Merged: Ray Rice Released and Suspended

[redrum52]

http://deadspin.com/espn-casino-employee-gave-ray-rice-tape-to-nfl-securit-1637084054

ESPN now saying that the Ravens did not see the security tape from inside the elevator before it was published by TMZ.

NFL probably said we'll move the MNF games to another channel if ESPN don't get their mind right.

[gabefergy]

I see what you mean, but the Ravens were in a position of authority here. They had knowledge of what happened and were not just willfully ignorant of the role Rice played in knocking out Janay, but they tried to play it down to the NFL and to the fans.

The fans are obviously at fault for turning a blind eye to what happened and some are still doing it, but we were not privy to some of the things that the Ravens FO was. That doesn't make it OK, in any sense, but I do feel like the Ravens tried to pull one over us.

I was willing to believe what Ozzie said about maybe there being more to what happened than what it appeared was likely. I was willfully ignorant because I wanted to believe that Rice wouldn't just cold-clock his fiance.

However, the Ravens knew all along that was exactly what happened and still somehow only cared about how they could get off with the least possible repercussions to their star player. They purposefully deceived everyone, and tried to hide the full extent of what Rice did.

[gabefergy]

This case isn't even about domestic violence anymore, otherwise all of the outrage would be directed at the DA. Hence why I do not care anymore.

Of course it's about DV. To say otherwise is foolish.

[BirdWatcher]

https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.forbes.com/sites/mikeozanian/2014/09/20/the-baltimore-ravens-may-become-the-nfls-los-angeles-clippers/&sa=U&ei=6uUdVM-QO8eRyATuq4HYCw&ved=0CBAQqQIwAA&sig2=YYWnhiM1GqUX3_5Y9Rmp0A&usg=AFQjCNELdWIduDe-qR0UKZQvdS4YQJ1iSg

It just keeps getting better!

Could Bisciotti be forced to sell the team??

No.

[ratedr]

Of course it's about DV. To say otherwise is foolish.

It's absolutely not, otherwise ESPN wouldn't blast Rice in one segment then promote Mayweather's fight in another. This is about trying to play a gotcha game to see how many heads the media can get to roll. If the press cares so much about domestic violence, why is the media completely ignoring the FEDERAL JUDGE who pled guilty who was accepted into a diversion program and will eventually have his record expunged? Why is NOW silent on that? Why is Marco Rubio blasting Rice and condemning DV when he voted against the Violence Against Women Act?

The fact is that the media needs new headlines, and all these outside parties---politicians, non-profits, etc are piggybacking to show how "moral" they are and to bolster donations. Domestic violence is not solely an NFL problem in any case, but it makes the sanctimonious social media mob feel better to pretend that it is.

[ratedr]

Bisciotti and Sterling aren't comparable. Sterling had the support of NOBODY. Highly doubt people within the organization want Bisciotti to sell. Only the media wants it.

[gabefergy]

It's absolutely not, otherwise ESPN wouldn't blast Rice in one segment then promote Mayweather's fight in another. This is about trying to play a gotcha game to see how many heads the media can get to roll. If the press cares so much about domestic violence, why is the media completely ignoring the FEDERAL JUDGE who pled guilty who was accepted into a diversion program and will eventually have his record expunged? Why is NOW silent on that? Why is Marco Rubio blasting Rice and condemning DV when he voted against the Violence Against Women Act?

The fact is that the media needs new headlines, and all these outside parties---politicians, non-profits, etc are piggybacking to show how "moral" they are and to bolster donations. Domestic violence is not solely an NFL problem in any case, but it makes the sanctimonious social media mob feel better to pretend that it is.

You can think whatever you like to feel better about it. I could care less about ESPN or their coverage of the matter. What matter's to me is that the Ravens don't care about DV and are willing to lie to the public for their bottomline.

[ratedr]

You can think whatever you like to feel better about it. I could care less about ESPN or their coverage of the matter. What matter's to me is that the Ravens don't care about DV and are willing to lie to the public for their bottomline.

I was never under the impression that the Ravens/NFL cared, so perhaps I'm not as bothered. It's disappointing and embarrassing obviously, but I'm not sure why I should expect the NFL to pick up the slack for the legal system.

In the end I'm too committed to the team to stop being a fan.

[The Raven]

Ya know... I was in the cut Rice team all along but I don't really see how not punishing him means you don't care about DV. Punishing one person for DV doesn't fix DV, so why does not punishing mean you don't care about DV?

 

What does make a difference is a partnership with the House of Ruth. Regardless of whether it was PR or activism that brought the partnership, it's a good thing our team is doing.

[ratedr]

That said, the Ravens did not have to be so steadfast in their support of Rice. So stupid.

[ratedr]

Ya know... I was in the cut Rice team all along but I don't really see how not punishing him means you don't care about DV. Punishing one person for DV doesn't fix DV, so why does not punishing mean you don't care about DV?

What does make a difference is a partnership with the House of Ruth. Regardless of whether it was PR or activism that brought the partnership, it's a good thing our team is doing.

Exactly, people are just looking for one scapegoat to make the face of indifference with respect to DV. Say Bisciotti sells the team. What the heck does that have to do with helping battered women?

Until I see this type of outrage about all DV incidents I find it difficult to take seriously.

[gabefergy]

I was never under the impression that the Ravens/NFL cared, so perhaps I'm not as bothered. It's disappointing and embarrassing obviously, but I'm not sure why I should expect the NFL to pick up the slack for the legal system.

In the end I'm too committed to the team to stop being a fan.

I'm not going to stop being a fan either. I still love the team, including the players and the coach ( I think he has gotten a raw deal personally being thrown out there to handle the media).

I'm just very disappointed, and it will take me a while to come around on how the execs handled this situation. I think they should be held accountable, but that's just my opinion.

[The Raven]

Exactly, people are just looking for one scapegoat to make the face of indifference with respect to DV. Say Bisciotti sells the team. What the heck does that have to do with helping battered women?

Until I see this type of outrage about all DV incidents I find it difficult to take seriously.

 

It doesn't do a a damn thing. But hey, at least someone gets punished! That's all that matters, right?

[gabefergy]

Ya know... I was in the cut Rice team all along but I don't really see how not punishing him means you don't care about DV. Punishing one person for DV doesn't fix DV, so why does not punishing mean you don't care about DV?

What does make a difference is a partnership with the House of Ruth. Regardless of whether it was PR or activism that brought the partnership, it's a good thing our team is doing.

Because they knew all along what Rice did, and decided to not only keeep him on the team but campaign for the smallest suspension possible. To me that tell's me how much they care about DV. They only cared about the PR mess once the second video became public.

[The Mom Gene]

You can think whatever you like to feel better about it. I could care less about ESPN or their coverage of the matter. What matter's to me is that the Ravens don't care about DV and are willing to lie to the public for their bottomline.

ESPN has lost it's luster with the crap they have done lately, and for nothing more than ratings.  And they don't care who they destroy to get them either.  Who would ever compare this to Sterling...  Holy cow!  This whole mess yesterday and today is a fiasco.  Break a story and then retract the most important part of it....

 

Everyone needs to wait for the process to take it's course...  I mean,  Isn't there an investigation going on?  That will be the tell all...  not ESPN...

[ratedr]

I'm not going to stop being a fan either. I still love the team, including the players and the coach ( I think he has gotten a raw deal personally being thrown out there to handle the media).

I'm just very disappointed, and it will take me a while to come around on how the execs handled this situation. I think they should be held accountable, but that's just my opinion.

How do you suggest they are held accountable?

I just want the truth, but I'm not sure anyone deserves to lose their career over this, maybe except Byrne because that "I Like Ray Rice" article is still the worst thing I've ever read.

[The Mom Gene]

That said, the Ravens did not have to be so steadfast in their support of Rice. So stupid.

What team wouldn't have been?

What team hasn't since then?

Just curious....

[ravensdfan]

Right now the Ravens look like an organization that doesn't care one iota about Domestic Violence. If that is something that you feel comfortable with, then that is on you.

 

I disagree. They didn't see the 2nd video. Their belief of how things went down differed than what was seen in the video. Numerous times it was said (and even in the police report) that he hit her with his hand, not a fist. If I'm reading that, I'm thinking more a slap, not the punch we saw.

 

It's not like he was continually in trouble either. Unlike you and others, I think their policy to attempt to give him a second chance is admirable. Everyone is human and while you didn't knock anyone out, I'm sure you've made mistakes you've regretted and that probably wouldn't have been seen in a favorable light if they'd been broadcast for the world to view. I dont' see anything wrong with them making attempts to try to get him into a pretrial program. Nor trying to lessen the suspension based on the information they had at the time.

[gabefergy]

How do you suggest they are held accountable?

I just want the truth, but I'm not sure anyone deserves to lose their career over this, maybe except Byrne because that "I Like Ray Rice" article is still the worst thing I've ever read.

I think Byrne and Cass, who seemed to be the one making decisions about this whole thing would be handled, should resign. Ozzie apparently knew all along as well, so I think his retirement might be right around the corner.

[The Mom Gene]

How do you suggest they are held accountable?

I just want the truth, but I'm not sure anyone deserves to lose their career over this, maybe except Byrne because that "I Like Ray Rice" article is still the worst thing I've ever read.

And I don't believe there was anything bad about him stating that he liked Ray Rice...  He has always been a likeable player... has been a stand up community supporter and stellar player his entire career.  He's never had any issues.  ever. 

[ratedr]

And I don't believe there was anything bad about him stating that he liked Ray Rice... He has always been a likeable player... has been a stand up community supporter and stellar player his entire career. He's never had any issues. ever.

It was not an appropriate thing to write given the information that was available. He knocked out his wife? "I Like Ray Rice." So dumb.

[gabefergy]

I disagree. They didn't see the 2nd video. Their belief of how things went down differed than what was seen in the video. Numerous times it was said (and even in the police report) that he hit her with his hand, not a fist. If I'm reading that, I'm thinking more a slap, not the punch we saw.

It's not like he was continually in trouble either. Unlike you and others, I think their policy to attempt to give him a second chance is admirable. Everyone is human and while you didn't knock anyone out, I'm sure you've made mistakes you've regretted and that probably wouldn't have been seen in a favorable light if they'd been broadcast for the world to view. I dont' see anything wrong with them making attempts to try to get him into a pretrial program. Nor trying to lessen the suspension based on the information they had at the time.

Even if they didn't see it (which they could have if they wanted to) the details were described in full to them. Even Ozzie said that what came out on the video was exactly how it was described. I don't see how there is any difference between seeing it and having it described in detail. There was no empty slap, and even if that's what they were told does that make it more OK? He knocked her over with one blow for crying out loud. Does it really matter if it was an empty or closed fist?

[ratedr]

I think Byrne and Cass, who seemed to be the one making decisions about this whole thing would be handled, should resign. Ozzie apparently knew all along as well, so I think his retirement might be right around the corner.

Ozzie will leave if he wants, as it should be. I don't think he should be forced.

[ravensdfan]

Even if they didn't see it (which they could have if they wanted to) the details were described in full to them. Even Ozzie said that what came out on the video was exactly how it was described. I don't see how there is any difference between seeing it and having it described in detail. There was no empty slap, and even if that's what they were told does that make it more OK? He knocked her over with one blow for crying out loud. Does it really matter if it was an empty or closed fist?

And others stated differently. That what was described to them was not the same on the video. Ozzie is a stand up guy, I can see him saying that even if it wasn't the case before painting Ray Rice and his wife as liars.

 

Again with the "anonymous" sources and claiming it as fact with it being described to them in detail. There is nothing to collaborate that claim at all.

[gabefergy]

Ozzie will leave if he wants, as it should be. I don't think he should be forced.

It's a strange situation when the people who are in charge are the ones in question. Steve isn't innocent in this either, but if anyone does end up taking the fall you have to believe it came from him, which isn't right either. I just think the whole situation is awful. It will surprise me if there aren't resignations though. I guess we will see.

[Moderator 2]

The only people that care about a dude roughing up his GF/wife/Bf are the ones touched by it and their family's /friends/friends of friends. As a nurse, I thought it was really cool the NFL last year started running the PSA about a guy hitting a girl was wrong, after what I've seen in the ER the word had to get out. Heck my husband had to go to court because he broke up a neighbor beating up her boyfriend-- yes alcohol was involved.

This is not about DV , it's about who can dig up the most muck. TMZ vs ESPN vs NFLN, CBS, NBCand Fox sports did I miss any? Yes it shook up Gooddell, and as A female I knew the good ole boy network needed some estrogen after the idiotic purse policy 2 years ago, his wife must have hands the size of JO's or he was looking at what she took to a formal.

When the NFL is calling an epipen a weapon http://www.jems.com/video/news/bills-security-reportedly-call-epipen-we. Something needs to change.

Hold long did it take for child abuse to be something that was hush hush? That was 30 yrs or so ago. DV just got a kick start.

[ravensdfan]

Ozzie Newsome said it himself.

 

No he did not say any such thing. He never said it was described to them in detail at all. I already addressed what he did say, which the alternative was to say that Rice and Janay were both liars.

 

When your entire premise for condemning the entire organization is that it was described to them in detail and they knew exactly what happened all along, maybe you better make sure that actually happened before passing judgement.

[ratedr]

It's a strange situation when the people who are in charge are the ones in question. Steve isn't innocent in this either, but if anyone does end up taking the fall you have to believe it came from him, which isn't right either. I just think the whole situation is awful. It will surprise me if there aren't resignations though. I guess we will see.

I do see some resignations, but I doubt anything happens to Bisciotti. With Sterling, you had a coach threatening to quit and players---on the Clippers AND other teams---saying they would boycott. I've seen nothing yet to suggest that Bisciotti has lost support from within the organization. The only people calling for him to sell are media loudmouths like Olbermann and the social media mob. But that's not enough.

[gabefergy]

Ozzie:  "You know, Ray had given a story to John [Harbaugh] and I," Newsome said. "And what we saw on the video was what Ray said. Ray didn't lie to me."

 

They knew exactly what happened from the beginning. If you refuse to believe that the Ravens weren't given a full description of the video from other sources, so be it. You  can beleive whatever you want, but they knew exactly what happened because Ray told them exactly what happened, yet they still chose to go down the path they did. I don't see how that is acceptable.

[Moderator 2]

What is a troll?

A `troll' is an individual who enjoys creating conflict on the internet. He or she creates and fuels arguments which upset other members of the online community.

Trolls thrive in the anonymous space that is the internet. Trolls crave attention from others, and they don't care whether the attention is positive or negative. For trolls, other users are not quite real people; they are abstract characters on the other side of a computer screen. Trolls don't feel bad about hurting the feelings of other people in the digital space. please stop trolling