Ray Rice released by Ravens, suspended indefinitely by NFL after assault video surfaces

BALTIMORE (KABC) -- Ray Rice was released by the Baltimore Ravens Monday and suspended indefinitely by the NFL after video surfaced showing the running back knocking his then-fiancee unconscious in an elevator in February.

The graphic video, obtained by TMZ, shows Rice striking Janay Palmer, who is now his wife, knocking her to the ground of an Atlantic City casino elevator. TMZ said it cleaned up the video to remove reverse frames and make the time frame clearer. Previously released video from the incident had shown Rice dragging Palmer out of the elevator.

Within hours of the latest video's release, the Ravens said in a one-line statement, "The Baltimore Ravens terminated the contract of RB Ray Rice this afternoon."

Rice, who was indicted by a grand jury, entered a pretrial diversionary program, avoiding jail time.

The NFL had suspended Rice for two games in July for domestic violence, a punishment that had received widespread criticism. The NFL said it did not see the violent video before making that decision in July.

"We requested from law enforcement any and all information about the incident, including the video from inside the elevator," the NFL said in a statement Monday. "The video was not made available to us and no one in our office has seen it until today."

Revel Casino Hotel, where the fight between Rice and Palmer happened, said it released the video to police, according to ABC News.

Following criticism over Rice's two-game suspension, the NFL changed its domestic violence policy last month saying players would get six weeks of suspension for a first offense, and at least a year for a second offense.

Two major sporting goods stores and the NFL's online store have already pulled Rice's Ravens jersey.

ABC News contributed to this report.