Report: NFL were sent Ray Rice video

The NFL were sent the video of former Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice striking his wife in an Atlantic City hotel before its release online on Monday, according to a report.

A law enforcement official claims that he handed a copy of the CCTV footage that shows the 27-year-old punching his then-fiancee to the league three months ago, which culminated in Rice's indefinite suspension by the NFL and release by the Ravens.

A report from The AP also alleges that the official also had a recording of an NFL executive declaring their appreciation for the evidence and then saying: "You're right. It's terrible."

The NFL announced that they hadn't seen the footage of Rice striking his wife until it was released on Monday by TMZ.