Categories: Originals

At this point in time, EA Sports has done more to punish Ray Rice than authorities have

Ray Rice is being removed from Madden NFL 15 in this Friday's roster update. This comes on the heels of the Baltimore Ravens cutting Ray Rice and the NFL suspending him indefinitely due to the release of the casino video where he punched his now-wife and knocked her unconscious. So it makes sense that a player that's suspended indefinitely is being removed from the game.

This isn't the first time EA Sports has removed a player from Madden, either. They've removed Michael Vick after going to jail for dog fighting; Plaxico Burress after he went to jail for shooting himself in the leg in a New York City nightclub; and the most recent case is them removing Aaron Hernandez as he faces charges of multiple murders. That said, this is the first time a player of this prominence (in my memory at least) has been removed from the game without legal action from police or law enforcement.

Here's the facts from the prosecutor of Ray Rice's case, Jim McClain, on the harshest punishment Rice could have received from his actions, due to the law (taken from an interview with The Press of Atlantic City):

"Even if they disagree with why I did what I did, I just want people to know the decision was made after careful consideration of the law, careful consideration of the of facts, hearing the voice of the victim and considering all the parameters," he said of why he chose to speak out. "I want people to have confidence in this agency, even if they don't agree with everything we do."

The legal process played itself out to his current deal. That doesn't mean he doesn't deserve punishment from his employers, the NFL and the Baltimore Ravens. Both suspension and termination of contract are within their rights. EA removing him from their game follows what the NFL is already doing. And probably, in a year or so, he'll be in Madden NFL 16.

But isn't it telling that a player that had no legal consequences is being removed from Madden? He never did jail time. He physically assaulted his fiance and was never convicted of charges.

He's been punished more by EA Sports than he has by the law. The bodies that govern rosters in Madden are stricter than those that decide laws for domestic abuse. Ray Rice should not be in Madden NFL 15 because of his actions, but he should also be in a courtroom.

You can follow Editorial Director Lance Liebl on Twitter @Lance_GZ. Or you can email him at LLiebl@GameZone.com.

Lance Liebl

Ray. If someone asks if you are a god, you say, "yes!"

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