NFL bans the Baltimore Ravens' Ray Rice for the 2014 season's first two games, after the footballer was charged with third-degree assault on his fiancé - now wife - Janay Palmer at a hotel in Atlantic City. Rice is also penalized an additional game paycheck.

During the current off-season, Rice was caught on an elevator camera punching the face of his girlfriend, the unconscious body of whom he pulled out of the elevator. The video went viral over the Internet.

The penalty is less than expected, as Rice's team thought they would miss him for three games.

Rice is disappointed he cannot join his teammates for two games, and admits his mistake. He said he and his partner, Janay, learned from the experience and strive to be a better couple and parents.

His coach John Harbaugh said Rice has been right with everything; but made a mistake and must pay the consequence.

Commissioner Roger Goodell met Rice after the incident, and the suspension was announced on Thursday, July 24. Goodell wrote in his notice he believes the player will learn from this matter and will keep going towards a successful career as well as a healthy relationship. The commissioner expects the player to be ready to fulfill expectations.

Meanwhile, Rice's two-game suspension is viewed by some to be unpleasantly lenient.

At a news conference in May, Ray and fiancée Janay apologized to the media - she for her role in the incident, and he to his superiors. Ray did not publicly say sorry to Janay.

The weak penalty for Ray seems to imply Janay takes much of the responsibility for getting hit by the punch that knocked her down.