When TMZ released the video of Ray Race beating his now wife Janay Rice early Monday morning, those of us who were awake at the time knew full well the firestorm that it would bring when folks woke up a few hours later.
And that it did. Here are some social media responses to the disturbing video. You can’t tell this one scribe that the league offices in New York City and Roger Goodell himself won’t be paying attention here.
Former NFL linebacker Scott Fujita, who played 11 years in the NFL and against Rice at times, had the hottest take.
I'm glad no one this morning seems to care about yesterday's games. This piece of shit needs to be out of the league. Period.
— Scott Fujita (@sfujita55) September 8, 2014
ESPN’s Adam Schefter is usually reserved with his opinions, instead solely focusing on bringing us the latest news of the day. This wasn’t the case on Monday morning.
The elevator knockout punch from Ray Rice is beyond disturbing and stomach turning.http://t.co/Ok0jmK6wUW
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 8, 2014
Fox Sports insider Jay Glazer, who is known to chum it up with professional athletes at times, took the criticism and potential NFL response one step further.
I am never speechless. That ray rice video… beyond words. Ban him now! …
— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) September 8, 2014
If you play a violent sport & are violent toward a woman ur right to play that sport should be taken away.
— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) September 8, 2014
Plus his callous disregard for her well being after she was KO'd is equally as disturbing. Absolutely disgraceful
— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) September 8, 2014
Former NFL player LeCharles Bentley, who also suited up against Rice, followed Fujita in line with some strong comments of his own.
NFL players want to stand up for some shat, don't play against Ravens until Rice is suspended indefinitely. What if that was YOUR daughter?
— LeCharles Bentley (@64AMDG) September 8, 2014
2 games?!?! His ass needs to be in jail. I don't smoke weed but I'd rather have a weed head on my team than a Ray Rice. #Coward
— LeCharles Bentley (@64AMDG) September 8, 2014
This reaction is pretty much a common theme right now. Shock and anger bottled up on social media will tend to create like responses. And we really shouldn’t blame Bentley for it.
Some other high-profile individuals took to Twitter to air their thoughts. And the results weren’t much different than what you read above.
The Ray Rice video was both disturbing and disgusting. I think the league and Ravens need to revisit the punishment in this particular case.
— Rich Gannon (@RichGannon12) September 8, 2014
In case you're just joining us…@nfl @nflcommish @Ravens #2games http://t.co/aPWosNNYnG
— Michelle Beadle (@MichelleDBeadle) September 8, 2014
The disgust needs to be directed at @Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti. Bisciotti can cut or further suspend Ray Rice right now. It's his team.
— Newy Scruggs (@newyscruggs) September 8, 2014
Its disgusting. RT @HerveyMaloneII: Very disturbed at new Ray Rice video. Thoughts @kirkmorrison?
— Kirk Morrison (@kirkmorrison) September 8, 2014
Ray Rice's two-game ban looks like a sick joke in wake of damning video (@Rosenberg_Mike)http://t.co/EEP3Hlq8AO pic.twitter.com/7RSLUZqqiI
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) September 8, 2014
https://twitter.com/MrKnighton2u/status/508993755525808128
https://twitter.com/MrKnighton2u/status/508990218243170304
Even under new domestic violence policy, six games would not be enough for what Ray Rice did. Do the right thing, Ravens. Release him.
— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) September 8, 2014
SHAME on the #NFL for not gathering ALL the evidence so they could get the Ray Rice decision right. Would've taken then one view to ban him
— Anthony Becht (@Anthony_Becht) September 8, 2014
The NFL is claiming that this video wasn’t made available during its investigation of the Rice situation. Two things come to mind there.
1. Now that the league has “now” seen it, does this change anything?
2. How in the world can the NFL conclude its investigation knowing a video existed and not being allowed to see said video? That’s not normally how it works. Call me skeptical of this.
NFL players can be released for pretty much any reason. It really is no-fault employment. While the NFLPA does get involved and investigate specific situations (see DeSean Jackson), it’s highly unlikely that DeMaurice Smith and Co. would go out on a limb for Rice after now that this video is public. This is magnified by the fact that Rice accepted responsibility, had his day in court and is on video beating his now wife.
That’s something the Ravens and general manager Ozzie Newsome may have to do at some point in the not-so-distant future. After all, their initial response to the crime was less than stellar.
As it relates to the NFL, we already know it has a PR problem, especially when it comes to its handling of this situation prior to the release of the video. If nothing else, Roger Goodell and Co. may be forced to act because of how much they care about public perception. While it might not be a good overall look from the league, no one would argue with the end result.
Violence against women cannot be tolerated in a league that is violent in nature. That raises a ton of questions about the overall landscape of the league and those who participate in games on Sunday’s. As Fujita indicated, we aren’t talking about Week 1. Instead, this is headlining the new 24-hours news and social media cycle.
And then you have this.
Rice is slated to return against the Cleveland Browns in Week 3. Outside of the reaction he is going to get from fans in Cleveland, it wouldn’t be surprising to see an extra effort from Browns players to physically show him what they think of the guy. That wouldn’t be a good look for the league.
While we are only hours removed from this video being released, initial reactions are an indication that the NFL needs to step up and do something here. Working in unison with the NFLPA, I firmly believe we will hear something from the league office in the coming days. As we should.
Photo: USA Today