[Berman:] The fallout for Ray Rice has been fast and furious. The former Ravens running back dropped by Nike. He's also no longer in the new Madden NFL video game. The league also backpedaling under fire for how it handled the situation. The commissioner now speaking out about the ordeal, and amid calls for his resignation. Andy Scholes joins us from the CNN Center in Atlanta with more. Wow, this story really took a big turn yesterday.
[Andy Scholes, Cnn Sports Correspondent:] NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, he's facing tough questions about what the league knew about the video from inside the elevator and when. After seeing the video on TMZ on Monday, the NFL suspended Ray Rice indefinitely. People are asking, why did it take that long to seeing the video for that to happen and why did Goodell not see the video before handing down the discipline in the first place? In an interview with CBS News last night, Goodell reiterated that he nor anyone in his office saw the video.
[Roger Goodell, Nfl Commissioner:] We had not seen any videotape of what occurred in the elevator. We assumed that there was a video. We asked for video, but we were never granted that opportunity.
[Unidentified Female:] The question becomes, did the NFL drop the ball? Or was the NFL willfully ignorant about what was on this tape?
[Goodell:] Well, we certainly didn't know what was on the tape, but we have been very open and honest. And I have also, from two weeks ago, when I acknowledged it, we didn't get this right. That's my responsibility and I'm accountable for that.
[Scholes:] So, Goodell says he not only didn't see the video, he didn't know what was on it. That's pretty incredible. Goodell also said he wouldn't rule out Rice returning to football, but, quote, "We would have to be fully confident he is addressing this issue." Now, yesterday, Ray Rice texted CNN's Rachel Nichols, saying, "I'm just holding strong for my wife and kids. That's all I can do right now." Earlier in the day, Janay Rice defended his husband in an Instagram post, writing, "I woke up this morning feeling like I had a horrible nightmare, feeling like I'm mourning the death of my closest friend. But have to accept the fact that it's reality in a nightmare in itself. No one knows the pain the media and the unwanted opinions from the public has caused my family. To make us relive a moment in our lives that we regret every day is a horrible thing. This is our life. What don't you all get? If your intentions were to hurt us, embarrass us, make us feel alone, take all happiness away, you succeeded on so many levels. Just know that we will continue to grow and show the world what real love is. Ravensnation, we love you." Now, Baltimore Ravens meanwhile are no longer selling Ray Rice jerseys on their official Web site. In fact, they're planning to allow fans, guys, to trade in their old 27 jerseys for other Ravens gear. They play tomorrow night when they host the Steelers.
[Romans:] I feel like there's just as many questions, we hear Roger Goodell, we hear Norah O'Donnell asking him, you knew that he knocked her out. Why does seeing it make it any different than not seeing it? I mean, there's still that big question hanging over him, isn't there?
[Scholes:] Well, the most shocking thing in that interview to me was he said he didn't know what was on the tape. We did know what was on the tape. Ray Rice said he had punched her in the face. So, it's very confusing. Still lot of questions, as you said, Christine.
[Romans:] So interesting to hear from her, too, from Janay. You know, we've been seeing that image over and over again, to hear in her own words how she's feeling now. I'd like to actually hear more from her. Andy Scholes, thanks.
[Berman:] We have a sad end to a disturbing story out of South Carolina, and the bodies of five kids have been recovered in Alabama after authorities were led to the site by the children's father identified as Tim Jones Jr. Law enforcement officials believe the children all between the ages of 1 and 8 were killed in South Carolina but it's unclear how long ago.
[Romans:] Protesters disrupting a city council meeting in Ferguson, Missouri. The first shooting since unarmed shooting of teenager Michael Brown. With their hands in the air, demonstrators shouted "shut it down." They later voiced their doubts about the city's planned reform. It comes ahead of the planned protest this afternoon aimed at shutting down a section of Interstate 70. Organizers are demanding the governor appoint a special prosecutor to review the shooting. A shooting by Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson. Meantime, a Missouri family court judge has denied a request for the release of any of Michael Brown's juvenile record. To weather now, some violent storm left a mess across parts of the country, three inches of rain fell in Omaha, up to five inches in some areas to the North. The 911 system was down in several counties, just as the evening rush is getting under way. Strong winds toppled power lines, trees, even part of a car dealership. Ouch, look at that.
[Berman:] Oh my goodness! All right. Business and homeowners cleaning up after intense flooding in Portsmouth, Virginia, which has been hit hard the last few days. Water was rushing into buildings, faster than owners can pump it out. Cars have been abandoned after getting stuck up to the windows in water.
[Romans:] And the National Weather Service confirms yes, a tornado touched down near Green Evers, North Carolina Monday. Winds up to 115 miles an hour destroyed several homes, damaged other, flipping cars along the way. Now, despite the scare, locals who survived say they feel lucky.
[Unidentified Female:] We are blessed. It could only have been God, because they rode through and didn't get a scratch, abrasion, a cut or break, they were blessed.
[Romans:] Indra Petersons has a look at your forecast this morning. Hi, Indra.
[Indra Petersons, Ams Meteorologis:] Good morning. We talk about cold air settling in, right? So, I want to show you the country. Look at the clouds right now.
[Berman:] Forty-three? What?
[Petersons:] Thirties and 40s. Look at the difference, 83, down to the South. That's what actually looks good right now. But this is the cold air that will be making its way. Once you have that setup, by the cold air, by the warm air, you have the low pressure system. You got the cold front, the jet system, right, all the ingredients, they're there. What do we have? We have say threat for severe weather. And you can actually see, look at all the lightning already making its way into the Midwest. Chicago, heads-up. Keep in mind, a lot of rain, even flooding concerns into the Midwest today, with heavy amounts of rain, about two to four inches will be expected throughout. On top of that, of course, severe weather for Detroit, Cincinnati, even St. Louis, looking for a concern for severe weather. Even in through tomorrow, look at these major cities, guys, New York, Philadelphia, D.C., Charleston, even Charleston, so about a good 40 million people looking for that threat for severe weather. Here's the good, kind of bad side, I don't know how you look at it, we're looking at the rain moving out by the time you get to the weekend, keep in mind, behind it, since it is a strong cold front, that it's where all the cold air makes its way through. You're going to see that temperature difference. About 16 below, notice what happens in Denver, 70s quickly go to 30 below average in a couple of days. That cold air is making its way in.
[Berman:] It's coming. All right.
[Romans:] I keep saying sweater weather, sweatshirt weather. Football weather.
[Berman:] It is football weather, it smells like football. I keep saying that. You mock me. Intense fighting in Ukraine, despite a fragile cease-fire. This morning, Russia facing new consequences with its involvement. We're live on the ground right after the break.
[Romans:] New tips for you road warriors, before you get to the gate. We've all been hit with expected fees with air travel, they make you want to scream. Now, the Department of Transportation proposing a new rule requiring all airline fees be laid out before you buy the ticket. Baggage, preferred seats, priority boarding, Wi-Fi access, just some of the items that can add up in the ticket price. But the DOT proposal would require travel agents and third party Web sites to provide exact fees while you shop around for the best service. The Department of Transportation wants your input. You can submit it online through regulations.gov.