For years Ray Rice was a fan favorite. Not only did he represent the Baltimore Ravens in the Pro Bowl three times and rack up over 2,000 yards from scrimmage in a season twice, he also gave of his time and his money to a community that he embraced in the way it embraced him.
His place in the Ravens Ring of Honor seemed like a foregone conclusion. There was even debate among fans that he belonged in the discussion when considering the team’s mythical Mount Rushmore.
And then it happened.
With one vicious slap to the head of his then fiancé Janay Palmer in that Atlantic City hotel elevator, Rice’s reputation dropped faster than his victim.
All of the good he did both on and off the field, blown to smithereens.
His anti-bullying campaign – now the punch line (no pun intended) of below-the-belt humor.
One tequila-drenched lapse of reasoning obliterated a career that he spent a lifetime building.
Today his name is synonymous with domestic violence.
The Ravens did the right thing by parting ways with Rice. He earned his punishment. But now it’s time for him to get a second chance.
Permanently ostracizing Rice does nothing. Wouldn’t it be better to provide that second chance and then allow Rice to use the newfound opportunity in part, to speak against domestic violence?
Others in the NFL have gotten their second chance. Some were successful while others just compounded their transgressions with more of the same.
Brandon Marshall was involved in multiple instances of domestic violence yet his career continues. He’s also developed into a very likable TV personality on Showtime’s Inside The NFL and has become a mentor to other players.
He’s learned from his experiences and put them to good use. And his rap sheet is far more disturbing than Rice’s.
Is it because Rice was caught on video that no one will give him a second chance?
Is it because he averaged just 3.1 yards per carry during his last season (2013) in the league?
Did Marshall get his second chance because teams believed he could still contribute on the field? Is it the same for Greg Hardy?
More than likely teams just don’t want to take the public relations risk with Rice for uncertain productivity on the field. The juice isn’t worth the squeeze.
But something tells me that Rice, driven by the need to rebuild his reputation and at least in part reestablish his good name for the benefit of his young daughter, would be a model citizen and teammate.
And judging from the way he performed during training camp last season, there’s reason to believe that he would be a contributor even if for just a year or two.
Someone, anyone, give Rice a second chance. Allow him an opportunity for redemption. Let him contribute to the world again. Let him set an example again.
He has paid his dues.
This story can have a happy ending.
Don’t we all deserve a second chance?
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