Ravens GM Testifies Goodell Knew Ray Rice Hit Fiance Janay Palmer

Ray Rice's suspension appeal hearing has ended, but not without more controversy to surround it. ESPN is reporting that sources have told the station's Outside The Lines program that Baltimore Ravens General Manager Ozzie Newsome - while testifying in Ray Rice's appeal in New York on Thursday - admitted that back on June 16 during the running back's disciplinary hearing, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell had heard Rice say that he had hit then-fiancé Janay Palmer.     

It's the latest news to come out of Ray Rice's appeal against his indefinite ban from the NFL that was handed down on Sept.8, after initially only being suspended for two games for his actions at the Atlantic City casino. Rice and Palmer were both present for the hearing in New York, and testified separately.  

The revelation from Newsome is important in the context of the case, as Rice and the NFL Players Association are arguing that if no new evidence was provided to the NFL, Rice was punished twice for the same crime, something not allowed under the NFL's collective bargaining agreement. Rice and his team would then argue for his reinstatement to the NFL.

Goodell, meanwhile, has said that the indefinite suspension was handed down thanks to the now-infamous video of Rice hitting Palmer providing "starkly different" evidence in the case.    

The details from Rice's appeal are still sketchy while former United States Distrcit Judge Barbara Jones deliberates on the case. She has reportedly asked for final submissions to come to her in the next week. 

With the saga nearing some sort of conclusion, it also brings speculation as to where Rice could end up playing if and when his suspension is lifted - if he ends up being picked up at all, of course - after being cut by Baltimore. CBS Baltimore believes he could end up with the Detroit Lions, Oakland Raiders, Buffalo Bills, San Diego Chargers or the New England Patriots. There are a number of teams in the NFL right now that need help at running back - both San Diego and Oakland being obvious cases - while it remains to be seen if any team will have interest in the former Raven.