Celebrity News Company TMZ has stated that the National Football League (NFL) knew that the recently surfaced Ray Rice video was in existence, but just turned a blind eye.

Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice was recently released by his team after a video surfaced that he had punched his then-fiance and now wife Janay Palmer, in an elevator.

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The shocking part of the video is that after Palmer hit the floor, Rice stood there for a moment before helping her out, showing no urgency in his actions.

Before the release of the video, NFL Commissioner, Roger Goodell, suspended Rice for only two games based on the personal conduct policy that helps control the behavior of players off the field, and preserve the league's image.

After the release, he was also suspended from the NFL indefinitely.

When the video footage came out, NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said tweeted that, "Roger Goodell announced that based on new video evidence that became available today he has indefinitely suspended Ray Rice."

However, TMZ is contesting that the "new video evidence" statement was false, and that the NFL already knew that there was video proof showing Rice's actions.

TMZ's Harvey Levin said that the prosecutors, police, and other people had this video already. However, it seemed like the NFL, "didn't want to know," according to Levin.

He plans on releasing this proof tomorrow.

Goodell has since admitted he was wrong and that he now vowed to take a tougher stance with domestic violence.

The question still arises though, if TMZ was able to get the video, why weren't the NFL or the Ravens able to?

Tagsnational football league, NFL, Baltimore Ravens, TMZ, ray rice, Janay Palmer, Proof, Roger Goodell