The security tape footage is from an elevator in an Atlantic City casino back in February. Palmer is seen approaching Rice in the elevator, just before he delivers a knockout punch to her face. Her head slams into the elevator wall before she falls to the floor. Rice is seen bending down, trying to pick her up, but she remains unresponsive.
Once the elevator door opens, a man approaches the couple, clearly concerned about the woman, who is lying face down in the elevator. Rice drags her body out of the elevator, attempting to wake her and bring her to her feet.
The footage is disturbing, disgusting and paints a picture of a man, who is nothing short of an abusive coward.
This is a man who is paid millions of dollars a year to play football; a man who is seen on a television screen by millions each week during football season; a man who with all the speed, strength and agility of a professional athlete, hit a woman so hard, she lost consciousness.
It’s a clear picture of domestic violence against women, and it’s horrifying.
After the incident, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell slapped Rice with a two-game suspension (today, months later, that became an indefinite suspension, and the Ravens sacked him).
In response to the public scrutiny, Goodall instated a new domestic abuse policy, where a first-time offender gets a six-game suspension and a second offence could lead to a lifetime ban. Why is it that a woman needs to be hit twice before the NFL is willing to properly punish the player responsible?
www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbwTMJroTbI
Professional athletes are pillars of their respective communities. They are heroes in the eyes of boys and girls. They’re expected to conduct themselves in a manner that positively represents the fans, the franchise and community.
So, how is it that the NFL and the Ravens can sit by and allow someone who is a poor role model, actively tarnishing the Baltimore name, to remain a member of its organisation?
Sure, Rice and his wife previously held a press conference to discuss the incident and assured the public that Rice was sorry for his actions. Now that the footage of the assault is out there for public consumption, however, I can’t imagine many people will care what Rice had to say at said press conference.
I’m a woman, and I love football. Yes, it’s a violent sport by nature; I understand that. However, the nature of the sport is no excuse to allow violent people get away with physical abuse off the field.
Shame on you for allowing men like Ray Rice to continue to represent your organisation.
