If he gets a job, Ray Rice pledges salary to domestic violence programs
Out of football for almost two years, former Baltimore Ravens running back is still holding out hope that he’ll play in the NFL again.
And if that happens, Rice told USA Today’s Tom Pelissero that he will donate his entire 2016 salary to organizations and programs that focus on domestic violence education and prevention, as well as those that support survivors and their families.
“All the scrutiny that I’ve got, it was deserved, because domestic violence is a horrible thing,” said Rice, who has not played a down since Dec. 29. 2013.
If Rice were to sign with a team this year, it would likely be for the league minimum; for a player like Rice, with six accrued seasons, that would be $885,000.
“Me donating my salary is something that’ll be from the heart for me. I only want to play football so I can end it the right way for my kids and for the people that really believed in me,” Rice said. “But I know there’s a lot of people affected by domestic violence, and every dollar helps. It’s raising awareness.
“People need homes. People need shelter when they’re in a crucial situation. I’ve donated a lot of money to charities, but I had a situation where it was a national crisis. I’m not saying I’d be [donating the salary] to get on the field, but it’s something that will show where my heart is. My heart is about finishing the right way and helping people along the way.”
In the early morning hours of Feb. 15, 2014, Rice and his then-fiancee, Janay, were winding down after a night out for Valentine’s Day at the Revel Casino in Atlantic City when they had an altercation that resulted in Rice punching Janay in the face in an elevator, knocking her out. He then dragged her limp body off the elevator.
Initially, Rice was suspended just two games by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, which ignited a firestorm of frustration. But in September 2014, when the video from inside the elevator went public, Goodell suspended Rice indefinitely (a punishment that was overturned on appeal), and he was released by the Ravens.
It’s unlikely that Rice will get another chance in the NFL, and not solely because of his domestic violence incident. As we know, the NFL is a what-have-you-done-lately business, and the last time Rice was on the field, he averaged a career-worst 3.1 yards per carry in 15 games in 2013.
By contrast, Greg Hardy totaled 15 sacks for the Carolina Panthers in 2013, then played just one game in 2014 after the team placed him on the commissioner’s exempt list after his own domestic violence incident. In 2015, confident Hardy would help their pass-rush, the Dallas Cowboys signed him to an incentive-laden contract.
Rice has been working out in Stamford, Conn., near his home, and has been visiting colleges as well as the Ravens to tell his story.
“The only way to fix the problem is awareness. It’s an epidemic,” Rice said of domestic violence. “I know that my situation raised awareness. I’m not thankful for being that guy, but I’m thankful for the people that now are not afraid to ask for help, because I had to go get the help myself after to realize the severity of what domestic violence is.”
