NFL Knew About Ray Rice Video In April: AP Report

UPDATE, 5:35 PM EDT: In response to the new evidence brought forward by the AP, the NFL is claiming they had "no knowledge" of anyone in their offices receiving a copy of the video back in April. "We are not aware of anyone in our office who possesed or saw the video before it was made public on Monday," NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said via email to USA Today Sports. "We will look into it."

An unnamed law enforcement official told the AP that footage of former Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice punching his then-fiancée, Janay Palmer, was sent to an NFL executive in April. After TMZ released the video on Monday, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and other league executives have denied seeing the graphic video until this week.

In an interview with CBS Goodell told Norah O'Donnell that "no one in the NFL [saw the second video] to my knowledge."

Speaking on the condition of anonymity, the official played the AP a 12-second voicemail from a number associated with the NFL on April 9 confirming that the video was received. The message included a female voice saying, "You're right. It's terrible." The official shared the video with the NFL despite not having the authorization to do so because he wanted the NFL to have the full footage before making a ruling on Rice's punishment. Prior to the the new video's release, Goodell administered a two-game suspension for Rice.