Ray Rice Calls His Actions “Totally Inexcusable”

Photo Credit: Patrick Semansky/AP

Media gathered in Owings Mills, MD on Thursday afternoon, all waiting to hear from Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice.

Rice’s wife was at the Under Armour Performance Center where the Ravens practice. This time, Janay was not at the podium with Ray. Initially, Rice held something then said, “I’m going to put this down.” While it was off camera, we can assume that he was holding some kind of speech. The moment he put that down, he started speaking from the heart.

“My actions that night were totally inexcusable,” Rice said. “There are many nights that I go to bed with my wife and we still have to deal with this.” While Rice never actually said whether he punched his wife or not, he did apologize to not only his wife, but also any other victim of violence. “I let down my mother, my wife, my daughter, my wife’s parents, the city of Baltimore, and my teammates down.”

Rice admitted that his last press conference, which his wife sat by his side, was awkward. He said that was because they were still dealing with the legal side of the incident so he was unable to address everything. Rice was asked if there had been a history of domestic violence in he and Janay’s relationship. He responded by saying that the Atlantic City incident was “a one time thing.”

“I’m trying to move forward.” Rice said that reliving what happened in the Atlantic City elevator would only prevent him from progressing. He said that after he works on himself, he and his wife want to help other victims of not just domestic abuse, but any violence. “I’m not perfect, and I have a lot of things to work on.” Rice said that he wants to be an ambassador for domestic violence.

Rice realizes that this incident will live with him forever. “I’m being punished on a day-to-day basis,” he said. Rice stressed that he knows that his two-year-old daughter will grow up and Google her father. Rice also recognized that he didn’t apologize to his wife at the last press conference. While some have been questioning if Janay hit Rice first, Rice wanted people to know that wouldn’t matter. “My wife is an angel,” he said, “she can do no wrong.”

When asked about his two game suspension Rice reminded people that he had no control over the suspension, but he does have control over being a better man. Rice said that regardless of how long the suspension may have been, he was never going to appeal it. “I’m prepared for the worst,” Rice said. When Rice returns from his suspension, the Ravens will play AFC North rivals, the Cleveland Browns in Cleveland, Ohio.

When Rice left the podium, he was joined by his teammates and members of the Ravens organization. Ravens wide receiver Jacoby Jones wore a shirt that read the word “One.” At the podium, Rice said “when one goes through something, we all do.” Members of the Ravens organization have been very supported of Rice. Head coach John Harbaugh said that he was “disappointed” in Rice for his actions but was “proud” of how he’s been handling things. At an opening training camp practice at M&T Bank Stadium Monday, Rice received a standing ovation from fans.

As a lifelong Ravens fan and a Ray Rice jersey owner, a lot of people have asked me if I will continue to wear Rice’s jersey. My response is the same every time. I do not condone what Rice did, especially as a woman, but I know this incident is very uncharacteristic of him. People ask why I support him, and I say that everyone deserves a chance to prove themselves. Rice not only has to prove himself on the field, but also off the field. He is under extreme scrutiny in the public eye. There are little things Rice can do to help rehab his image. One thing is getting rid of his signature touchdown muscle flex. He does not need to draw attention to his physical strength.

After the press conference, ESPN experts Jerome Bettis and Brian Dawkins commended Rice for the way he handled the media. On social media, it seemed that people were more receptive to Rice after he actually apologized. It will be interesting to see if the public warms up to Rice if he progresses the way he says he wants to.