Ray Rice, with his wife Janay Palmer, is eligible to be immediately signed by any NFL team. (Andrew Burton, Getty Images)
Ray Rice is officially a free agent.
The former Ravens running back who was suspended indefinitely after two videos surfaced of him assaulting his now wife in an Atlantic City casino elevator earlier this year has and is eligible to immediately sign with any NFL team.
His legal victory was somewhat expected; he had a legitimate case against the NFL after it changed the terms of his suspension. But the notion of a domestic violence offender getting a second chance certainly won’t sit well with many. And commissioner Roger Goodell, who has already taken considerable heat for his actions (or lack thereof) in the Rice case is bound to face even more criticism after Rice’s win.
As the world awaits to see which team, if any, decides to sign Rice, here’s a look at the mixed reactions from past and present NFL players, members of the media and others to Rice’s reinstatement.
Second chances are only as good as you make them….my boy will do the right things
— Torrey Smith (@TorreySmithWR)
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So the judge ruled that Ray Rice didn’t lie in June. Here was Goodell’s CBS interview on Sept. 10. Read carefully.
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons)
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Remember folks, it’s entirely okay to be glad Ray Rice won his appeal as a union/labor issue while still condemning the act itself.
— Chris Kluwe (@ChrisWarcraft)
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It’s official: NFL Commish Goodell is the worst. Everything he touches – SpyGate, BountyGate n Ray Rice – blows up in his face
— Rob Parker (@RobParkerLocal4)
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Wacky how the voiding of Ray Rice’s suspension wasn’t announced until after T-giving slate of games. How fortuitous!
— Dave Zirin (@EdgeofSports)
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Tell me again how our culture doesn’t enable violence against women
— Jessica Valenti (@JessicaValenti)
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No surprise on the Ray Rice news today.. The surprise will be the owner that will decide to sign him..
— Kevin Negandhi (@KNegandhiESPN)
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That independent investigation by Robert Mueller just got a lot more interesting.
— Bruce Arthur (@bruce_arthur)
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Talent + team need = 2nd chance. Rice’s skills were declining b4 he KO’d Janay. Also, this decision will be made by owner, not coach or GM.
— Jim Trotter (@JimTrotter_NFL)
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