Roger Goodell: "No One In The NFL" Viewed Ray Rice Tape

Roger Goodell did a sit-down interview with CBS's Norah O'Donnell, highlights of which aired on CBS Evening News. The NFL commissioner maintained that no one in the league, "to my knowledge," had seen the video before Monday, despite some evidence to the contrary.

Goodell did say that he "assumed" there was video from inside the elevator, and the league asked for video but was not "granted that opportunity." When asked how TMZ could acquire the footage but the NFL couldn't, Goodell said he relies on law enforcement for information, since they're the "most credible."

O'Donnell asked why the league acted forcefully only after the elevator footage surfaced, when the first video showed Rice dragging an unconscious Palmer out of the elevator and the arrest report accurately described everything that had happened. "Did you really need to see a videotape of Ray Rice punching her in the face to make this decision?" Goodell said no, blustering about how the second video was "extremely graphic" and "sickening," and not really giving an answer to O'Donnell's question.

"What does that mean that [Rice] was suspended indefinitely," O'Donnell asked. "Does that mean Ray Rice will never play in the NFL again?"

"I don't rule that out, but he would have to make sure that we are fully confident that he is addressing this issue," Goodell said. "Clearly, he has paid a price for the actions he has already taken."

[CBS]