The Video That Killed The Football Star

Right on the heels of the Raven's disappointing loss in their season opener yesterday, fans were greeted with the newly leaked video of Ray Rice knocking his girlfriend unconscious inside of a casino elevator. This new video has been making it's rounds through the media networks all day and has left Ravens fans feeling betrayed.

When we first learned of Rice's infamous incident, many fans were reluctant to judge the "anti-bullying" advocate until they saw the whole picture. Well. they have now been presented with the whole picture and it's caused quite a stir on the social media sites. From the things that I've read today, Ray Rice's name is now mud. Even seasoned excuse-makers are having a hard time defending Rice after this...

It's easy to overlook a lot of things. However, the image of a man, especially a man that plays professional football, knocking a woman unconscious is something that sticks with you for a while. And although there's no other photographic evidence (that we know of), many believe that Rice is no rookie when it comes to beating on girls. The casual way that he pulls his finance's limp body out of the elevator doesn't help this perception. It was a sick image that will likely follow Rice for the rest of his life.

(On a side note, I can't help but think, "How stupid was Ray Rice?" He was in a casino where every square inch is under video surveillance. Did he actually think that he would get away with this. That's the problem, he didn't think at all...)

As the negative reactions reached a boiling point this afternoon, the Ravens officially announced that they were parting ways with their troubled running back. Ray Rice has officially left the building (or at least M&T Stadium). His future, at this point, is uncertain. Will another NFL gamble on him and give him a second chance sometime down the road? I don't know, maybe. But for the time being, Rice is a definitely a four-letter word around the NFL.

Compounding things for Rice, the NFL announced that they were suspending him indefinitely. This comes after they initially suspended him for two games. And the NFL recently announced that any future wife-beatings would result in a six-game suspension for the first offense and a life-time ban for any additional incidents. The NFL has been heavily criticized for the original two-game suspension which most people viewed as a slap on the wrist. So, when the video surfaced today, they were almost forced to react quickly and more harshly.

I know there will be a few who will defend Rice in some twisted way. To those people, let me ask you this...If that were your sister or daughter on the receiving end of that uppercut, would you still feel the same way? Sorry folks, there's no defending this one.

So, kids let this be a lesson on how quickly your life can change by one stupid decision. In a flash, Ray Rice went from the playful, fun-loving guy who was active in the community to the banished poster boy of domestic violence. Most of the people who once proudly wore his jersey to Ravens games will now be using those jerseys for port-o-pot doormats at the next tailgating party.

It's definitely been an eventful day for Ravens fans. And for all the wrong reasons.....

kw