Ray Rice is released by Ravens and suspended indefinitely by NFL

The Baltimore Ravens have terminated the contract of star running back Ray Rice.

The Ravens made the announcement on Twitter on Monday afternoon, hours after TMZ released a video purportedly showing the star running back punching his then-fiancee in the face in a casino elevator.

The NFL also suspended Rice indefinitely on Monday following the video’s release, according to multiple media reports. His initial two-game suspension would have ended Friday, following the Raven’s “Thursday Night Football” game.

Rice and now-wife, Janay Palmer, were arrested for assault after the February incident. A grand jury dismissed the charges against Palmer the following month. Rice was cleared of criminal wrongdoing after participating in a program for first-time offenders.

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FOR THE RECORD

Feb. 13, 2015: An earlier version of this incorrectly stated that the charges were dropped against Palmer after participating in a program for first-time offenders.

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NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell suspended Rice for two games in July. Public backlash followed, with the perception that the league had gone easy on Rice.

“We requested from law enforcement any and all information about the incident, including the video from inside the elevator,” league spokesman Brian McCarthy said Monday morning. “That video was not made available to us and no one in our office has seen it until today.”

Last week Goodell announced a new policy regarding domestic violence, with a six-game suspension for first-time offenders and a full season for second-time offenders.

Twitter: @chewkiii