i think the circumstances here are little more cloudy than others. Ray Rice has never been in trouble with the league or the law. Up until this point his record was squeaky clean. Let's not forget that the court that actually matters (i.e. not the "public opinion" kind) felt that the case against him wasn't worth pursuing.
As somebody who has actually prosecuted a domestic violence case or two, these cases are next to impossible if you have an uncooperative victim, which many times spouses and significant others are, especially in cases where the suspect has a lot of money or influence or control over the victim.
Through a botched apology (where the wife, who shouldn't apologize for anything, did exactly that) and an apparently impassioned plea from his wife to the commissioner to spare his career. I think he deserves a second chance.
Again, money, influence, control.
you'd think the NFL would stamp harder to make it a point that this type of behavior won't be tolerated as long as you work for this league. I guess Roger Goodell had a different thought.
You know, if I recall, the Chiefs last year had a guy who killed his SO and then subsequently killed himself. There was a history of abuse prior to the murder-suicide. And it happened during the NFL season, with the suicide occurring on NFL property. You would think the league would take a harder stance towards this behavior, but they care more about their players (i.e. their money) getting hurt than innocent victims.
