If NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell had hopes to remain out of the Ray Rice appeal, which is set for early next month, those hopes have reportedly been thrown out the window.
Roger Goodell is being forced to testify at the Ray Rice hearing by judge's ruling, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 23, 2014
This is an extremely interesting development. Goodell will have to testify to a wide range of different points as it relates to the Rice investigation.
What did he know and when did he know it?
Did anyone within the NFL (to his knowledge) see the tape of Rice beating his then fiancee Janay Rice?
How did the NFL handle the investigation behind the scenes and what was Goodell’s actual involvement in said investigation?
How exactly did Rice’s story to Goodell differ from what came out following TMZ releasing the casino elevator video?
What new evidence became available to the NFL in order for it to practically suspend Rice for a second time?
He will have to do so in court and under oath. So any information that Goodell provides that differs from the story that he has repeatedly told us publicly could force him into a precarious situation. This is the last thing the NFL wants right now, especially considering some of its dirty laundry might be brought public.
On the other hand, Goodell should be forced to testify. He was privy to information from the investigation that makes it a necessity for him to expand on those public statements he made and memos he sent to team officials involving the case. In addition to this, Goodell took part in the investigation, collaborated on both suspensions and has information that the court will deem relevant in the case.