Former judge to hear Rice appeal

Oct 2, 2014 - 5:57 PM New York, NY (SportsNetwork.com) - Former U.S. District Judge Barbara S. Jones has been appointed by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to hear the appeal filed by Ray Rice.

Goodell made the announcement Thursday after consulting with NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith.

"We are grateful to Judge Jones for taking on this role," Goodell said in a statement. "She will have our full cooperation as she hears and decides this appeal."

Rice was suspended indefinitely by Goodell on Sept. 8 for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy after a video of Rice hitting his then-fiancee in an elevator became public. Goodell had originally suspended the former Baltimore running back for two games.

Jones served in the Southern District of New York from 1996-2013. A former attorney in the Department of Justice, she is currently a partner in the law firm of Zuckerman Spaeder.