Pro Bowl running back Ray Rice has won his appeal and been reinstated by the National Football League as of Friday, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. On Dec. 2, NFL executive vice president Troy Vincent discussed the case at a Senate hearing on domestic violence.  

Continue for updates.

Tuesday, Dec. 2

NFL Exec Troy Vincent Discusses Ray Rice Case

According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, NFL executive vice president Troy Vincent discussed Ray Rice's case during a Senate hearing on domestic violence:

Testifying before the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee on Tuesday, NFL executive V.P. of football operations Troy Vincent admitted that the NFL didn’t need to see the second Ray Rice video.

The disclosure came in response to the first question posed by the Committee after opening statements from the eight witnesses attending the hearing.  Vincent was asked why Commissioner Roger Goodell didn’t know about the second Rice video.  After providing a response that didn’t directly answer the question and being refocused by the questioner, Vincent said that the first video that was released in the aftermath of the incident revealed conduct that was “heartless, gutless, and despicable.”  Vincent then said, “I don’t think there was a need for a second video to impose proper discipline.”

And there’s another piece of the puzzle that former FBI director Robert Mueller eventually will be putting together.  At a time when most believe Goodell’s job will be in jeopardy only if the owners believe he lied about seeing the tape, Vincent has admitted that Goodell didn’t need to see the tape.

Friday, Nov. 28

Chris Canty, Scott Fujita and Torrey Smith Offer Their Thoughts on Rice

Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun has Canty's thoughts on Rice's reinstatement:

Aaron Wilson @AaronWilson_NFL

Chris Canty: 'I believe that this also presents an opportunity for the NFL and NFLPA to address the disciplinary process.'

Aaron Wilson @AaronWilson_NFL

Chris Canty: 'This process in its current form has failed the players, coaches, NFL employees and, most importantly, our fans.'

Fujita also offered his take on Twitter:

Scott Fujita @sfujita55

Yes, Judge Jones made the right decision. Yes, Ray Rice deserves a 2nd chance. And no, I won't lose a bit of sleep if he never plays again.

Smith gave his thoughts as well:

Rice Wins Reinstatement

"I would like to thank Judge Barbara Jones, the NFL Players Association, my attorneys, agents, advisors, family, friends and fans - but most importantly, my wife Janay. I made an inexcusable mistake and accept full responsibility for my actions. I am thankful that there was a proper appeals process in place to address this issue. I will continue working hard to improve myself and be the best husband, father and friend, while giving back to my community and helping others to learn from my mistakes." 

Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports provided details of Rice's case:

Mike Garafolo @MikeGarafolo

Per source, Barbara Jones wrote NFLPA "carried its burden" to demonstrate Ray Rice "did not mislead the Commissioner" during 6/16 meeting.

Mike Garafolo @MikeGarafolo

Per Barbara Jones' ruling, Janay Rice only recalled what Ray told Goodell "because she did not remember what happened in the elevator."

Pro Football Talk provided highlights of the deciding judge's ruling:

ProFootballTalk @ProFootballTalk

Potential item from Rice appeal that helps Peterson: Goodell told Rice the new domestic violence policy applies going forward, not backward.

ProFootballTalk @ProFootballTalk

"I am not persuaded that Rice lied to, or misled, the NFL at his June interview," Judge Jones in her Rice appeal ruling.

ProFootballTalk @ProFootballTalk

"I find that the indefinite suspension was an abuse of discretion and must be vacated," Judge Jones concluded in the Rice appeal.

ProFootballTalk @ProFootballTalk

"Rice had received this video in discovery during his criminal case, but the NFL never asked Rice for the second video," Judge Jones writes.

ProFootballTalk @ProFootballTalk

Informed of the Ray Rice ruling, NFLPA lawyer Jeffrey Kessler didn't need to say, "I'm doing to Disneyland!" He was already there.

ProFootballTalk @ProFootballTalk

NFL's version was that Ray Rice said he slapped Janay and "that she fell, hit her head, and knocked herself out."

ProFootballTalk @ProFootballTalk

Judge Jones rejected the NFL's "she knocked herself out" version of events based on the notes taken at the time of the June 16 hearing.

Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun reported the NFLPA's statement on the decision:

Aaron Wilson @AaronWilson_NFL

NFLPA: "This decision is a victory for a disciplinary process that is fair and transparent. This union will always stand up and fight..'

Aaron Wilson @AaronWilson_NFL

. for the due process rights of our players.'

Jason LaCanfora reported the NFL's statement on the ruling:

Albert Breer @AlbertBreer

NFL statement notes Rice was eligible to sign with anyone once released, and now "will be eligible to play upon signing a new contract."

Albert Breer @AlbertBreer

NFL: "We respect Judge Jones’s decision to reinstate Ray Rice from his indefinite suspension for violating the...Personal Conduct Policy."

Albert Breer @AlbertBreer

After announcing the new DV policy in August, "the Commissioner called Rice to ensure him that his punishment would remain unchanged."

An appeal hearing regarding Rice's indefinite suspension began in New York on Nov. 5, and league commissioner Roger Goodell was forced to testify. That served as the primary catalyst for Rice's return.

Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com reported this last Sunday that a decision on Rice's appeal would arrive within the next week.

Rice had his Baltimore Ravens contract terminated and was indefinitely suspended by the NFL in early September when video surfaced of him punching his then-fiancee and current wife Janay Palmer.

Initially suspended for just two games prior to the video surfacing, the released footage caused Rice to be ousted from football for an extended period of time. Immediately following the video's release, the NFL issued a statement to explain why its disciplinary action changed.

"We requested from law enforcement any and all information about the incident, including the video from inside the elevator," read the statement, via The Washington Post's Mark Maske. "That video was not made available to us and no one in our office has seen it until today."

CBS Sports' Pete Prisco weighed in on Rice's conduct:

Pete Prisco @PriscoCBS

Forget the NFL. How is Ray Rice not in jail?

That type of backlash is what Rice faced when TMZ Sports released the video. Even though he's been reinstated, all 32 NFL teams will likely be hesitant to bring Rice in on even a short-term contract.

For someone who had such a clean image prior to the incident, Baltimore initially gave Rice the benefit of the doubt. But once the tape came out and the brutality and intent of Rice's actions were evident, his release was immediate, and the NFL reacted swiftly, too.

In addition to perhaps not being in football shape, Rice was coming off the worst season of his career in 2013, when he averaged a meager 3.1 yards per carry.

Jason LaCanfora of CBS Sports reported that Rice might be in fantastic shape after his suspension:

Jason La Canfora @JasonLaCanfora

Ray Rice won apeal of his indefinite suspension. Reinstated immediately. We'll see if he gets signed in 2014. I'm told he's in great shape

There's a need for Rice to establish himself in a new locker room, where many players likely have lost respect for him in light of his public domestic violence saga. Clearing both physical and mental hurdles will be key in Rice's bid to return to the NFL gridiron.

Given his history of production, Rice may inevitably generate some interest from teams with dire running back situations now that he's eligible to play. But it may be difficult for Rice to convince an organization to take a chance on him due to the complicated situation created by his recent, unfortunate past.