When I saw that the Ravens had named Ray Rice as tomorrow’s Legend of the Game, I had to take a moment to pause and soak in the announcement. I wondered if this was really a good idea.
None of us will ever forget the video of Rice knocking out his then fiancé, now wife Janay, in the elevator of an Atlantic City casino. Most of us will remember how the incident placed a black-eye on the face of a franchise that previously carried a pristine reputation, particularly when it appeared to the public that there was some form of cover up orchestrated by the organization.
The couple eventually married, remain married and have been exemplary citizens in and around the Baltimore community.
My take at the time, and it’s still one that I maintain, as a proud father of a daughter, is that if Janay’s dad, Joseph Palmer, could forgive Ray Rice, then I could too. From the outside looking in, the Rice-Palmer family seems to have gotten beyond this mammoth family transgression that was tried repeatedly in the court of public opinion.
I’ve spoken to Ray on a number of occasions. He’s a great guy who is outstanding with children – his own and those in the community. I’ve watched how the kids respond to his boyish charm. The mutual admiration is real. I have friends and acquaintances who know him better than me, and vouch for his character.
But there’s still that video.
The league pushed back. After that incident, Ray never played another down in the NFL. Never even got another look that I’m aware of, even from running back-starved teams. For the NFL, the juice just wasn’t worth the squeeze. What they saw from Ray on the field in 2013 wasn’t worth the potential PR catastrophe of hiring Rice. He didn’t have the ceiling of a Tyreek Hill whose transgressions are far more egregious than Ray’s. That’s an example of NFL hypocrisy. But that’s a topic for another day.
Tomorrow, Rice is hosting a Q&A on Ravenswalk. He’ll be introduced at M&T Bank Stadium to 72,000 fans with adrenalin racing through their veins like a freight train before what is arguably the franchise’s most important regular season game ever.
Why Ray Rice?
Why now?
It just doesn’t make sense.
The Ravens’ PR department is one of, if not the best in the league. They usually have their finger on the pulse of fans. They usually get it right. I’m not so sure about this one.
Steve Bisciotti once vowed not to bring in players with a history of domestic violence following this Rice incident. He has stayed true to his word, until now.
To name Rice “Legend of the Game” is a risk. For families of fans who have experienced such violence it may be perceived as a slap in the face. I’m sure the organization has bantered this about and concluded that they can manage the collateral damage.
But this game?
I think it would have been better to wait for the 3rd home game next October. Why potentially undermine the mood of one of the Ravens most important players on Sunday – the 12th man.
Legend of the game?
Hopefully this doesn’t amount to a legendary mistake.
19 Responses
Agree with your view. I hope he appears on the field WITH Janay. I think that will say a lot. Forgiven and a Raven forever? Yes. A legend? Perhaps a stretch, but it will make a difference to me if he appears with Janay.
Humans make mistakes. Ray has never since that horrible incident been in the press in a bad light. He has gone to great lengths to change and become a better person. It is time to move on and honor his time with the Ravens.
AI am a woman who was abused.by my spouse, but I am also, ass Ray Rice is, a human being. How you live AFTER an incident like that speaks loudly about your character. I applaud him for living his life the way he has since, and hope more people will see him as a changed human and husband.
Well said.
I was appalled by his actions. However, I think he has redeemed himself. I have no problem with him being the Legend.
I am a woman who was abused by my spouse, but I am also, as is Ray Rice, a human being. How you live AFTER an incident like that speaks loudly about your character. I applaud him for living his life the way he has since, and hope more people will see him as a changed human and husband.
One of my biggest pet peeves is giving guys in sports second chances without making them earn them. Here is a guy that has gone above and beyond to get a 2nd chance and never got it. Even so this is very odd timing
He’s a human being who made a mistake and has paid his debt and redeem himself. Let those who live in a glass house cast the first stone! Not sire about you guys but we’ve all made mistakes just not in the media! He’s more than made up for it and I for one applaud the good that’s come from his hard work since! Love me some Ray Rice!
This reminds me of all the arguments about whether Pete Rose belongs in the MLB Hall of Fame. So many fans cry that his prowess should be enough and he’s more than paid the price. Not much different here. Ray Rice did wrong, heinous, and paid the price. Let his talent speak now
Typical Tony going overboard again. And While he made it clear in thus article he’s moved past the incident and has friends that vouch for 27s character, clearly Tony hasn’t moved beyond it like Ravens have. Like the saying goes Time heals all wounds. Especially when you show that you aren’t that person in your darkest hour. You are person and character everyone has seen the other 99% of the time.
Plus lets also not ignore the football impact. Ravens don’t win 2012 SB without Ray Rice. That’s why he’s a legend of the game. 4th&30 hey diddle diddle.. and countless other big runs and plays.
I hope this is as you say, “going overboard”. I would like to know how that is “typical” but if that’s your takeaway, I would disagree, but appreciate your visit here nonetheless. I don’t question Ray’s worthiness. I question the timing. I’m sure there are women out there who have suffered from domestic violence, some of which may be in attendance tomorrow. They could be offended by the ceremonial endeavor and if so, it could undermine the home field advantage in a critically important game. My point isn’t that Ray isn’t deserving, but why not do this during a less critical game.
If that’s going overboard, I’d question your definition of the term but accept it just the same.
I’m a big fan of R.R. then, & a huge fan of him now, humans make mistakes & he is a he’ll of a FAMILY MAN, who deserves a second chance.!!!! GO R.R.
Man or woman with out sin cast first stone we All have done something wrong A Black man does something It’s A Life sentence white man getsA pat on his back Leave the man alone Vick they try to destroy him but he made A good Life Rice pay the price he apologized Let’s move on but they can’t praying for the world
To err is human; to forgive is divine! He paid a heavy price for his mistake and has more than atoned for it! His accomplishments on the field are of legendary quality and deserving of praise! My take is that they chose a meaningful game for a meaningful event! Congratulations, Ray!
Understand he is a changed person and has done great things. I am sure he is a great person, but the video was graphic, horrific and utterly disgusting. Disagree with recognizing him as a legend and 100% should not be done during this game. Very surprising they are doing this. A lot of people are angry about it with many of them women.
What RR did was horrible. He got what he deserved at the time. His career was over.
How he has comported himself since then has been exemplary. He’s done everything he can to repair his life and his reputation.
I have no problems with how the Ravens are handling this issue. Redemption is available for all but the worst of society and humanity. He’s not Hitler, Pol Pot, or Stalin. Let’s save the scorn of humanity for those that truly deserve it.
Shocking!
Three points:
1. I suspect these things are planned before the season starts, perhaps just after the schedules are released by the league. If that’s the case, then by the time the team and league figured out how important this game would be and how much attention it would attract (maybe 3 or 4 weeks ago), it may have been too challenging to change it up.
2. See paragraph 4 and reread it in my voice.
3. Who was the Legend of the Game in the home opener? Did you have to look it up? More will remember the hangover they will have on Monday than will remember this imbroglio.
Oh but that 4th and 29. I still remember that one.
It wasn’t RR the teams didn’t want. Look at all the other players that got a pass & continued to play. It was the Rice package. His wife was a liability. She committed crimes, couldn’t keep quiet & caused him problems. That combined with the video was the nail in his coffin.