Ray Rice, the star running back for the Baltimore Ravens and New Rochelle native, has been suspended for the first two games of the 2014 NFL season following charges of domestic violence, according to The Baltimore Sun.
Rice was charged with felony aggravated assault after an alleged physical altercation with his wife, then-fiancée Janay Palmer, in a casino elevator in Atlantic City on February 15.
In a statement to the media, Rice, 27, apologized to the public, his team, and his coach for his actions.
“I want to apologize to my fans, to the kids, to everyone affected by this situation that me and my wife are in,” Ray said.
He went on to say that through counseling, he and his wife have been able to work through the assault.
“One thing that I do know is that I am working every day to be a better father, a better husband, and just a better role model,” Rice said.
In addition to missing the first two games of the season against the Bengals and the Steelers, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is suspending Rice’s pay for the games plus a third game check, totaling $700,000.
Rice will not try to appeal the suspension, and is permitted to attend training camp and play in the Ravens’ preseason games.
