Ray Rice was suspended for two games for domestic violence, and I was listening to talk sports radio this morning. I was happily surprised at how hard the people on the show came down on Roger Goodell for giving such a light punishment. He knocked his fiancee unconscious in the elevator and then dragged her out by her hair. Do you think this kind of thing will turn women away from the NFL? I was already on the road to not caring about the NFL after my Eagles signed Michael Vick. This is just another reason not to care/give them my money.
The NFL is suspending Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice two games under the personal conduct policy for an altercation that left his then-fiancee (now wife) unconscious in an Atlantic City casino elevator in February.
Rice will miss games against two AFC North rivals, the Cincinnati Bengals and Pittsburgh Steelers, before he's eligible to be reinstated Sept. 12. He'll lose a third game check.
"It is disappointing that I will not be with my teammates for the first two games of the season, but that's my fault," Rice said in a statement release by the Ravens.
"As I said earlier, I failed in many ways. But, Janay and I have learned from this. We have become better as a couple and as parents. I am better because of everything we have experienced since that night. The counseling has helped tremendously.
"My goal is to earn back the trust of the people, especially the children, I let down because of this incident. I am a role model and I take that responsibility seriously. My actions going forward will show that."
Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome deemed the ruling "fair" in a statement, adding: "That night was not typical of the Ray Rice we know and respect. We believe that he will not let that one night define who he is, and he is determined to make sure something like this never happens again."
Rice, a three-time Pro Bowler and standout during Baltimore's run to the Super Bowl title in the 2012 season, is among five Ravens who have been arrested this offseason. In mid-June, he met in New York with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.
"As you acknowledged during our meeting, your conduct was unquestionably inconsistent with league polices and the standard of behavior required of everyone who is part of the NFL," Goodell wrote in a letter to Rice after the NFL confirmed the suspension Thursday afternoon. "The league is an entity that depends on integrity and in the confidence of the public and we simply cannot tolerate conduct that endangers others or reflects negatively on our game. This is particularly true with respect to domestic violence and other forms of violence against women.
"You will be expected to continue to take advantage of the counseling and other professional services you identified during our meeting. As you noted, this additional assistance has been of significant benefit to you and your wife, and it should remain a part of your practice as appropriate.
"I believe that you are sincere in your desire to learn from this matter and move forward toward a healthy relationship and successful career. I am now focused on your actions and expect you to demonstrate by those actions that you are prepared to fulfill those expectations."
In March, Rice was indicted by a grand jury on the more serious charge of third-degree assault for allegedly knocking her unconscious. The charge carried a potential sentence of three to five years in prison upon conviction. After the grand jury indictment, Rice and Palmer were married.
At a press conference a few days after entering the program for first-time offenders, Rice pledged to again become a role model.
"Sometimes in life you will fail, but I won't call myself a failure," said Rice.
"One thing that I do know is that I am working every day to be a better father, a better husband, a better role model."
Rice, 27, awaits his seventh NFL season. He had four consecutive years with more than 1,000 yards rushing, but his production declined to 660 yards in 15 games in 2013. In February, Rice said he had second thoughts about playing through a hip injury sustained in the second game of last season. But he did not require surgery.
Free agent addition Justin Forsett received first-team snaps in the offseason ahead of Rice and Bernard Pierce, who's rebounding from shoulder surgery.
MH was just reading this to me last night from his computer, and saying how disgusting it is ... not only that RR did this to that woman in the first place, but apparently there's some other NFL player being suspended for more games because he had taken an infertility drug.
Do you think this kind of thing will turn women away from the NFL?
2 games is weak, but the nfl is soft as a on violence, esp domestic.
The NFL is a terrible league as far as producing "role models". Sure, there are some really awesome men who play in the league, but the league turns a blind eye to domestic violence, DUI, rape, and general assholery on the regular.
That said, I'm not looking for role models through the NFL, but I know that kids are (I teach 8th graders). I am that fan who stops watching when shit like this happens. I like the Ravens and Ray Rice; I will not watch them this year. My own little protest...meaningless to the league but a good lesson when my kids ask why I don't support them.
"Hello babies. Welcome to Earth. It's hot in the summer and cold in the winter. It's round and wet and crowded. On the outside, babies, you've got a hundred years here. There's only one rule that I know of, babies-"God damn it, you've got to be kind.”
Ray Rice was suspended for two games for domestic violence, and I was listening to talk sports radio this morning. I was happily surprised at how hard the people on the show came down on Roger Goodell for giving such a light punishment. He knocked his fiancee unconscious in the elevator and then dragged her out by her hair. Do you think this kind of thing will turn women away from the NFL? I was already on the road to not caring about the NFL after my Eagles signed Michael Vick. This is just another reason not to care/give them my money.
The NFL is suspending Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice two games under the personal conduct policy for an altercation that left his then-fiancee (now wife) unconscious in an Atlantic City casino elevator in February.
Rice will miss games against two AFC North rivals, the Cincinnati Bengals and Pittsburgh Steelers, before he's eligible to be reinstated Sept. 12. He'll lose a third game check.
"It is disappointing that I will not be with my teammates for the first two games of the season, but that's my fault," Rice said in a statement release by the Ravens.
"As I said earlier, I failed in many ways. But, Janay and I have learned from this. We have become better as a couple and as parents. I am better because of everything we have experienced since that night. The counseling has helped tremendously.
"My goal is to earn back the trust of the people, especially the children, I let down because of this incident. I am a role model and I take that responsibility seriously. My actions going forward will show that."
Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome deemed the ruling "fair" in a statement, adding: "That night was not typical of the Ray Rice we know and respect. We believe that he will not let that one night define who he is, and he is determined to make sure something like this never happens again."
Rice, a three-time Pro Bowler and standout during Baltimore's run to the Super Bowl title in the 2012 season, is among five Ravens who have been arrested this offseason. In mid-June, he met in New York with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.
"As you acknowledged during our meeting, your conduct was unquestionably inconsistent with league polices and the standard of behavior required of everyone who is part of the NFL," Goodell wrote in a letter to Rice after the NFL confirmed the suspension Thursday afternoon. "The league is an entity that depends on integrity and in the confidence of the public and we simply cannot tolerate conduct that endangers others or reflects negatively on our game. This is particularly true with respect to domestic violence and other forms of violence against women.
"You will be expected to continue to take advantage of the counseling and other professional services you identified during our meeting. As you noted, this additional assistance has been of significant benefit to you and your wife, and it should remain a part of your practice as appropriate.
"I believe that you are sincere in your desire to learn from this matter and move forward toward a healthy relationship and successful career. I am now focused on your actions and expect you to demonstrate by those actions that you are prepared to fulfill those expectations."
In March, Rice was indicted by a grand jury on the more serious charge of third-degree assault for allegedly knocking her unconscious. The charge carried a potential sentence of three to five years in prison upon conviction. After the grand jury indictment, Rice and Palmer were married.
At a press conference a few days after entering the program for first-time offenders, Rice pledged to again become a role model.
"Sometimes in life you will fail, but I won't call myself a failure," said Rice.
"One thing that I do know is that I am working every day to be a better father, a better husband, a better role model."
Rice, 27, awaits his seventh NFL season. He had four consecutive years with more than 1,000 yards rushing, but his production declined to 660 yards in 15 games in 2013. In February, Rice said he had second thoughts about playing through a hip injury sustained in the second game of last season. But he did not require surgery.
Free agent addition Justin Forsett received first-team snaps in the offseason ahead of Rice and Bernard Pierce, who's rebounding from shoulder surgery.
I'd say the rapes would have probably already turned off anyone who would be turned off by this.
Yeah, I hate to break it to you Mr. Newsome but if you think this hasn't happened before and it is the first time Rice has done something like this, you are crazy. This IS the person you know - a man who batters women. Fucker.
I hate it when people make excuses for domestic abuse.
And this is just one more reason why I hate the NFL.
I'm disgusted. I agree with the tough bans on steroids. But to have a ban for steroids twice as long as the ban for wife or fiancee beating? Sickening. My FB usually blows up with Ravens fans in September. I might be a little nasty this year, remind them who they're cheering for.
This is due to collective bargaining though. I think rice should have gotten more games suspended (and I'm a ravens fan married to a Rutgers alum) but with the steroids that's kind of all laid out and set down in an agreement.
What is sad to me is that Goodell, comparatively, is pretty tough on this off-the-field stuff like this. (Compared to other commissioners). Maybe if the commissioners before him had been tougher the culture could have started to change a while ago.
Anyway, like I said, I think it should have been more games. This wasn't just an allegation or the like. This was on camera. There's proof. Two games isn't a whole lot in the grand scheme of things.
I'm disgusted. I agree with the tough bans on steroids. But to have a ban for steroids twice as long as the ban for wife or fiancee beating? Sickening. My FB usually blows up with Ravens fans in September. I might be a little nasty this year, remind them who they're cheering for.
That last sentence is obnoxious. I'm a ravens fan. It doesn't mean I condone wife beating any more than I think Eagles fans (or jets fans) like dogfighting.
I'm disgusted. I agree with the tough bans on steroids. But to have a ban for steroids twice as long as the ban for wife or fiancee beating? Sickening. My FB usually blows up with Ravens fans in September. I might be a little nasty this year, remind them who they're cheering for.
That last sentence is obnoxious. I'm a ravens fan. It doesn't mean I condone wife beating any more than I think Eagles fans (or jets fans) like dogfighting.
That last sentence is obnoxious. I'm a ravens fan. It doesn't mean I condone wife beating any more than I think Eagles fans (or jets fans) like dogfighting.
Or Pittsburgh fans love rapists.
I agree and have never said that about a Pittsburgh fan :-)
I'm disgusted. I agree with the tough bans on steroids. But to have a ban for steroids twice as long as the ban for wife or fiancee beating? Sickening. My FB usually blows up with Ravens fans in September. I might be a little nasty this year, remind them who they're cheering for.
That last sentence is obnoxious. I'm a ravens fan. It doesn't mean I condone wife beating any more than I think Eagles fans (or jets fans) like dogfighting.
I'm not sure I agree with you. When the Eagles employed Michael Vick, I stopped watching, stopped cheering for them, stopped buying jerseys or any other gifts for people. I was unwilling to support a team that would hire a dogfighter. If people don't let the NFL know that they disagree with the NFL's policies by not spending money/cheering for/talking about the NFL, will it ever change? Why would you cheer for a man that you know did such a thing?
I was so disappointed with Ray Rice. Prior to this he was a very strong anti-bullying advocate and IMO was really doing "good" with his charity/celebrity. I know, people fuck up and aren't perfect, but this wasn't a DUI messup type of thing. This was pure VIOLENCE, which seemed to go against everything he was working to fight against, which to me seemed like all he was doing was lip service before. It really changed my perspective on him forever.
BUT, I am a Ravens fan and will continue to cheer for the Ravens because there are some good players that are great people on that team. One player doesn't soil the bunch.
MH was just reading this to me last night from his computer, and saying how disgusting it is ... not only that RR did this to that woman in the first place, but apparently there's some other NFL player being suspended for more games because he had taken an infertility drug.
Do you think this kind of thing will turn women away from the NFL?
Sadly, no.
If you're talking about the guy from the Texans (whose name I cannot think of right now), he was suspended for having elevated hormone levels, which can be an indicator of taking steroids. His defense was that he was taking infertility drugs or something like that - it was all a bit sketchy, so it may not be a clean cut case. HOWEVER, if you smoke pot, you get four games - so that's more serious than knocking out your FI/wife according to the NFL.
BUT, I am a Ravens fan and will continue to cheer for the Ravens because there are some good players that are great people on that team. One player doesn't soil the bunch.
Go Torrey Smith
I don't even like football, but I love Torrey Smith (and will cheer for the Ravens).
It's the same reasoning as thinking all cops are bad, because of one dirty one. Or all Marines are bad because one killed his wife. I wish there was a no tolerance policy. A player should be cut if they're arrested. I know that will never happen.
I'm not a Ravens fan, but I've had Ray Rice on my fantasy team in the past. IDK, I don't think any worse of Ravens fans than I do the rest of us who watch the NFL. It's a cesspool, and this is not new. And I include myself in that category, because I do watch it. Every team has their problems... not too long ago, one football player shot his baby's mother (that was what 2 years ago?). It needs a massive overhaul, but until people stop attending and watching games, nothing is going to happen.
I am no fan of the Ravens and their recent string of arrests/police issues kind of illustrates why (It started with Ray Lewis so it has been for some time). But, I don't blame their fans outside of saying it for all NFL fans....if you support them, you aren't angry about their poor actions. I see it as any other product...if you are angry with, say, Chick-fil-a due to their dominionism, etc, I see this as NO different. Justifying it is what all do, but really, it is no different.
I was so disappointed with Ray Rice. Prior to this he was a very strong anti-bullying advocate and IMO was really doing "good" with his charity/celebrity. I know, people fuck up and aren't perfect, but this wasn't a DUI messup type of thing. This was pure VIOLENCE, which seemed to go against everything he was working to fight against, which to me seemed like all he was doing was lip service before. It really changed my perspective on him forever.
BUT, I am a Ravens fan and will continue to cheer for the Ravens because there are some good players that are great people on that team. One player doesn't soil the bunch.
Go Torrey Smith
There have been 5 Ravens arrests in the offseason (21 for NFL in total). 5, not 1.
I loathe Jim Irsay with the fire of 1000 suns, but part of the reason I loved the Colts so much when we were in Indy is that the Colts players were great assets to the community. I don't think I would have been such a fan of that team if that wasn't part of it. It felt good to root for them, you know?
MH was just reading this to me last night from his computer, and saying how disgusting it is ... not only that RR did this to that woman in the first place, but apparently there's some other NFL player being suspended for more games because he had taken an infertility drug.
Sadly, no.
If you're talking about the guy from the Texans (whose name I cannot think of right now), he was suspended for having elevated hormone levels, which can be an indicator of taking steroids. His defense was that he was taking infertility drugs or something like that - it was all a bit sketchy, so it may not be a clean cut case. HOWEVER, if you smoke pot, you get four games - so that's more serious than knocking out your FI/wife according to the NFL.
I think she's talking about Robert Mathis of the Colts who took Clomid for male infertility.
Domestic violence is NEVER about one night. That's what I could never get over about Rihanna and Chris Brown, how many people do not understand that domestic violence is like racism. It's not about one event. It's about a complex system of devaluation and denigration in which eventS with an S happen.
I have no idea what the circumstances were of that "one night" but I guarantee you it wasn't the first time he put his hands on her and if by some chance it was, that doesn't excuse the cycle of mental and emotional abuse he surrounded her with that lead to that moment.
That last sentence is obnoxious. I'm a ravens fan. It doesn't mean I condone wife beating any more than I think Eagles fans (or jets fans) like dogfighting.
I'm not sure I agree with you. When the Eagles employed Michael Vick, I stopped watching, stopped cheering for them, stopped buying jerseys or any other gifts for people. I was unwilling to support a team that would hire a dogfighter. If people don't let the NFL know that they disagree with the NFL's policies by not spending money/cheering for/talking about the NFL, will it ever change? Why would you cheer for a man that you know did such a thing?
I live in Eagles country. I am a football fan (of another team). I think there is a huge difference between shrugging your shoulders and saying, "welp, guess I'm gonna have to buy my kid a Vick jersey! GO DOGFIGHTING!" and continuing to be a fan of a team which you have liked since childhood and which is part of a kinship you feel with your friends and your community, and which gives you something fun and traditional to do 16 Sundays a year.
I would never, ever, ever buy myself or my child a Vick, Roethlisberger, Ray Rice, Ray Lewis, Kobe Bryant, etc, etc jersey. We would discuss why. I think there can be inherent value in being a fan of sports and sports teams within reason... but I'm also not shocked that a game/profession which supports violence and a culture of "manliness" which equates to toughness and violence includes a bunch of men who are violent. If no one ever bought Vick's jersey and if ticket sales didn't increase when he was hired, the Eagles would not have thought he was a good hiring decision, KWIM? Obviously there are people who DID buy his products.
PS, Rice wasn't convicted of domestic abuse, which I think is one reason the NFL won't do more about the situation. And the one person who could press charges won't and can't be compelled to testify because she is now married to him, which is the saddest part of this whole thing.