Former Baltimore Ravens runningback Ray Rice’s domestic violence case has created a large spark of controversy about the punishments implemented on players and a greater awareness for domestic violence victims.

In February, Rice and his then-fiancé Janay Palmer had an altercation in a casino hotel elevator where Rice punched and knocked her unconscious. The security camera only had an image of Rice dragging Palmer out of the elevator, but not of the actual crime.

In July, the National Football League’s Commissioner Roger Goodell originally suspended Rice for two football games this season after he was indicted in March for a third-degree aggravated assault charge. In August, Goodell changed the NFL’s policy for domestic violence and extended Rice’s punishment to a six-game ban for the first offense after receiving criticism on his original punishment.

Last week, a new video was released by Thirty Mile Zone showing the couple in the elevator where the crime was committed. The recording shows Rice punching Palmer twice and knocked her unconscious.

The Associated Press reported that the video was sent by law enforcement and was retrieved by an NFL executive. A spokesperson for the NFL denied the allegation and said that they had not viewed the recording until it’s release on Sept. 8. Since the releasing of this video and new evidence, the Ravens immediately terminated Rice’s contract. He was also suspended “indefinitely” from the league.

Rice is not the only NFL star to be charged for domestic violence. According to Sports Illustrated, there have been six other NFL players accused of domestic violence. Only three of the six were formally charged. Most people feel that those players were given a slap on the wrist for their crimes.

Goodell has taken a lot of criticism from many people across the country because some say that his punishments do not make any sense. For example, Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel was fined $12,000 for making an obscene gesture to the Redskins’ bench on national television. Saints tight end Jimmy Graham was fined $30,000 for dunking the football. Those punishments do not match their severity at all.

Goodell is trying to mend the damage that he has caused. He has hired a committee of women to help organize and shape the league’s policies relating to domestic violence and sexual assault. They will create policies for the league and help Goodell decide on how to discipline the players. This will give women a voice in the NFL.

I think the Rice scandal has sent a wakeup call to most people about domestic violence and a message to fans that professional football players should not receive special treatment. NFL policies on domestic violence should have been strict since the very beginning. I find it hard to believe that the league did not know about this video.

If sufficient evidence is proven that Goodell and other NFL executives knew about this newly found video, they should be fired.