Ray Rice, Janay Palmer Elevator Incident: Celebrities React On Twitter To New Graphic VIDEO Of Baltimore Ravens Player's Assault
UPDATE: Ray Rice was released from the Baltimore Ravens after the domestic violence video leaked on Monday.
A graphic new video of Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice hitting his wife in February emerged on Monday.
TMZ published the clip showing the athlete in an elevator at Atlantic City's Revel Hotel and Casino with Janay Palmer, who was his fiancée at the time. The two appeared to be arguing before Rice, 27, hit her and knocked her out. Palmer fell unconscious and Rice dragged her body out when the elevator opened. The NFL has denied having prior knowledge of the latest footage.
"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 spokesperson told TMZ.
Several public figures took to Twitter to express their disgust with the new leaked video and urged for a bigger penalty.
Connecticut’s U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal tweeted: “To watch the footage of Ray Rice & maintain only a 2-game suspension calls @NFLcommish’s judgement into question.”
Actor Seth Rogen said: "I don't know much about football, but I know that Ray Rice is a piece of garbage who shouldn't be allowed to play it professionally anymore."
Country music star Chely Wright wrote: “I just saw the video of Ray Rice knocking his wife unconscious with his fist. The @nfl needs to readdress this issue. #DomesticViolence.”
Professional rugby player Jebb Sinclair said: “Just saw the Ray Rice clip. People talking longer suspension are idiots. Guy should go to prison.”
Comedian Josh Wolf agrees: “The question isn't how did Ray Rice not get a longer suspension, the question is how is he not in jail? #brutal #fail.”
Initial footage of the incident only showed the aftermath from outside of the elevator. In March, the football player faced charges of aggravated assault. However, Palmer's refusal to testify against Rice led to court-supervised counseling. Rice was also suspended for two games by N.F.L. Commissioner Roger Goodell. He and Palmer wed one month after the incident.
(Warning: The video below of the incident is graphic.)
