New Rochelle’s Ray Rice has officially been cut from The Baltimore Ravens following the release of a graphic video of him punching his wife unconscious in an Atlantic City elevator, according to the New York Times.
The #Ravens have terminated RB Ray Rice’s contract this afternoon.
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 8, 2014
On Monday, TMZ released the graphic footage of the NFL running back and then-fiancé Janay Palmer inside an elevator back in February. The video appears to show Rice landing two blows on Palmer, knocking her unconscious. He is then seen dragging her from the elevator.
Rice, who has been with the Baltimore Ravens since 2008, was initially suspended for two games this season after initial footage of him and Palmer sparked allegations of domestic violence. Rice was originally charged with felony assault, but his wife made the decision not to testify against him, and the charges were dropped. Rice apologized publicly with her by his side earlier this year.
Rice faced discipline from the NFL in July when his suspension and pay cut were announced with positive responses, but his termination is the first disciplinary measure that the Ravens have taken as a team. The charges against Rice resulted in NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell changing protocol on players with domestic violence allegations against them.
Westchester Magazine previously profiled Rice for his philanthropic efforts in cancer research in January 2012.
Update (9/9): Ray Rice’s wife, Janay Palmer, took to Instagram Tuesday to speak out against media coverage of her own beating.
“To make us relive a moment in our lives that we regret everyday is a horrible thing,” she wrote. “To take something away from the man I love that he has worked his ass off for all his life just to gain ratings is a horrific.”
Although Palmer’s account is now private, the Baltimore Sun has verified the post was from Janay and intended for public release. Read Palmer’s entire statement below.
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If you or somebody you know is currently suffering domestic abuse, there are places to turn to for help.
Hope’s Door
39 Washington Ave
Pleasantville, NY 10570
(914) 747-0828; domestic abuse hotline (888) 438-8700
Westchester County Family Justice Center
111 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
White Plains, NY 10601
Domestic abuse hotline (914) 995-3100
