The Baltimore Ravens’ star running back Ray Rice has been suspended for two games by the NFL after he was arrested for aggravated assault. Watch the video above to see Ray Rice drag his unconscious wife out of the elevator.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. He Was Charged With Aggravated Assault For Knocking Out His Wife
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Rice was arrested 5 weeks ago and charged with aggravated assault when a tape surfaced showing Rice dragging his wife Janay’s unconscious body out of a casino elevator in Atlantic City, N.J after the couple got into a mutual scuffle. At the time, Janay Palmer and Rice were not yet married.
2. He Will Be Sitting Out for the First Two Games
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The NFL decided to give Rice a 2 games suspension that will put him on the sideline for divisional games against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sept. 7 and Pittsburgh Steelers on Sept. 11.
Ravens coach John Harbaugh said in an interview with the Baltimore Sun:
We said from the beginning that the circumstances would determine the consequences. There are consequences when you make a mistake like that. I stand behind Ray. He’s a heck of a guy. He’s done everything right since. He makes a mistake. He’s going to have to pay a consequence.
It’s good for kids to understand that it works that way. That’s how it works, that’s how it should be. We’ll move forward and the next guy will have to step up and Ray will be back when the time comes.”
3. He Will Lose $528,588
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Rice will be losing the checks he would get for those games that totals $470,588 along with the $58,000 fine the NFL added on for violating the league’s personal conduct policy.
4. There is a Lot of Criticism on His Punishment
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There has been a lot of criticism towards how little punishment Rice is receiving. He did not have to serve any court time or even probation, however he will be attending anger management classes regularly, according to ESPN.
The 2-game suspension is coming at a time that Justin Blackmon might be losing his career due to marijuana possession and testing positive.
Am I getting this right?
Justin Blackmon suspended indefinitely for smoking marijuana. Ray Rice suspended 2 games for assaulting his wife?
— Ken Clausen (@KClausen27) July 24, 2014
5. He Apologized to His Family and Fans Publicly
In a press conference and via twitter, Rice apologized to the league, his team, his fans kids and wife. Watch the video above to see his apology.
Rice said:
First off, I would like to apologize everyone who was affected.”
He went on to make one of the awkwardest statements under this type of situation.
With a terrible choice of words, Rice said:
I won’t call myself a failure. Failure is not getting knocked down. It’s not getting up.”
There has been some questioning around the Ravens’ twitter account when they said Janay apologized for her role. Why?
did the Ravens really send out a press release in which Janay Rice apologizes for pounding Ray Rice’s fists with her face?
— CSTB (@cstbtweet) July 24, 2014
