Ray Rice Apologizes to Wife: 'Angel' Not at Fault

Ray Rice apologized to his teammates and Baltimore Ravens fans this spring after he was charged with assaulting his wife, but at the time he didn’t apologize to her in public.

Rice, who last week was slapped with a two-game suspension and $500,000 fine, corrected what many critics labeled a misstep when he spoke at a Ravens press conference Thursday. The star runningback talked about his suspension and publicly apologized to his wife, Janay.

“My actions were inexcusable. My actions are something I have to live with the rest of my life,” he said, according to WJZ TV. “I didn’t publicly apologize to my wife. I know that hit home for a lot of people,” Rice said. “I’ve made the biggest mistake of my life. Me. She can do no wrong. She’s an angel.”

TMZ Sports video shows Rice dragging his now-wife, Janay Palmer, from an elevator at a casino in Atlantic City after prosecutors say he punched her. Rice would not specify what happened in Atlantic City, the TV station reports, but says he takes responsibility and is focused on moving forward.

The NFL ordered the two-game suspension and two weeks without pay as punishment for Rice, who was charged with assault as the result of an altercation with his then-fiancee, Janay, in an Atlantic City casino in February.

Rice will make his official start with the Ravens on Sept. 21 against the Cleveland Browns.

“It is disappointing that I will not be with my teammates for the first two games of the season, but that’s my fault,” Rice said on July 24. “My goal is to earn back the trust of the people, especially the children, I let down because of this incident,” said Rice, who is known for delivering anti-bullying messages to students.

Coach John Harbaugh mentioned the importance of setting an example for children, according to a report from the Baltimore Ravens. “There are consequences when you make a mistake like that...” Harbaugh said. “I think it’s good for kids to understand it works that way...”

Rice, who is also a parent, said he was using the incident as a learning experience. “ As I said earlier, I failed in many ways,” Rice said. “But Janay [his wife] and I have learned from this. We have become better as a couple and as parents.”

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