The balls on this guy, no matter what happens you never hit a woman, that's what my dad thought me, cant believe I used to like this guy.
President Obama has condemned Ray Rice in the strongest terms after shocking video of the former Baltimore Ravens running back striking his then fiancée Janay Palmer emerged on Monday.
White House spokesman Josh Earnest released a short statement following consultations with the president, after TMZ released shocking footage of Rice punching unconscious in an Atlantic City elevator in February,
'The President is the father of two daughters. And like any American, he believes that domestic violence is contemptible and unacceptable in a civilized society,' said the statement which denounced Rice for his violence towards Janay, who is now his wife.
'Hitting a woman is not something a real man does, and that's true whether or not an act of violence happens in the public eye, or, far too often, behind closed doors.
'Stopping domestic violence is something that's bigger than football – and all of us have a responsibility to put a stop to it.'
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Terminated: The Baltimore Ravens have canceled Ray Rice's $40 million contract in the wake of the release on Monday of a harrowing video showing him punch his then fiancée Janay Palmer unconscious
The Baltimore Ravens tweeted the announcement on Monday afternoon just hours after the release of the video footage
Ravens fans have taken to burning their Ray Rice jerseys in the wake of Monday's new video and his subsequent release by the franchise
Condemnation: White House spokesman Josh Earnest (left) spoke with President Obama regarding the issue of Ray Rice on Monday and the president agreed for a strongly worded statement to be issued to denounce the Baltimore Raven running back's actions in February
The statement from the president on the incident follows a damage limitation exercise from the Baltimore Ravens and the NFL on Monday amid increasing incredulity they had never seen the video before today.
A defensive and evasive Ravens head coach, John Harbaugh, gave a press conference on Monday night where he claimed that the franchise hierarchy viewed the shocking footage for the first time today, just like everyone else
Harbaugh admitted that despite a thorough internal investigation after Rice's February arrest, no one from his organization had ever seen the elevator footage - which means that if TMZ had never independently obtained and released the video, Rice may never have been fired.
Giving only curt responses to the gathered media in Baltimore on Monday night, Harbaugh appeared more comfortable talking about the Raven's upcoming game with the Steelers on September 11.
'It's something we saw for the first time today-- it changed things,' said Harbaugh about the video.
Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh speaks at a news conference after an NFL football practice at the team's headquarters, Monday, in Owings Mills, Maryland
'It made things a little bit different. . . I think it's pretty obvious and pretty apparent to anybody who has seen the video.'
On Monday, Rice, who is 5ft 8 in tall and weighs 218 lbs, had his $40 million contract terminated after the release of the brutal video of him knocking his then fiancée Janay Palmer out.
He is also suspended indefinitely from any NFL games and any Canadian Football League games too.
NFL officials had sparked shock and outrage in July when they handed him just a two-game suspension and a $500,000 fine.
Harbaugh said that after the video was released he and owner Steve Bisciotti, President Dick Cass and GM Ozzie Newsome met and decided on Rice's future.
'After seeing something this morning, seeing the video this morning, we had a chance to get together with Steve, Dick, Ozzie and myself and we had a meeting. It was not a long meeting. We came to the decision we came to to release Ray and that's what we did,' said Harbaugh.
'So you know that. I had a chance to talk with Ray along with Ozzie this afternoon after we did it.'
And late on Monday, banners and signs planted outside the Ravens headquarters in support of Rice were unceremoniously removed, in the aftermath of the release of the video.
Shocking new video footage emerged on Monday morning of the fight between now ex-Ravens running back Ray Rice and his then fiancée Janay Palmer in an Atlantic City elevator in February
When asked if his feelings towards Rice, who he publicly defended in July had changed, Harbaugh said no.
'Everything I said in terms of what I believe I stand by. I believe that still. I'll always believe those things,' said Harbaugh.
Harbaugh was asked about his personal reaction to the graphic footage and admitted he and his wife would offer support to Rice.
'When someone that you care about does wrong and is faced with the consequences it is tough and it is hurtful. My pain is for both of them as a couple,' said Harbaugh.
'From everything talking to Ray, up until his suspension, talking with him a lot, was they were working hard and doing well. If I can help them in any way and if my wife and I can help them in any way, we'll do that.'
The embattled coach was adamant that the video had never been made available to the Ravens and become frustrated claiming he didn't want to talk 'about feelings and that kinda stuff', but said the video was obviously 'shocking.'
'It wasn't made available to us. It wasn't there for us,' said Harbaugh.
'As far as I know yeah, it wasn't something we ever saw or had access to.'
After Harbaugh spoke, NFL Players Association Executive Director Maurice Smith said he found the video 'distrubing'.
He added that he had yet to speak with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, so wouldn't comment directly on Rice's firing.
'As a father, as a husband — when you see something like that, it’s jarring. It’s disturbing,' said Smith.
'For our union and for our players, it’s one of those things where you at least try to look at something positive.
'And that is the reminder how unacceptable any kind of violence, especially domestic violence, should be. It has no place in our lives, and certainly in our community. And that’s where we are right now.'
Filmed by a security camera inside an elevator at the Revel Hotel and Casino, the video shows the couple – who married a month later – engaged in a heated exchange as they enter the lift
Once inside Rice can clearly be seen slapping his girlfriend, before she hits him and he then punches her with such force that he knocks her off her feet
The Ravens had signed Rice on a five-year deal worth roughly $40 million in 2012. In 2014 his overall package would have been worth over $9 million - including a salary of $4,750,000, signing bonus of $3,000,000 and option bonus of $1,750,000.
But as Rice, a three-time all-Pro, was on the suspended list at the start of the season he won't be entitled to his 2014 pay.
He now becomes a free agent, but won't be able to play in the NFL due to his suspension.
On Monday, TMZ released previously unseen footage filmed by a security camera inside an elevator at the Revel Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, the video shows the couple – who married a month later – engaged in a heated exchange as they enter the lift.
Once inside Rice can be seen slapping his girlfriend, before she hits him and the 5-foot, 8-inch, 220-pound athlete then punches her with such force that he knocks her off her feet.
The Ravens had said earlier on Monday that they never saw the new video. Hours later, they sent out a one-sentence release: 'The Baltimore Ravens terminated the contract of RB Ray Rice this afternoon.'
The NFL also took action, saying on Twitter that Commissioner 'Roger Goodell has announced that based on new video evidence that became available today he has indefinitely suspended Ray Rice.'
Coach John Harbaugh, who previously called Rice 'one heck of a guy', is expected to speak publicly on Monday night after practice about the decision.
Despite initial reports to the contrary, the NFL had earlier denied that Goodell had access to the footage when he handed Rice a two-game suspension during the summer.
‘We requested from law enforcement any and all information about the incident, including the video from inside the elevator. That video was not made available to us and no one in our office has seen it until today,’ NFL spokesperson Greg Aiello had said on Monday morning.
The Revel Casino Hotel in Atlantic City, where the fight happened, had released the video to police, but it isn't clear if either the NFL or the Ravens had requested access to it when carrying out their investigations.
A seemingly unphased Rice then drags his unconscious fiancée out of the elevator at the Atlantic City hotel
Ravens coach John Harbaugh, left, had previously called Rice 'one heck of a guy', while NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, right, announced on Monday that he was suspending Rice from the league indefinitely
Rice drew further criticism during a press conference with his wife in May, where she apologized, but he didn't say sorry to her
'HE SHOULD BE THROWN OUT OF THE NFL AND INTO JAIL': FELLOW PROS REACTION TO RAY RICE VIDEO AND SUBSEQUENT RELEASE
Even NFL players who rarely criticize each other publicly made their feelings clear about Ray Rice on Monday through social media and in interviews.
Reaction was swift and powerful to the release of the video showing the Baltimore running back striking his then-fiancee, and the Ravens subsequently releasing him.
Saints tackle Zach Strief said: 'I don't know Ray Rice, but I know that video is disturbing. It's tough to see and it's unacceptable. ... It's upsetting.'
Added Steelers cornerback William Gay: 'We're talking about a life, I don't care about a sport when it comes down to domestic violence. This is real.'
Gay said the league needs to 'come together and help Ray Rice or anyone that's in that situation.'
Earlier, Terrance Knighton of the Broncos had been one of the first to comment on the video and was extremely critical of both Rice and the NFL.
Fellow professional Terrance Knighton, right, and ex-pro Scott Fujita were among the first players to publicly criticize Rice in the wake of the latest video
'That man should be thrown out of the NFL and thrown into jail. Shame on those deciding his punishment,' he tweeted.
'If there's anyway to open that case up and give this guy the punishment he deserves, it NEEDS to be done.'
Knighton then called on his fellow players to speak up and 'stand up for what's right.'
'This video makes me sick to my stomach,' he tweeted.
TJ Lang of the Green Bay Packers simply tweeted '2 games. Disturbing.'
Former Browns linebacker Scott Fujita, a former vice president of the NFLPA’s executive committee, had equally harsh words.
'I’m glad no one this morning seems to care about yesterday’s games,' Fujita wrote. 'This piece of s*** needs to be out of the league. Period.'
Other former players to speak out include linebackers Coy Wire and London Fletcher and center LeCharles Bentley who called on other NFL teams to refuse to play the Ravens until Rice is suspended indefinitely.
'He could've killed that girl. They need to sports science the force of that punch. NFL players are STRONG... Like very strong,' tweeted Bentley.
The Ravens were labelled ‘COWARDS’ by one of the most influential sports writer in the country, ESPN's Bill Simmons.
‘Ravens have to waive Rice today or they are cowards. New video is appalling. I'd like to see someone in the NFL do the right thing for once,’ he tweeted.
He was also critical of NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.
‘Goodell's ability to keep screwing up signature decisions is unparalleled. I don't trust him to organize a fast-food order at this point.’
Broncos defensive tackle Terrance Knighton called for Rice to be 'thrown out of the NFL and thrown into jail'
That video was not made available to us. And no one in our office has seen it until today
Despite initial charges against Janay Palmer being dropped, the Ravens were quick to try and apportion at least some blame on her following the original fallout from the incident.
The couple held a joint news conference in May, where Rice apologized and Palmer said the incident was partly her fault, to the alarm of domestic abuse counselors.
Palmer sat next to her husband during the May 23 press conference and apologized for her ‘role in that night’. The Ravens then tweeted her 'apology' to their fans.
Last month Ravens fans had even cheered Rice when he made his first appearance since the domestic assault charges in a pre-season game against the 49ers.
The franchise were labelled ‘COWARDS’ by one of the most influential sports writer in the country, ESPN's Bill Simmons on Monday.
‘Ravens have to waive Rice today or they are cowards. New video is appalling. I'd like to see someone in the NFL do the right thing for once,’ he tweeted.
Previous video footage, released days after the sickening incident on February 15, showed Rice seemingly unphased as he dragged his unconscious fiancée out of the elevator.
Moments later she appeared to regain consciousness and he walked away from her. The couple were taken to a nearby police station, charged with simple assault and then released.
Withdrawn: A sign that was posted in support of former Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice stands in front of the NFL team's headquarters, Monday, Sept. 8, 2014, in Owings Mills, Maryland
False support: A sign that was posted in support of former Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice stands in front of the NFL team's headquarters on Monday
Now th facts are clearer: Baltimore Ravens senior director of security Darren Sanders removes signs that were posted in support of former Ravens running back Ray Rice in front of the NFL team's headquarters on Monday
In May the Ravens were quick to try and apportion blame to Janay Palmer, by then using her married name, even though the charge against her had been dropped
The couple held a joint news conference in May, where Rice apologized and Palmer said the incident was partly her fault, to the alarm of domestic abuse counselors
In March, a grand jury upped the charges against Rice to third-degree aggravated assault, a felony, while the charge against Palmer was dropped altogether.
To avoid trial and possible jail time, Rice entered a diversionary program in May. Upon completion of the one-year program, his assault charge is due to be dismissed.
Goodell later admitted that he 'didn’t get it right' regarding Rice’s punishment and on August 28 he sent a letter to all 32 teams, detailing stronger sanctions for league personnel punished for domestic violence.
'My disciplinary decision led the public to question our sincerity, our commitment, and whether we understood the toll that domestic violence inflicts on so many families,' he wrote.
'I take responsibility both for the decision and for ensuring that our actions in the future properly reflect our values.'
A still from the original video footage released in February which showed Rice drag his fiancee's body from the elevator but signicantly didn't show the punch that floored her and left her unconscious
'I didn't get it right,' he added. 'Simply put, we have to do better. And we will.'
Goodell's plan includes at least six games for a first offense and a potential league ban for a second offense.
Three members of Congress wrote to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell asking him to reconsider Rice's suspension and numerous groups that advocate for women and families condemned the penalty as too lenient.
Rice eventually apologized some five months after the incident when his original punishment was announced.
'My actions were inexcusable. My actions are something I have to live with the rest of my life,' he said. ‘I didn’t publicly apologize to my wife. I know that hit home for a lot of people,’
‘I’ve made the biggest mistake of my life. Me. She can do no wrong. She’s an angel.’
Rice and Palmer married in March, just a month after the incident. They had been dating since 2008 and have a daughter, three-year-old Rayven
Rice had been a stand-out player for the Ravens since he was drafted from Rutgers University in the second round of the 2008 draft
'My daughter is 2 years old now. One day she's going to know the power of Google. Me having to explain that to her, what happened that night, that's something I have to live with the rest of my life,' he said.
He added: 'I know that's not who I am as a man. That's not who my mom raised me to be. If anybody knows me, they know I was raised by a single parent, and that was my mother.
'I let her down, I let my wife down, I let my daughter down. I let my wife's parents down. I let the whole Baltimore community down. I let my teammates down. I let so many people down because of 30 seconds of my life that I know I can't take back.'
Rice had been dating Palmer since 2008 and the pair have a daughter, three-year-old Rayven.
He has been a stand-out player for the Ravens ever since he was drafted to the Maryland team from Rutgers University in the second round of the 2008 draft.
Rice helped bring the team a Super Bowl victory in 2013, and paraded his daughter on the field after the victory in celebration.
He rushed more than 1,000 yards in four straight seasons for the Ravens, but had a disappointing 2013 season during which he gained 660 yards and scored just four touchdowns.
'There are consequences when you make a mistake like that,' Ravens coach John Harbaugh said at the time.
'I stand behind Ray. He's a heck of a guy. He's done everything right since. He made a mistake. He's gonna have to pay a consequence. It's good for kids to understand it works that way. That's how it works. That's how it should be.'
SETH ROGEN CALLS RAY RICE A 'PIECE OF GARBAGE' WHILE MIA FARROW SAYS THE NFL STAR SHOULD GO TO JAIL
Actor Seth Rogen reacted to the video by calling Rice a ‘piece of garbage’ on Twitter.
‘I don't know much about football, but I know that Ray Rice is a piece of garbage who shouldn't be allowed to play it professionally anymore.’
Rogen then tweeted at NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell saying, ‘@nflcommish your punishment for beating a woman is less than for smoking weed. Get your head out of your f****** ass.’
Rogen was referencing the yearlong ban handed out to Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon for testing positive for marijuana.
Seth Rogen tweeted that Ray Rice was 'garbage' after viewing Monday's video, while Mia Farrow called for the player to be sent to prison
Jamie Lee Curtis also attacked Goodell's decision making over the incident.
'Shame on you and the NFL. Two games? Really? Two games? Assault is assault. Take an action. Find your mind.'
Mia Farrow meanwhile called for Rice to do jail time for assault.
'Seems a man can do just about anything to a woman (or her kids) if she's 'just' the girlfriend - or wife,' she tweeted.
She also retweeted an old message sent in May by the official Baltimore Ravens twitter account which said that Janay Rice deeply regretted 'the role that she plated the night of the incident.'
Farrow added an exclamation remark to convey her outrage at the statement.
Tom Arnold tweeted: 'I miss what Joan Rivers would've said about Ray Rice today.'
Seth Rogen responded to Monday's video by questioning the actions of NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2747891/Shocking-new-video-shows-Ravens-star-Ray-Rice-punching-fianc-e-face-Atlantic-City-elevator-received-just-two-game-suspension.html#ixzz3CodLChoM
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