NFL Bylaws May Support Players Association Appeal Of Ray Rice Suspension

Despite Ray Rice’s indefensible behavior, the NFL is not legally allowed to suspend him twice for the same offense argues Levi S. Zaslow with Joseph Greenwald & Laake, PA. Rice was first penalized after the domestic abuse incident occurred in February – a two-game suspension and fines of more than $500,000. Then in September video of the incident was released and the NFL suspended Rice indefinitely. The NFL Players’ Association is appealing the ruling, claiming it amounts to double punishment,. Zaslow’s analysis finds that “common sense and basic principles of textual construction make clear that the commissioner has no power to increase discipline after final discipline is imposed.”