EX-RAVENS RUNNING BACK RAY RICE CLEARED BY NFL TO PLAY AND TO BECOME A FREE AGENT

RAY RICE

Ray Rice has been reinstated to the NFL after winning his appeal, according to multiple reports.

The former Baltimore Ravens running back was suspended indefinitely by commissioner Roger Goodell in September after footage surfaced of Rice knocking his then-fiancee unconscious with a punch in an Atlantic City hotel elevator.

Judge Barbara Jones presided over the appeal. She reportedly believed Rice had been truthful in his testimony at a June meeting with the commissioner.

Rice initially received a two-game suspension from the league, but that was extended to an indefinite ban on Sept. 8, and the Ravens released the 27-year-old three-time Pro Bowler later that day. Rice and the NFL players union claimed he effectively was sentenced twice, and Jones concurred in her ruling, calling Goodell’s extension of the punishment “arbitrary.”

Under the terms of his reinstatement, Rice can sign with any team and is eligible to play immediately, though it remains to be seen if any club will be willing to deal with the PR kryptonite that Rice brings as the face of the NFL’s domestic violence problem.