Report: Roger Goodell to recuse himself from Ray Rice appeal

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell will recuse himself from hearing the appeal of former Ravens running back Ray Rice's suspension.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell will recuse himself from hearing the appeal of former Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice's suspension, reports Pro Football Talk.

According to report, Goodell "never intended" to handle the appeal and no decision has been made about who will hear the appeal.

Rice was suspended for two games in August for violation of the league's personal conduct policy after being charged with assault of his then-fiancee after an altercation in an Atlantic City casino elevator in February. 

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After a video surfaced of Rice knocking out Janay Palmer, now Rice's wife, in the elevator, the NFL suspended Rice indefinitely. 

The NFL Players Association filed an appeal on Rice's behalf, saying they did so to "protect the due process rights of all NFL players," and that the appeal is "based on supporting facts that reveal a lack of a fair and impartial process."

Rice said in July that he never planned to appeal any punishment the league handed down.

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