Ray Rice, out of football

[blueash]

Ray Rice, star running back for the NFL Baltimore Ravens, had recently been suspended for 2 games for being caught by a security camera dragging his unconscious fiancé out of an elevator where he had admitted to having hit her. This two game suspension was roundly criticized as inadequate especially given the one year suspensions handed out for drug use. Even the commissioner had recently regretted the leniency of this punishment and promised future suspensions for domestic violence would be longer.

Today TMZ.com released the video of the camera from inside the elevator showing the actual knockout punch. Somehow actually seeing what everyone already knew had happened, he threw a punch and knocked her out cold, caused the Ravens to respond by cutting him. The NFL office has also suspended him indefinitely which was done to discourage other teams from picking him up. Maybe this will help turn the corner in an understanding that it is not okay to clobber people. Sadly one widely respected national news source responded to this new video partially with jokes by advising that :

“I think the message is take the stairs,”
“The message is, when you’re in an elevator, there’s a camera"

[Challenger]

Ray Rice is almost a minor example of the trash that we look up to in the NFL.

Convicted felons an other generally morally bankrupt players and owners that are being held up to our youth as roll models.

Does anyone Care?:22yikes:

[janmcn]

Good for the Ravens and good for the NFL to let Ray Rice and all other players know that this behavior will not be tolerated, and it is not okay to beat your wife/girlfriend or anybody. Rice will have at least a year to get some anger management treatment.

[alemorkam]

Should be Jail.

[graciegirl]

I agree with every one of your posts. I saw that video and he knocked her out cold and dragged her body out of the elevator and when someone came he started patting her.

AND SHE LATER MARRIED HIM.

How sick is that?

Here it is;
http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=youtube+ray+rice+inside+elevator+video&FORM=VIRE1#view=detail&mid=A94CC4FF2D8BFB712BA1A94CC4FF2D8BFB712BA1

[Gary7]

I also agree with all ... especially Challenger ... the NFL today is not like the NFL in our days. There are so many players who should not be allowed to play ... the NFL should set standards like the rest of us.

[MarkinMd]

So many NFL players of today are simply thugs. I have my own reasons to believe why she married him but its only my opinion.

[Jdmiata]

Didn't this happen months ago ? Why is this video just showing up ?
Smells like a cover up to me.

[tainsley]

Don't you think they saw the video before? What was the explanation as to why she was knocked out? So sad to see her apologize and take responsibility for her coming back at the thug at a news conference. No protection for her now as they are out of the Ravens organizTion. This behavior starts back in high school. as a parent of a a college football player... I could tell you stories.

[John_W]

I wouldn't say Rice is out of football, but probably out of Baltimore. Some stores in Baltimore today have already pulled his jersey. After Rice's dismal performance last year and with his impending suspension this season he was played very little in the preseason. In yesterday game, one of the few bright spots was in the second half comeback, new running back Justin Forsett gained 70 yards on 11 carries. He passed veteran Bernard Pierce on the depth chart and will start Thursday night. I just read the Ravens will save $4 million in salary cap this season. I'm sure they didn't waste anytime cutting him loose.

I expect some team will sign Rice when this is over, or at least invite him to camp. I just read the Miami Dolphins player Richie Incognito that was suspended last year for harassing a black team mate is about to sign with Tampa Bay, and they have a black head coach Lovie Smith.

[B767drvr]

It's sad all the way around…

Years ago, the NFL was far more devoid of this repulsive behavior. The NBA and MLB seemed to have a lock on the thugs of sports. For a while, the NFL was really a cut above. Apparently, not any more. I'm personally sickened by this video. Ban him for LIFE!

What part of "you never hit a woman" did this savage never hear?

This guy attacked a woman, knocked her out, dragged her out of an elevator… (all recorded)… and he's not in jail, why? Oh, oh… she MARRIED him! Wedded bliss, I guess. I'm sure he'll never repeat that behavior! :(

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Seems to me that he should be out of football at least until he gets out of prison.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

It has just been announced that The Ravens have released him. Good for them. It was also announced that Roger Goodell has suspended him indefinitely. Not bad, but permanently would have been more appropriate.

He's been indicted and if found guilty he could do three to five years. Of course if his lawyers can't get the video evidence tossed, he'll probably plea and get out with no prison time.

[graciegirl]

Here is a tape of the press conference in May where Janay Rice apologizes for "her involvement in this".

They were seated not very close together during this press conference and it appears it was someone in Ravens's PR trying to stop the damage who arranged this.. I am sure that the elevator tape was known about and squelched at that time.


Ray Rice's Press Conference With His Wife Janay Rice - YouTube

[missypie]

The Ravens did the right thing.

She NEVER should have married him.

Some women just don't get it until its too late. Very sad.

[redwitch]

Sadly, this is nothing new. OJ was bailed out of trouble over and over from junior high on because he was a star athlete. This convinced him he was above the law and he acted accordingly. Athletes are idolized regardless of their private persona. Babe Ruth was a drunk. Ted Williams was a bigoted bully. And so on and so forth.

Teams and coaches will protect their star players as much as possible. This is true in high school, college and the pros. We wish it was just the players of today but it isn't. The difference is we hear more about private behavior today.

People should not be excused for bad behavior just because they have a talent. They should be held accountable. Rice's behavior was criminal and should be treated as such.

[Taltarzac725]

History of Battered Women’s Movement (http://www.icadvinc.org/what-is-domestic-violence/history-of-battered-womens-movement/)

This should put this in perspective. It does seem to have a warning on it that if you are looking at this your web browzer history might show it.

[Chi-Town]

What was shown was a surveillance tape. Don't you think people in the know had seen this some time ago? Heads should roll.

[karostay]

So many NFL players of today are simply thugs. I have my own reasons to believe why she married him but its only my opinion.
Money Ya Think !

[Bay Kid]

These are the people our children and grandchildren look at as their heroes? No wonder the world is changing for the worse.

[MarkinMd]

Money Ya Think !

All the money in the world isn't worth it.

[collie1228]

Think about it. The NFL suspended him for two games after viewing a video of him dragging his fiance's unconscious body out of an elevator. They now claim that they never saw the video inside the elevator where he brutally punched her and knocked her out. So now that they know, they suspended him indefinitely and the team cancelled his contract. How did they think she became unconscious in the first place? Why should this latest video make any difference? Didn't they know he hit her? There is no excuse for any of the decision makers in this case - it's time for accountability.

[graciegirl]

In the video that they did see.... He dragged her out and DROPPED her HARD on her face unconscious. WHO would do that????? When someone came and saw them he started patting her.

SOMEONE KNEW. THAT tape of the interior of the elevator was there.

Something shady happened.

[LI SNOWBIRD]

I heartily agree with Rice's removal. I am against violence against women, children and men of any kind. That being said I am wondering if the governing body of a business has the obligation/jurisdiction to discipline its employees for such transgressions. as far as I know the NBA/MLB/NHL or for that matter Walmart have no such policies. I know that some NFL employees ( and that is what they are) have a propensity for violent behavior, but other employers do too ( though not as much and very less publicized).
Perhaps all sports organizations can learn from this and initiate their own policies. I'm not sure if private employers ( Google et al) would develop a policy. Just thinking out loud.

[MarkinMd]

I know if I were found guilty of domestic violence when I was working I would have been terminated immediately.

[2BNTV]

A very disturbing video of what happened. Some thoughts:
1. No one should ever put their hands on another person.
2. I think he lied to the commissioner before he even knew, that all elevators have video surveillance.
3. Another case of a pampered athlete who grows up thinking he is special and above the laws.
4. Another case of "Roid Rage"?
5. Janay's marrying Ray and her thinking of his livelihood, is something that speaks volumns to me.
6. Another bonehead play that will cost him his career and 10M, not to mention the shame, of being known as an abuser of women.

Shame, shame, shame on you Ray Rice.

This country has a history of giving people second chances, so I hope they can live in peace and harmony, and get their lives back to normalcy.

[Walt.]

Does anybody think that if the Baltimore Ravens were defending Super Bowl Champions this year that Rice would have been dumped? Didn't he have a less-than-terrific 2013 season? Perhaps they were just glad to be rid of him and save some money. I doubt the NFL has suddenly seen the light and will dump the low-lifes. Say... how's Michael Vick doing these days?

[KayakerNC]

Think about it. The NFL suspended him for two games after viewing a video of him dragging his fiance's unconscious body out of an elevator. They now claim that they never saw the video inside the elevator where he brutally punched her and knocked her out. So now that they know, they suspended him indefinitely and the team cancelled his contract. How did they think she became unconscious in the first place? Why should this latest video make any difference? Didn't they know he hit her? There is no excuse for any of the decision makers in this case - it's time for accountability.

So, the question becomes; did the NFL fire him because THEY had just seen the latest video? Or because it had gone public and WE just saw it?

[rubicon]

One poster said that violence in football was not new and referenced OJ Simpson. I can remember the how Syracuse University tried to contain scandals surrounding Jim Brown's alleged rapes.

Perhaps celebrities can claim they have no obligations to fans our an audience but those people running their organizations NFL MGM etc do. they can say what they want but celebrities bad behavior do affect young people and young people do try an emulate them and their bad behavior

So good riddance Rice. And finally we have heard how abused wives seem to not be able to leave their abusive husband and always come tho their defense. Mrs Rice is Exhibit A

[redwitch]

I was the one who brought up Simpson. The point I was trying to make was that it isn't a problem of today's athletes. It is a problem of athletic organizations and has been probably for time immemorial (Roman gladiators were known for their orgies; Greek athletes were feted and given slaves to do with as they pleased). So long as athletes are put on a pedestal for a God-given talent and excused from decent behavior, behaviors such as those exhibited by Rice, et al. will continue.

Schools, boosters, professional teams, etc. need to hold their athletes accountable. Fans need to stop excusing bad behavior from star players (remember Kobe Bryant and the rape allegations -- didn't stop fans from buying tickets then or now to see him play). We're all culpable so long as we cheer these players on.

[collie1228]

So, the question becomes; did the NFL fire him because THEY had just seen the latest video? Or because it had gone public and WE just saw it?
I think you hit the nail on the head.

[rp001]

Rice should be in jail. The news reported last evening there is a strong push for the commissioner to be fired for the coverup. This is symptomatic of a bigger problem and it is jocks over scholastic achievement. Until we stop making heroes out of them nothing will change. I'm sure we all have heard of or have seen injustice slanted in favor of these athletes that can do no wrong.

[rubicon]

The issues surrounding the NFL's mixed attitudes concerning discipline carry to every industry. It seems for any number of given reasons, status, need, nepotism some people are given a break while others escape their crimes with impunity.

This is the central issue here its about the rule of law that should apply to all of us and none of us above it. But the human experience has demonstrated since the beginning of time those deemed the exceptions.

As a manager if i believed an employee was in violation of his/her fiduciary duties they were gone.

I agree whole heartedly with the poster that said we should re-think sports figures as heroes. Quite frankly that should apply to any celebrities. And, I believe society todays uses that term my hero too frequently and often in the wrong manner. I mean we can admire someone for an act it doesn't me they are a hero

[jflynn1]

This is some interesting info about the Heisman Trophy winner who the Florida States Attorney would not prosecute so he could be awarded the Heisman Trophy. Now the school has reopened the case. How sad.Florida State investigating Jameis Winston, attorney says
Rachel Axon, USATODAY7:45 p.m. EDT September 4, 2014
Florida State is proceeding with a school investigation of Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Jameis Winston related to the alleged rape of a fellow FSU student in 2012, an attorney for the woman told USA TODAY Sports.
Florida State officials traveled to where the woman lives in early August to interview her for the first time since she reported the alleged assault to police in Dec. 2012.
"They assured us that the Title IX process was going to move forward," said John Clune, a Title IX attorney representing the woman. "The interview went pretty well. I think it was a positive experience, and everyone felt like the university was taking it very seriously."
Clune said the lengthy interview with his client gave FSU more information than it previously had from the Tallahassee police department investigation. He said FSU officials interviewed two other people but that he does not know if Winston has been interviewed.
"We expect that there will be code of conduct charges that will be brought," he said. "There's no basis not to bring those charges now."
David Cornwell, an Atlanta attorney who is an advisor to Winston and his family, told USA TODAY Sports he expects the investigation to reach a similar outcome as the one conducted by the state attorney that ended in December 2013 without charges being filed against Winston.
"There is clearly a Title IX investigation commenced. There's no question, but it's not because the university did something wrong. It's not because these Colorado lawyers forced them to do something. It is because (the woman) refused to be interviewed previously and now she's willing to be. That's the only reason.
"Secondly, there's a Title IX process going on. It doesn't matter because we expect this process to have the same results as the prior ones did, which is no wrongdoing."
Clune says his client has said she would cooperate with an investigation since the university approached her in October 2013 and he has reiterated that willingness over the past several months.
Citing federal privacy laws, Florida State spokeswoman Browning Brooks said the school could not discuss an individual students' case. "While we cannot comment on any individual case, in general, complainants control the timing in our process," she said.
The New York Times first reported news of the FSU investigation earlier Thursday.
The woman filed a complaint with the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights, which opened an investigation of how FSU handles sexual assaults in April. That investigation is ongoing.
Under Title IX, schools are required to investigate and adjudicate cases of sexual harassment and violence regardless of the outcome of any criminal investigation. If Winston did face code of conduct charges from the university, a decision regarding responsibility would be made based on a "preponderance of the evidence" standard, in accordance with federal guidelines.
OCR also advises Title IX investigations should take no longer than 60 day to complete.
Florida State did not meet with Winston until January, more than a year after the alleged assault and a few weeks after he led the Seminoles to a BCS national championship and unbeaten season.
Baine Kerr, a Title IX attorney for the woman, told USA TODAY Sports in April that FSU suspended its investigation, at least in part, because Winston refused to answer questions.
The woman left school in November as news of the rape allegation dominated national headlines.
"It's unfortunate that it's happening so late because it would have been nice to see this happen at a time that it might have been of help to our client," said Clune. "But we're encouraged that they seem to be taking this seriously and she'll certainly help with whatever they need."
Clune said he expects to hear shortly what the next steps could be in the case. FSU's inquiry related to Winston comes as the Seminoles beat Oklahoma State to open the season on Saturday. They remain atop the Amway Coaches Poll and Winston remains a contender to repeat as a Heisman Trophy winner.
FSU faces The Citadel on Saturday before its bye week on Sept. 14.
"I think the issue is there are definitely some people at this university that really want to do the right thing and want to comply with the law," said Clune. "But it seems like there's a power struggle between those folks and people that would be just fine to just see this go away.
During the criminal investigation, Winston said through his lawyer that the sexual encounter was consensual. He did not answer questions from Tallahassee police or the state attorney's office during that inquiry.
Two of Winston's teammates faced code of conduct charges from the school related to their involvement. Chris Casher and Ronald Darby provided sworn affidavits during the criminal investigation that they had witnessed the encounter.
In an interview with TPD, Casher said he had recorded it on his phone but had deleted it and no longer had that phone.
After a hearing in May, Darby was found not responsible for the two code of conduct charges he faced. According to the Wall Street Journal, Casher was found responsible for "acts that invade privacy of another person" and "recording images without consent," for which he received a year of probation.
On Wednesday, the school launched an initiative called kNOw MORE to address sexual assaults on campus. With a focus on preventing sexual violence, the campaign seeks to educate students, faculty and staff about the meaning of consent, prevention, intervention and provide resources for sexual assault victims.
Clune called increasing awareness and talking about the issues constructive steps.
"It's a start. It's a good thing," he said. "The initiative that they've launched is something that is needed there, and ultimately what has to happen at some of these schools is really a fundamental change of climate on campus.
"The school has more that they need to do to change their policies, and they know that, but I don't want to take away from the initiative they launched yesterday."

[Pointer]

The issues surrounding the NFL's mixed attitudes concerning discipline carry to every industry. It seems for any number of given reasons, status, need, nepotism some people are given a break while others escape their crimes with impunity.

This is the central issue here its about the rule of law that should apply to all of us and none of us above it. But the human experience has demonstrated since the beginning of time those deemed the exceptions.

As a manager if i believed an employee was in violation of his/her fiduciary duties they were gone.

I agree whole heartedly with the poster that said we should re-think sports figures as heroes. Quite frankly that should apply to any celebrities. And, I believe society todays uses that term my hero too frequently and often in the wrong manner. I mean we can admire someone for an act it doesn't me they are a hero

I agree, here is an opportunity to make clear an example of what is unacceptable behavior by public figures. Big salaries should not protect one from accountability. This man should not be looked up but denounced as a violent dangerous man.

[dillywho]

I agree, here is an opportunity to make clear an example of what is unacceptable behavior by public figures. Big salaries should not protect one from accountability. This man should not be looked up but denounced as a violent dangerous man.

Hopefully, this won't be construed as political but here goes.

Isn't that what a good portion of our involvement in other countries is about....their treatment, or should I say mistreatment, of women? If it is wrong and unacceptable for them, then why on earth would it be acceptable in this country just because of athletic ability, status, or earning power for themselves and others? Mistreatment is mistreatment no matter who does it or where. It should not be acceptable at any level and should be dealt with accordingly. No second chances...period. :swear:

Just sayin'.

[janmcn]

All the major news organizations are now reporting that the NFL received this tape in April. They acknowledged receiving it and thanked the police for sending it. Say good-night Roger and kiss your 44 million dollar job good-bye.

[Rags123]

I am sure to be chastised for this post, but I have a few thoughts....

1. Ray Rice is NOT the poster boy for spousal abuse. His marriage is none of any of our business. The fascination with this young couple dismays me a lot. Yes, the NFL should discipline those who violate the laws, but feel strongly that once a player leaves the locker room, it is his life and if he breaks the law, he should suffer the consequences.

2. Does the media have nothing else to do ? There is more on Ray Rice on cable news channels that there is on what is happening in the middle east.

3. Why have we not heard anything from the WH on the Rice issue. First lady has opined on gay rights, white on black crime, whatever. This and all the related cases we have heard about are black on black....do they not deserve attention based on just that fact. Of course, spousal abuse takes place in all races, but seems to me that this deserves a mention at least.

4. With all the suspensions handed out to folks who spoke publicly with their own personal opinions, etc. I just wonder what happened to free speech. Lots of nasty stuff said about people every day, much much worse than any of these folks said. I do not have to like their opinion, but they sure have the right to say it. They USED to anyway.

[Loudoll]

I agree with every one of your posts. I saw that video and he knocked her out cold and dragged her body out of the elevator and when someone came he started patting her.

AND SHE LATER MARRIED HIM.

How sick is that?

Here it is;
youtube ray rice inside elevator video - Bing Videos (http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=youtube+ray+rice+inside+elevator+video&FORM=VIRE1#view=detail&mid=A94CC4FF2D8BFB712BA1A94CC4FF2D8BFB712BA1)
It took a long time for him to start patting her. It is sick, the whole thing.