NFL was fixed, would any of this really matter to you?

[arnie_uk]

If you knew the NFL was fixed, would any of this really matter to you?

if the nfl covered it up yes. But i don't think the did see this video.

[ludy51]

Is there anyway we can get the whole "no man should hit a women" to "no human should hit another?"

[MTRavensFan]

Well, it's 6:30 Eastern time, and TMZ has yet to "prove" anything, let alone address these baseless claims from yesterday. SMDH...

[dirtybird10]

I know people are saying that the NFL could not have seen the tape because it was part of an investigation. I get that and I am no legal expert, but hasn't it been reported that the Casino said the NFL could have had it, but never asked? I thought I remembered seeing that. I don't know, the whole thing is blowing up like crazy and seems a bit ridiculous. The end result, they got it right, and have changed their policy for future cases, but I don't see this going away until people go on the record about it.