Ray Rice Wins Appeal, Immediately Reinstated to NFL

Running back Ray Rice has been reinstated by the NFL.

The former Baltimore Ravens star had been indefinitely suspended by the NFL after video of him assaulting his then-fiancee surfaced earlier this year, leading to his appeal of the decision.

The Ravens released Rice on September 8 after the video went public.

In explaining the decision to reinstate Rice, Judge Barbara S. Jones said:

In this arbitration, the NFL argues that Commissioner Goodell was misled when he disciplined Rice the first time. Because, after careful consideration of all of the evidence, I am not persuaded that Rice lied to, or misled, the NFL at his June interview, I find that the indefinite suspension was an abuse of discretion and must be vacated."

The NFL reacted to the decision:

We respect Judge Jones's decision to reinstate Ray Rice from his indefinite suspension for violating the league's Personal Conduct Policy in an incident of domestic violence. Ray Rice is a free agent and has been eligible to be signed by an NFL team since he was released by the Ravens. Based on Judge Jones' decision, he will be eligible to play upon signing a new contract."

Since he was let go by Baltimore, any team is now free to pursue Rice.