The NFL granted Ray Rice another chance, with the players union announcing Friday (Nov. 28) his suspension was “vacated immediately,” after the former Baltimore Ravens running back won his indefinite suspension appeal.

Former U.S. District Judge Barbara S. Jones, heard the appeal earlier this month soon after video of Rice punching and dragging the limp body of his wife-then fiancée became public and the NFL changed his two-game suspension ruling. Judge Jones concluded Rice did not misled NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.

The news of Rice’s reinstatement came as a great surprise to the Janay, Ray’s wife, who heard the news on Friday while spending time with family and friends, according to ESPN.

“It feels unbelievable,” Janay Rice said. “It’s a relief. We’ve been telling the same story for months and we always had faith that we’d done the right thing. Everyone deserves a second chance. We’re excited about what the future will bring.”

Rice is now eligible to play for any NFL team. – Dominique Zonyeè