Ray Rice Punishment: Does It Go Far Enough?

Ray Rice apologized to his wife on Thursday at a press conference, but social media critics – and United States senators -- are debating whether the Baltimore Ravens running back has gotten off lightly for reportedly assaulting his wife.

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 Thursday. In May, Rice publicly apologized to his teammates and fans, but his remarks then omitted his wife, Janay.

“My actions were inexcusable. My actions are something I have to live with the rest of my life,” he said this week, 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 couple is undergoing marriage counseling.

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.

But, fans, sports commentators and others argue that the length of the NFL’s punishment is too lenient.

On Thursday, United States Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) wrote NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and urged the league to increase Rice’s punishment, ESPN reports.

“Mr. Rice’s suspension reflects a disturbingly lenient, even cavalier attitude towards violence against women,” the senators wrote, says ESPN. “We therefore urge you to take two steps immediately. First, reconsider and revise Mr. Rice’s suspension to more adequately reflect the seriousness of his offense. We are also writing to the Baltimore Ravens to request that they impose additional discipline under their own authority, but it is imperative that the NFL itself makes clear that this conduct is truly unacceptable.”

At a press conference Friday for NFL Hall of Fame festivities, Goodell said domestic violence is not acceptable, but argued the two-game penalty for Rice is consistent with other punishments issued by the league.

Some critics have questioned the two-game suspension for Rice, while players caught using drugs have typically been suspended for four games. The NFL’s contract with the players’ union outlines how punishment for drug usage is meted out, Goodell told reporters.

Factors that went into his decision included Rice’s previous clean record, his participation in a diversionary program through the courts, and conversations with Rice and his wife, Goodell said.

“You know, you have a lot of people voicing their opinions, but I think it’s important to understand that this is a young man who made a terrible mistake,” Goodell told ESPN. [The suspension] is inconsistent with what we’re all about and we’ve dealt with it in a serious manner and we’re very confident that this young man understands where he is and what he needs to do going forward.”

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.”

Related:

Ray Rice Apologizes to Wife: ‘Angel’ Not at Fault

‘Disappointing’: Ravens React to Ray Rice Announcement

Ray Rice: ‘I Won’t Call Myself a Failure’

NFL Officials Make Decision on Ray Rice Suspension

Rice Admitted to Pre-Trial Intervention Program

Ray Rice Pleads Not Guilty, Deal Pending

Day After Ray Rice Indicted on Assault Charge, He Weds Fiancée

Baltimore Ravens Running Back Ray Rice Faces New Criminal Charge

Ray Rice Arrested in Atlantic City

» Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice at a July 31 press conference. Photo Credit: Screenshot from ESPN