Rep. Poe: Rice Punishment 'Pathetic'

Texas GOP Rep. Ted Poe, founder of the Congressional Victim’s Rights Caucus, blasted the NFL’s two-game suspension of Baltimore Ravens’ running back Ray Rice on Friday. A video emerged of Rice dragging his unconscious then-fiancee out of an elevator after allegedly assaulting her. Local prosecutors dropped assault charges under a plea deal, but Poe said the light punishment from the NFL was “pathetic.”

“The league has harsher punishments for “offenses” such as eating unapproved foods or taking fertility drugs without prior approval,” Poe noted about the sanction, which will force Rice to sit out two games. “Those who commit violence against women – even star football players – cannot get away with it. With the NFL’s decision, yet another one just did. NFL greed and stardom scores points over justice.”