It doesn’t matter if the NFL should have immediately defined a hearing in the disciplinary case of Rashee Rice at the moment when he pleaded guilty to two crimes on July 17, the league and rice were unable to conclude a suspension agreement.
The League, as recently the noted by Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, proposed a suspension which would last more than half of the season. Rice’s position is that there is no precedent for this kind of punishment.
The Rice team will undoubtedly underline the fact that the league has suspended the corner half of the Brandon jets made only one match in 2023, after causing an accident at high speed. Another driver was injured in the wreck, causing broken ribs and spine surgery.
The league would probably say that there is no precedent to support a long suspension of rice, because the situation itself is unprecedented. First of all, he was running. In broad daylight on a Dallas road. Second, he caused a multi-car stack that could easily have killed someone. Third, injuries have occurred. Fourth, it was taken on video.
Then there is the fact that Rice first left the scene. Although he finally realized that he had no choice but to admit that he was driving, expect the hearing before judge Sue L. Robinson to include evidence regarding Rice’s behavior after the accident.
The Vikings receiver, Jordan Addison, who was accused of Dui and pleaded for a lesser offense accusation, recently received a suspension of three games. Yes, it is a different policy. Anyway, Rice pleaded guilty to two crimes. He will spend 30 days in prison. He should get four games, at least.
The real question is whether judge Robinson (and, on appeal, the commissioner or his representative) will ignore the fact that no one has been killed and will determine a punishment to dissuade others from playing Russian roulette with a two -ton steel machine on wheels.
Because this is what Rice did, whatever the fact that he (and those of other cars around him) were lucky.
Both parties can reach an agreement on a suspension at any time. If they don’t, an audience will occur on September 30. Rice will be available to play until the end of the case.
And, yes, the people of the League continue to be confused by the departure of the standard practice league which resolves the suspensions before week 1. Whatever the reason (s), this is not the way these situations are generally managed.
