Former Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice wants to be back in the National Football League. It seems as if he is trying to speed up the process. 

Rice and his wife Janay (Palmer) Rice have agreed to a joint interview with NFL investigator Robert Mueller. Their original attorney Michael Diamondstein helped them to make this decision. The will also interview with any involved in the NFLPA's investigation of the Rice domestic case. 

A date for the interviews have yet to be scheduled, as it will depend on when Rice's appeal is heard by U.S. District Judge Barbara S. Jones. Jones served in the Southern District of New York from 1996-2013. She also has been an attorney in the Department of Justice and currently is a partner in the law firm of Zuckerman Spaeder

Rice was suspended indefinitely by the NFL on Sept. 8 after a surveillance video of him hitting his then-fiance inside a casino elevator was released.

During September, the NFLPA issued the following statement (via Albert Breer):

Today, the NFL Players Association formally filed an appeal of the indefinite suspension of Ray Rice by the NFL. This action taken by our union is to protect the due process rights of all NFL players. The NFLPA appeal is based on supporting facts that reveal a lack of a fair and impartial process, including the role of the office of the Commissioner of the NFL. We have asked that a neutral and jointly selected arbitrator hear this case as the Commissioner and his staff will be essential witnesses in the proceeding and thus cannot serve as impartial arbitrators.

The three-time Pro Bowler will continue to serve his indefinite suspension while the case is being appealed.

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Evan Petzold
Evan Petzold is a Detroit-based journalist with expertise in covering the Tigers, Pistons, and Red Wings. A member of the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America (IBWAA) and Detroit Sports Broadcasters Association (DBSA), he brings a unique skill set in reporting and broadcasting to the table.