The new clip shows the full February 15, 2014 confrontation that occurred between the Baltimore Ravens running back and his then-fiancee, Janay Rice (formerly Janay Palmer).
In the footage, the pair can be seen entering the elevator and are in what appears to be a heated argument.
Ray Rice initiates contact and Janay Rice strikes back, only to be hit with a devastating punch that leaves her unconscious. Rice then drags her limp body out of the elevator, which is where the previously released footage picks up.
The NFL had originally suspended Rice from playing in the first two games of the season, but after the full video surfaced, they chose a different route and it appears he will be ‘suspended indefinitely’ from the team.
More details + the disturbing video footage below…
VIDEO: CNN – Ray Rice Cut from Baltimore Ravens After Explosive Video of Domestic Violence
The couple went on to marry and Rice received a slap on the wrist from the NFL. (He had been suspended by the league for the first two games of the season, a controversial move that led to widespread criticism and to the league re-evaluating the punishment for domestic violence cases).
The new footage, however, shows the public just how brutal the attack was ? and just how insufficient Rice’s penalty was. WARNING: The video below is disturbing and features an act of domestic violence (in other words, play at your own risk!)
VIDEO: New Surveillance Footage of Ray Rice Elevator Knockout (FULL VIDEO)
A Revel Casino employee tells TMZ that the league watched the tape of the incident and it seems hard to believe that Goodell or the Baltimore Ravens could not have seen the footage before levying the suspension.
The NFL released a statement on Monday morning saying it had not seen the footage before it was made public.
According to CNN, after public outcry over the new video footage, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell suspended running back Ray Rice indefinitely. The incident had originally led Goodell to suspend Rice for the first two games of the regular season.