AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage governor has told the National Football League’s commissioner that it’s unconscionable for the league to punish Baltimore Ravens player Ray Rice with a two-game suspension for a domestic violence arrest.

LePage wrote a letter to Roger Goodell this week. The outspoken Republican says he is appalled by the slap on the wrist given last month to Rice, who struck his then-fiancee in Atlantic City, New Jersey, in February.

LePage, who was beaten by his father when he was young, has made domestic abuse prevention and awareness a priority of his administration.

He said that simply suspending players for domestic violence can send a poor message to young men that such behavior is acceptable and shows that the league “has no compassion” for the victims.

Listen to Gov. LePage: ‘Something very wrong with NFL culture’


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