Ray Rice has apologized for his arrest on assault charges, with the Baltimore Ravens running back growing emotional as he told fans that he “failed miserably” in the incident earlier this year.
Rice was caught on video on February 15 having an altercation with fiancee Janay Palmer in Atlantic City. The video showed Rice dragging an apparently unconscious Palmer from an elevator. The couple went on to marry later that month.
On Friday both Ray Rice and his wife sat on a stage at the team’s practice facility, where Rice owned up to his mistake .
“I failed miserably, but I wouldn’t call myself a failure because I’m working my way back up,” he said.
Rice was accepted into a diversion program this week and will have his charges expunged after completing it. But the running back said he still is suffering the effects of the incident.
“I know many of my supporters, sponsors, don’t want to be in partnership with me. That’s my fault,” Rice said. “I take full responsibility for that. One thing I do know is that I’m working every day to be a better father, a better husband and just a better role model.”
In remarks before his mother and his father-in-law, Ray Rice told fans that he regrets the incident.
“I want you to know I’m still the Ray Rice that you know, or used to know, or grown to love,” Rice said. “I’m still the same guy. As me and Janay wish we could take back 30 seconds of our life, we definitely sit here and tell you that we are better parents, we are better lovers and also better friends.”
Janay also spoke at the media event, saying she regretted the role she played.
“I do deeply regret the role I played in the incident that night,” she said. “But I can say that I am happy that we continue to work through it together. I love Ray, and I know that he will continue to prove himself not only to you all, but to the community, and I know he will gain your respect back in due time.”
Despite an off year in 2013, Ray Rice remains the franchise leader in total scrimmage yards and was a key part of the 2012 Super Bowl run. He is facing a likely suspension for his arrest.