AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) _ Maine Gov. Paul LePage says it's unconscionable for the National Football League to punish a player who was arrested for domestic violence with only a two-game suspension.
In a letter to Commissioner Roger Goodell this week, LePage said he was appalled by the slap on the wrist punishment given to the Baltimore Ravens' Ray Rice last month. Rice allegedly struck his then-fiancee, now wife, in February in Atlantic City.
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.