Baltimore Ravens to Honor Ray Rice in Week 17 Despite Horrific Domestic Violence Past

The Baltimore Ravens will honor Ray Rice as a Legend of the Game during their week 17 matchup with the Miami Dolphins.

Rice was caught on video abusing his fiancée in an elevator in 2014, and he never played again in the NFL after the video went public. The announcement of his planned honoring has caused many fans to question the morals of the Baltimore organization.

The @Ravens plan to HONOR disgraced RB Ray Rice at tomorrow’s game. You know, the guy who knocked his fiancé out cold in 2014, then dragged her out of an elevator. Stay classy!https://t.co/tmID7ygF6X

— Thomas (@nashmax73) December 30, 2023

The Ravens honoring Ray Rice is an embarrassment. But it’s the same organization that put his fiancee on stage at a presser days after he punched her to “apologize for any part [she] played in this incident”

So no, I’m not shocked

— Anderson Cooper’s Stunt Double (@boinkofscience) December 30, 2023

this the ray rice y’all are honoring? https://t.co/XfIIA44i2T pic.twitter.com/YT6560cswV

— calli (@DrewStubbmuffin) December 30, 2023

I appreciate that Ray Rice has put in the work to better himself, his community, and his marriage.

However, one of the punishments for knocking your wife out in an elevator should be that you don’t get 70,000 people cheering your professional legacy. https://t.co/VY9G3isG3N

— R33D (@iReedifer) December 30, 2023

When the incident first occurred, the NFL only suspended him for two games. The video was not released at that point, but when it became public the two-game suspension was the cause of public outrage.

Rice’s name is still synonymous with the domestic violence issue that plagues football, and sports as a whole. In an article from Pro Football Talk, Rice argues that the moment will allow him to show the public how he has bettered himself.

“I truly understand why I was let go and why so many hearts changed. But hopefully people can see where I’m at now. They say people can change, right? I am not the same person I was 10-12 years ago. That’s just not who I am,” Rice told the Ravens’ website. “Every time I stepped on the field, I gave it my all. But I couldn’t say the same for life. Now I’m trying to be the best version of me.”

Former Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice was, and in many ways still is, the face of the domestic violence issue that plagues the sport

The game in which Rice will be honored is against the Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins’ star player, wide receiver Tyreek Hill, pleaded guilty to domestic violence and battery by strangulation in the same year that Rice was cut. The victim of Hill’s crime was his girlfriend, who was pregnant at the time.

Hill was kicked off of the Oklahoma State Cowboys football team, and was sentenced to three years of probation.  Hill was also under investigation in 2019 for the alleged battery of his 3-year-old son, and he was once again investigated this summer for another alleged assault and battery.

Hill and Rice are two of many assault and abuse cases in which NFL players are the subject. Other notable allegations/convictions include players such as:

• Von Miller (Recently said allegations of domestic abuse are “100% false,” alleged victim recanted allegations)
• Greg Hardy (found guilty, appealed and had charges dismissed when victim refused to testify)
• Adrian Peterson (Pleaded no contest to misdemeanor reckless assault of 4-year-old son)
• Ezekiel Elliott (suspended by NFL for six games for being physically violent with a woman in 2016)
• Kareem Hunt (Public video of him shoving, kicking a woman)

These cases are some of the most prevalent in recent years, but there are many more allegations from players that aren’t as notable. Among NFL players, domestic violence accounts for 48% of all arrests for violent crime. Among all men ages 25-29, domestic violence accounts for 21% of arrests for violent crime, according to CharlesUllman.com.

Rice did a lot for community work since the incident to atone for his past transgressions. He started a non-profit organization with the goal of helping underprivileged kids in Baltimore. He also coaches two youth football teams in the Baltimore area.

Rice also worked with the Childhood Domestic Violence Association and A Call to Men. Rice now shares his story with college and NFL teams with the goal of making a positive impression on the youth that make up those teams.

The Baltimore Ravens are also honoring Ray Rice as a player

Rice was a three-time Pro Bowler with the Ravens, and that is part of the honoring that will take place in the game against the Dolphins. Rice was also an integral part of the Ravens’ Super Bowl victory in 2012.

In an article from the Ravens website, Ravens President Sashi Brown explains the kind of player Rice was.

“Fantastic back. Versatile and productive. Tough as nails. And clutch. Great teammate. Ray’s on field accolades speak for themselves,” Brown said.

Rice’s most iconic play as a raven was when he converted on a 4th-and-29 after a checkdown.

Ray Rice on 4th and 29

That’s it, that’s the tweet pic.twitter.com/RvJx3cCpDV

— The Ravens Realm (@RealmRavens) April 20, 2022

Rice had over 6,000 yards on the ground in his six-year career. He had 37 touchdowns with the Ravens, and was a weapon as a receiving back as well. He eclipsed the 3,000-yard receiving mark, and had two seasons with over 700 yards receiving.

Rice had four seasons with over 1,000 yards rushing, but he averaged just 3.1 yards per carry when he was cut by the Ravens.

Rice’s name will forever be attached to the incident in 2014, but he hopes this honoring will be a part of his path to redemption.

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