America's National Football League player Ray Rice has won his appeal of an indefinite suspension and has been reinstated to the league, becoming eligible to sign with any NFL team.
The former Baltimore Ravens running back said in a statement that he would like to thank Judge Barbara Jones, the NFL Players Association, his attorneys, agents, advisors, family, friends and fans, but most importantly, his wife Janay Rice.
Rice also admitted that he made an inexcusable mistake and accept full responsibility for his actions, ABC News reported.
Rice got in trouble when a video showing the American footballer punching his then girlfriend Janay Palmer broke out.
Rice also said in the statement that he is thankful that there was a proper appeals process in place to address this issue. He added that he would continue working hard to improve himself and be the best husband, father and friend, while giving back to his community and helping others to learn from his mistakes.
Former U.S. District Judge Barbara S. Jones, who heard Rice's appeal earlier this month, concluded in her decision that Rice did not lie to or mislead NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.
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Jones' decision stated that in this arbitration, the NFL argues that Commissioner Goodell was misled when he disciplined Rice the first time, because, after careful consideration of all of the evidence, she is not persuaded that the American footballer lied to, or misled, the NFL at his June interview.
Jones added that she finds that the indefinite suspension was an abuse of discretion and must be vacated.