Ravens’ Ray Rice Apologizes For Domestic Violence: ‘My Actions Were Inexcusable’
Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice apologized Thursday for his “inexcusable” actions against then-fiance Janay Palmer that netted him a two-game suspension from the NFL. Rice was suspended after video showed him dragging his then-fiance unconscious from an elevator.
CNN reports that the NFL player stated, “You know that’s not me. You know that’s something I have to live… with the rest of my life.” Along with missing out on the first two regular season games, Rice was also fined an additional game check for “conduct detrimental to the NFL.”
Rice resolved the charges stemming from the incident with his now-wife and entered a pre-trial intervention program in May. Under the program, he won’t be prosecuted and the charges will be expunged after a year.
Rice appeared contrite about the incident and had the support of his teammates, several of whom attended the press conference at the team’s facility in Maryland. Fox Sports notes that Ray Rice added during his comments, “I’ve made the biggest mistake of my life. I take full responsibility for my actions. My wife can do no wrong. What happened that night should have never happened.”
Rice also made sure to apologize to Janay in public, something he didn’t do in May during his first news conference about the domestic violence incident. He added, “I let so many people down because of 30 seconds of my life that I know I can’t take back. The one thing I can control is being a better father and a better role model.”
Ray Rice allegedly struck Janay Palmer in an Atlantic City casino elevator the night of February 15. Video emerged days later of Rice dragging Palmer from the elevator.
The NFL’s punishment of Rice, along with that from the criminal justice system, have angered many, who called them too light. Jane McManus, an ESPNW.com columnist, asked what message the suspension sends to women, who make up 45 percent of the league’s fan base.
McManus stated that, while an NFL official assured the league doesn’t tolerate domestic violence, “today I think we’re seeing a little bit of a different message — and one that might be a lot louder.”
Fellow ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith was suspended for a week by the network after he advised women not to behave in a way that “might provoke wrong actions.” Colleague Michelle Beadle publicly shamed Smith for the comment, tweeting, “I’m now aware that I can provoke my own beating.” Smith has since apologized.
Ray Rice added to reporters Thursday that he and wife Janay are in counseling and “taking the necessary steps to move forward.” Rice added that violence “especially man on woman” is wrong and shouldn’t be “tolerated.”
[Image: New York Daily News]
