On Sunday, the Baltimore Ravens honored Ray Rice because the “Legend of the Sport,” marking a major turnaround for a participant as soon as synonymous with the NFL’s home violence drawback.
In 2014, a video surfaced displaying Ray Rice punching his then-fiancée, now spouse, and dragging her unconscious physique out of an elevator.
The NFL’s preliminary two-game suspension sparked anger, escalating to widespread outrage when the video went public, resulting in Rice’s removing from the group.
Rice performed six seasons for the Ravens, from 2008-2013, and was a key a part of Baltimore’s Tremendous Bowl-winning group in 2013.
Based on Rice, he sees the Ravens’ honoring him as a possibility to show private development and alter.
“I really perceive why I used to be let go and why so many hearts modified. However hopefully individuals can see the place I’m at now. They are saying individuals can change, proper? I’m not the identical particular person I used to be 10-12 years in the past. That’s simply not who I’m,” Rice instructed the Ravens’ information web site. “Each time I stepped on the sector, I gave it my all. However I couldn’t say the identical for all times. Now I’m attempting to be the perfect model of me.”
Ravens President Sashi Brown, regardless of not being with the group throughout Rice’s profession, defended him as a person deserving of recognition.
“He was additionally persistently in the neighborhood, giving again. Importantly, after Ray’s incident he owned it,” Brown mentioned. “On his personal accord, Ray undertook crucial work inside himself and to carry consciousness to and educate others on home violence. Nothing will change his previous or make it proper, however Ray’s work has allowed him to atone for his actions and rebuild relationships personally and professionally, together with with the Ravens.”
Because the incident, Ray Rice has actively participated in home violence consciousness teams and coaches youth soccer. He and his spouse have since constructed a household, with two kids.
“I knew it will be laborious to forgive me, however the one factor I’ve been per was that I used to be going to be higher. I’m not going to be a sufferer of my previous,” Rice mentioned. “My legacy received’t be home violence. My legacy can be what I grew to become after.”
