Advertisement Baltimore Ravens terminate Ray Rice after new video released TMZ video shows Ray Rice punching then-fiancee Share Shares Copy Link Copy

The Baltimore Ravens terminated Ray Rice's contract Monday afternoon as a new video posted online shows Rice hitting his then-fiancee inside an Atlantic City, New Jersey, casino elevator in February.Warning: The video is graphic. (scroll down to see video) Mobile users tap here to watch the video11 Sports Director Gerry Sandusky reported that Rice's termination began to unfold early Monday morning when Ravens team owner Steve Bisciotti saw the video for the first time. Bisciotti, who usually doesn't go to the Under Armour Performance Center on Mondays, drove to the facility and called for a meeting with his senior leadership team -- President Dick Cass, general manager Ozzie Newsome, head coach John Harbaugh and Vice President Kevin Byrne.Bisciotti initiated the discussion to terminate Rice, saying he thought it was the right decision for the Ravens to make as an organization. The group quickly reached a consensus, and they called Rice to share the decision with him. Bisciotti sent this letter (tap here for mobile-friendly version) to Ravens stakeholders and sponsors on Tuesday, saying, "I am sorry we let you down."National Football League Commissioner Roger Goodell announced that based on the new video evidence that became available Monday, he has indefinitely suspended Rice.Video shows altercation in casino elevatorThe only video that had been shown until this point was what happened when the elevator doors opened into a parking garage at Revel Casino on Feb. 15.TMZ.com posted the video from inside the elevator around 4 a.m. Monday, showing Rice punching then-fiancee Janay Palmer.Inside the elevator, the video shows the couple seemingly arguing, then Rice strikes first, with Palmer hitting back. Next, the video shows Rice deliver a blow that appears to knock Palmer out cold.The punch appeared to have knocked Palmer off her feet, and viewers can see that her head hits the elevator handrail. When the door opens, Rice then drags her out into the hotel parking garage.A cleaner copy of the now infamous elevator video appears to show Janay Palmer spitting at Ray Rice just before he throws the punch that knocks her out. That detail comes from the Associated Press, which reviewed a longer version of the video, audio included. Rice and Palmer can be heard cussing at each other, and after Palmer was dragged out of the elevator, an employee of the casino can be heard to say, "She's drunk right?" And then: "No cops." Rice did not respond according to the AP's review.Rice, 27, went to court over the incident and was accepted into a diversion program. When that's completed, it could lead to the domestic violence charges against him being expunged.The NFL initially suspended Rice from two regular-season games in response to the incident. Rice was eligible to get back in action after Thursday's game against the Steelers.When asked about Thursday's game, Harbaugh said, "We've got the guys that we have, and I'm excited about our offense."Harbaugh added, "We have a football game to play Thursday night ... It will not impact this in any way. You can't allow that. We'll be ready to play Thursday night."According to TMZ Sports, an employee of Revel Casino, which closed last week, said he was working there at the time and said the NFL saw the elevator footage before imposing the two-game suspension.But the NFL said that's not true. After the video's release on Monday, NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said in a statement, "We requested from law enforcement any and all information about the incident, including the video from inside the elevator. That video was not made available to us, and no one in our office has seen it until today."A Revel Casino representative told 11 News Tuesday that it provided the video to Atlantic City police, state regulators and Rice's attorney. The representative wouldn't say if the Ravens and NFL requested it.When asked whether the team sought the video, Byrne said, "Yes, through police, prosecutors, casino and Ray's attorney. His attorney did not have the video, but had been allowed to see it. He described it to us, as did a police officer. What's amazing is that the prosecutor and the judge could look at the video and then give Ray the opportunity to have the assault removed from his record by being a good citizen for a year. Stunning. And, once, Ray was offered that, we did not continue to seek video."27930036Goodell has since apologized for what many called a slap on the wrist as punishment for Rice. Goodell created a domestic violence policy that says if a player is guilty of domestic violence, he will be suspended for six games for the first offense and face a possible life suspension for a second.The new video put the Ravens in a tough spot with few options. They took the expensive route but the fastest one to end a public relations nightmare -- but the fallout may not be over. The decision will cost the Ravens $9.5 million in salary cap room next year.Just two years ago, when the Ravens signed Rice to a big new contract, he was widely considered the team's most valuable player.Rice stays mum as wife makes statementRice has yet to make any comment on his dismissal from the team or on the video that has surfaced.However, early Tuesday morning, Palmer, who now goes by Janay Rice, released a statement on Instagram, saying, "I woke up this morning feeling like I had a horrible nightmare, feeling like I'm mourning the death of my closest friend. But to have to accept the fact that it's reality is a nightmare in itself. No one knows the pain that the media & unwanted options (sic) from the public has caused my family. To make us relive a moment in our lives that we regret everyday is a horrible thing. To take something away from the man I love that he has worked his ass off for all his life just to gain ratings is a horrific. THIS IS OUR LIFE! What don't you all get. If your intentions were to hurt us, embarrass us, make us feel alone, take all happiness away, you've succeeded on so many levels. Just know we will continue to grow & show the world what real love is! Ravensnation we love you!"On Tuesday, 11 News also reached an uncle of Ray Rice in New Rochelle, New York, who did not want to be identified. He told 11 News, "Ray is being crucified, being treated unfairly. He made a mistake but he's a good young man. I know what happened was terrible."Reaction from public mostly pure shockDuring an evening press conference after practice Monday, Harbaugh said he'll always support the Rices as a couple."I'll always stand in support of them as a couple. My hope is that they can make it work," Harbaugh said.Watch: John Harbaugh press conferenceHarbaugh said they first saw the video Monday and that "it changed things.""It's a little more challenging when you're talking about someone who's part of your family, so to speak," Harbaugh said. "When someone that you care about does wrong and is faced with the consequences of doing wrong, it's tough."Ravens great Ray Lewis, who was Rice's mentor early in his career, said he and his mother were the victims of domestic violence and that seeing the video really struck a nerve."A man should never ever put his hands on a woman. Bottom line. We can speculate about a lot of different things, but I think what we need to make sure is very clear is what we saw in this video -- him actually putting his hands on a woman -- and that's where it's personal for me," Lewis said.After Monday's practice, some of Rice's now-former teammates reacted."As bad as it is, we've still got to stick there for him as a person -- not by his actions at all. Obviously we're all disappointed by that, and that's probably a little more than we all expected," said Ravens wide receiver Torrey Smith."Domestic violence is something that's touched me in my life, and you know … it's just all very sad," said defensive end Chris Canty.Smith said that people shouldn't forget that Palmer is the true victim in the case. Smith and his wife are very good friends with her and said they're trying to support her as well.Sandi Timmins, executive director of the House of Ruth Maryland, released a statement Monday afternoon, saying, "The video from the Ray Rice elevator incident simply confirms what we already knew occurred that night. It's difficult to watch intimate partner violence as it happens. It must have been even more difficult for Janay Rice to have experienced it. One in four women will be in a physically violent intimate relationship at some point in her life, and as a community we must all have zero tolerance for it wherever it exists. We appreciate the Ravens and the NFL for taking such a strong stand against intimate partner violence today. We look forward to developing our community partnership with the Ravens and starting our work of educating both players and staff on the importance of this issue, as well as getting the message out to the larger community."Rice played college football at Rutgers University from 2005 to 2007. Rutgers head coach Kyle Flood, who was the offensive line coach for the Scarlet Knights at the time, knew Rice."Ray will always be a part of our family. The video I saw this morning was difficult to watch. As a husband and as a father, there's nothing that can justify what I saw on that video. This is a sad day for Ray and a sad day for Rutgers," Flood said.Gov. Martin O'Malley's office tweeted a statement Monday afternoon, saying, "The video released this morning of this domestic assault was horrible, shocking and reprehensible. Everyone can do more to help end the scourge of domestic violence. Please consider supporting the House of Ruth."Malaika Frazier, Palmer's former hairdresser who has met Rice, was visibly shaken."I'm not sure what happened in that elevator. It's definitely not acceptable, but I think that the community should use this as an example to make domestic violence a priority," Frazier said.Rice has played six years for the Ravens. He was the team's career leader in total scrimmage yards and ranks behind only Jamal Lewis in total yards rushing.Stay with WBALTV.com and 11 News for more details and response to the incident as information becomes available.WBAL-TV 11 Sports Director Gerry Sandusky, 11 News I-Team lead investigative reporter Jayne Miller and reporter Lowell Melser contributed to this article Mobile users tap here to see photos of Ray Rice through the years