NFLPA's DeMaurice Smith says Ray Rice video was 'jarring, disturbing'
Since the video of former Ravens running back Ray Rice striking his fiancee in an Atlantic City hotel elevator was released early Monday morning, we've heard from the NFL and the Ravens -- both entities claim to have never seen the video before TMZ released it.
Later on Monday, we finally heard from the players union as NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith told SI.com's Doug Farrar that he'll huddle with the league before deciding what to do next.
"Yes, the video is disturbing," Smith told Farrar. "As a father, as a husband -- when you see something like that, it's jarring. It's disturbing. For our union and for our players, it's one of those things where you at least try to look at something positive. And that is the reminder how unacceptable any kind of violence, especially domestic violence, should be. It has no place in our lives, and certainly in our community. And that's where we are right now."
Smith said he was on a plane early Monday morning and didn't see the video until after he landed. Later, he found out that Rice had been released. Smith said he hadn't talked to commissioner Roger Goodell at that point.
"I did hear that [Rice had been suspended], but I tend to rely on the commissioner and learning all the facts first-hand," Smith said. That's what we'll do, and once we know what those facts are, that will dictate our next steps."
Related Links
