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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Goodell ordered to testify in Rice hearing

News Services

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has been ordered to testify in former Ravens running back Ray Rice’s appeal hearing, according to sources with knowledge of the situation.

NFL lawyers have been resistant to having Goodell testify in the hearing, set for Nov. 5 and Nov. 6, hoping to avoid a he-said, he-said situation between the league’s top executive and the three-time Pro Bowl running back, who was suspended indefinitely by the league.

Former federal judge Barbara S. Jones, the third-party arbitrator appointed by Goodell in consultation with NFL Players Association executive director DeMaurice Smith, has decided to have Goodell testify as a witness, according to sources.

The NFL had no immediate comment, but Goodell said during the fall league meeting that whether he testified would be at the judge’s discretion.

Goodell increased Rice’s two-game suspension for violating the NFL personal-conduct policy, which stemmed from the former Ravens player’s domestic violence incident, to an indefinite suspension after a video surfaced of Rice knocking out his then-fiancee in an Atlantic City, New Jersey, casino elevator.

In a disciplinary letter to Rice, Goodell said he based the punishment on “new evidence,” and said that the video differed from Rice’s account of events. Rice will testify that he told the truth to Goodell and the Ravens, according to sources.

Rice’s representatives will argue that the NFL and the Ravens have violated Article 46 of the NFL collective bargaining agreement, which prohibits a player being punished twice for the same violation.

Rice has also filed a grievance against the Ravens, citing wrongful termination. The Ravens terminated Rice’s $35 million contract on Sept. 8, shortly before Goodell upgraded his NFL discipline.

Charles passes tests

The Chiefs insisted Wednesday that Jamaal Charles has passed a battery of tests and does not show signs of a concussion, one day after the star running back said he exhibited symptoms in last weekend’s win over San Diego.

Charles took a blow from Brandon Flowers when he dove into the end zone Sunday. He remained in the game.

Locker limited in practice

Tennessee’s Jake Locker practiced on Wednesday but his status for this weekend’s game against Houston remains unclear.

Locker left practice without stopping for his weekly meeting with the media. Coach Ken Whisenhunt says the quarterback didn’t take questions because the Titans will know more about his status today.