Running back Ray Rice of the Baltimore Ravens has been suspended by the National Football League (NFL) on Thursday for two games following his arrest for striking fiancée.

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February 15, a video surveillance from an Atlantic City casino in New Jersey showed Rice and then-fiancée Janay Palmer having a physical altercation in the elevator which led Rice in knocking Palmer unconscious. The two were arrested and charged with simple assault.

In March 27, a jury indicted Rice on third-degree aggravated assault which could result in a possible jail sentence of three to five years. He was accepted into a diversion program in May to avoid any jail time.

The two got married on March 28 and have undergone counseling.

Rice's suspension will start August 30 and will be reinstated on September 12. He will miss the games between the Cincinnati Bengals on September 7 and the Pittsburgh Steelers on September 11. Bernard Pierce is expected to take-over his position.

Besides the suspension, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said that he will not be paid during those games and he will also be fined an additional game check "in violation of the league's Personal Conduct Policy."

Rice admitted of his wrong doing and said that "Janay and I have learned from this. We have become better as a couple and as parents."

Rice came out of Rutgers University where he played college football and was drafted by the Ravens in 2008. He is the leading rusher of the Ravens next to Jamal Lewis and second all-time for rushing touchdowns in the history of the franchise.

On July 2012, Rice signed a five-year contract with the Ravens amounting to US$ 35 million and on that season, he helped the Ravens become the American Football Conference (AFC) champions and eventually beating the San Francisco 49ers in the 47^th edition of the Super Bowl.

TagsRoger Goodell, national football league, Janay Palmer, Bernard Pierce, Jamal Lewis