Former Ravens running back Ray Rice returned to the Under Armour Performance Center Wednesday, this time in an advisory role.
The team brings in speakers from all walks of life and experiences to educate their new, young players. Who better to speak to the potential peaks and valleys of an NFL career – and life?
"Our 27 sessions to our rookies, through our player engagement program, review and teach life management and life lessons,” the team said in a statement.
“Ray Rice, who played for the Ravens from 2008 until 2014, delivered an important message that included his story, both the good and the bad. He clearly had the attention of our rookies.”
Rice was beloved by his teammates and the Baltimore community during his time with the Ravens. On Feb. 15, 2014, he made a terrible mistake, knocking out his then fiancée and now wife, Janay, in a casino elevator.
Rice was suspended and released by the Ravens. He has, in many ways, become the face of domestic violence. He hasn’t played a down of football since and his football career is unofficially over.
After the incident happened, the Ravens dedicated themselves to the cause of domestic violence awareness and education.
Owner Steve Biscoitti has since told his executives that the team should not add any players with a history of domestic violence. The team announced a partnership with the House of Ruth Maryland and One Love Foundation, including a $600,000 donation over three years. The Ravens also partnered with The One Love Foundation, helping roll out a film to educate Maryland high school and college students about relationship violence. The entire organization has received domestic violence training and continues to be educated on the societal problem.
In a letter to Ravens fans on Sept. 9, 2014, Bisciotti said, “We hope that Ray will continue to work to be the best husband, father and person he can be, and he will turn this awful situation into something positive. We also have learned a great deal and will continue to strive to be an organization and team you and Baltimore will be proud of.”
Ray and Janay have one daughter, Rayven, and a second child on the way.
