It is the video that is forcing the NFL to right a wrong.
The surveillance camera was rolling in an Atlantic City casino elevator last February when Baltimore Ravens Pro Bowl running back Ray Rice is seen punching his then-fiancée, Janay Palmer, in the face. The impact knocked her out.
Reaction to the new video was swift.
Chris Johnson, a former Ravens cornerback, played with Rice. "I can't see how a man could raise his hand to hit a woman like he hit her," he said.
Johnson's 33 year-old sister, Jennifer, was murdered by her boyfriend in Fort Worth several years ago.
"I never knew it was like that ... before my sister passed ... I wouldn't pay attention like that," he said.
But he said he is now aware how the NFL has let domestic abusers off easily. Initially, league Commissioner Roger Goodell only suspended Rice for two games.
"But since this is the first incident that you see on camera ... you have to make a strict punishment to let people know if you ever do it, you will never play in this league again — period," Johnson said.
There has been outrage — not only following the commissioner's ruling, but the fact the Baltimore Ravens praised Rice after the incident.
Ravens Coach John Harbaugh says,
"There are consequences when you make a mistake like that," Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said following the initial accusation. "I stand behind Ray. He's a heck of a guy. He's done everything right since."
Prosecutors let Rice enter a diversion program that would clear him of the aggravated assault charge once he completed it.
But all that changed with the release of the new video on Monday. The Ravens cut Rice from the team, and Goodell suspended him indefinitely.
Chris Johnson said he agrees with the harsher punishment, adding the NFL must send a strong message that domestic violence will not be condoned.
