AP Reports Law Enforcement Official Says He Sent NFL The Rice Video

The day after NFL Commissioner Roger Goodall said the NFL asked for the video of Ray Rice knocking out his future wife in the elevator but never got it, the associated press is reporting A law enforcement official says he sent a copy of the video to an NFL executive three months ago.

The person played The Associated Press a 12-second voicemail from an NFL office number on April 9 confirming the video arrived. A female voice expresses thanks and says: “You’re right. It’s terrible.”

The law enforcement official, speaking to the AP on condition of anonymity because of the ongoing investigation, says he had no further communication with any NFL employee and can’t confirm anyone watched the video. The person said they were unauthorized to release the video but shared it unsolicited, because they wanted the NFL to have it before deciding on Rice’s punishment.

(...) We have no knowledge of this,” NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said in a statement. “We are not aware of anyone in our office who possessed or saw the video before it was made public on Monday. We will look into it.”

The person said he sent a DVD copy of the security camera video to an NFL office and included his contact information. He asked the AP not to release the name of the NFL executive, for fear that the information would identify the law enforcement official as the source.

The NFL has a reputation of being able to control all media, its reputation and the reputation of each team. In this Ray Rice incident they have failed miserably. This incident will always be known as the Commissioner's office's version of the butt fumble.