Rice suspended two games
Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice will be suspended two games, according to multiple reports including Ravens.com. Rice who was arrested this offseason for a simple assault charge that gained tons of media attention. I was expecting a four-game suspension for Rice. Rice will miss not be paid for the first two-games.
Some things that may have worked in Rices favor is that Rice married his fiance and went into counseling before he even went to court. This was also Rices first off the field issue and he had a very good reputation before this happened and was a strong member of the Baltimore community.
The Ravens have other running backs that will be able to step in for Rice while he is gone. My running back position analysis can be found here. The two-game suspension is the best the Ravens could have hoped for and the Ravens will get an extra roster spot for those two games.
Here are the statements from the Ravens.
RAVENS STATEMENTS ON RAY RICE
General Manager and Executive Vice President Ozzie Newsome:
“We appreciate the thorough process the league office used to evaluate the incident with Ray Rice. The time the Commissioner spent with Ray and Janay is typical of the extra steps the NFL takes when making decisions regarding discipline issues. While not having Ray for the first two games is significant to our team, we respect the league’s decision and believe it is fair.
“We also respect the efforts Ray has made to become the best partner and father he can be. 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.”
RB Ray Rice:
“It is disappointing that I will not be with my teammates for the first two games of the season, but that’s my fault. 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.”
