Hope the NFL likes its bad news in waves because there's a fresh batch coming its way. Here are two stories from ESPN. We suppose neither should be terribly surprising based on what was already known, but they do each add a new layer to the stories of Adrian Peterson and Ray Rice:
Nike has terminated the contract of Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson. A spokesman for the shoe and apparel company confirmed the news Thursday. Nike suspended its contract with Peterson on Sept. 17, meaning it stopped paying him and would not consider him for use in its advertising.
Again, this was probably the logical conclusion based on Nike's action in September, but it does reinforce that everything isn't just back to "normal" now that Peterson's legal proceedings are resolved.
Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome testified under oath Thursday in the Ray Rice appeal hearing that he heard the former Baltimore running back tell NFL commissioner Roger Goodell during his June 16 disciplinary hearing that he had hit his then-fiancée in a casino hotel elevator, two sources told "Outside the Lines." … What occurred in the June 16 hearing is key to Rice's chances for reinstatement, sources said. He was suspended indefinitely Sept. 8 for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy after a video of him hitting Janay and knocking her out at an Atlantic City casino was released publicly. Goodell originally had suspended the running back for two games. Rice and the NFL Players Association contend the league's indefinite suspension constitutes an enhanced punishment for the same violation and thus violates labor law.
So yes, this is quite significant not only for Rice's future but also because it's another piece of information that seems to contradict the narrative from the league and Goodell that there was ambiguity in what had happened until video footage became available.
