Ray Rice released from Ravens after elevator video shows KO punch

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Ray Rice was released by the Baltimore Ravens on Monday, hours after a video that appears to show the running back knocking out his then-fiancé with one punch while the two argued inside an elevator at an Atlantic City hotel in February was released on the website TMZ.com on Monday morning. "The #Ravens have terminated RB Ray Rice's contract this afternoon," the team wrote on its verified Twitter account Monday afternoon. The new video shows a man identified by TMZ as Rice entering the elevator with a woman identified as Janay Palmer, now Rice's wife. Once inside the elevator, the couple begins arguing. Rice initially seems to slap Palmer, who then starts toward the star Ravens player. Rice follows by striking Palmer with his left hand. She crumples to the ground, hitting her head on the elevator hand rail, which seems to knock her unconscious. When the door opens, Rice drags her from the elevator. There is no sound on the video. Previously released surveillance video showed Rice dragging Palmer out of the elevator during the Feb. 15 altercation inside the Revel Hotel and Casino. The NFL, which issued a two-game suspension to Rice that was roundly criticized for not sending a strong enough message against domestic violence, said in a statement shortly after Monday's video release that league officials did not see the video showing Rice punching the woman while it deliberated about Rice's suspension.

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