This is stuff that you simply can’t make up. On the heels of everything that has happened over the past few days, several Baltimore Ravens players apparently dedicated their Thursday night victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers to former teammate Ray Rice.
The win over the Steelers was dedicated to Rice several Ravens told me afterward. “Ray is still a great guy,” receiver Torrey Smith said…
— Ray Fittipaldo (@rayfitt1) September 12, 2014
And the seemingly high praise for a man that was seen on video knocking his then-fiancee out cold in an elevator didn’t stop there.
Torrey Smith continued: “He’s a model man. He made a huge mistake, but he’s still a great person.”
— Ray Fittipaldo (@rayfitt1) September 12, 2014
“A model man” doesn’t beat up on his loved on, drag her unconscious body a few feet and drop her on the floor again like she’s nothing more than a slab of meat. But hey, this didn’t stop more Ravens players from expressing their admiration for the outstanding man that they view Rice to be.
I asked Jacoby Jones why the game was dedicated to Rice. "We know what time it is in this circle. Ray is our brother. We pray for him."
— Ray Fittipaldo (@rayfitt1) September 12, 2014
Ravens LB Terrell Suggs: "It was a very emotional game. He's done a lot for this city. We love our brother."
— Ray Fittipaldo (@rayfitt1) September 12, 2014
If we were looking for a new villain in what has become a national nightmare, the Ravens may have provided that tonight.
Based on these comments, you wouldn’t have thought that Rice was banned from the NFL indefinitely or that he is at the center of a scandal that could potentially create a long-lasting impact on both the future of the National Football League and those afflicted by domestic violence.
Apparently Ravens fans weren’t the only one’s wearing Rice jerseys tonight.
Good for you, Baltimore. Good for you.
Photo: Ravens.com