Ravens Release Ray Rice

Dec 29, 2013; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice (27) runs for a two point conversion during the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

After a morning of social media disgust, articles blasting the NFL and Ravens, and a new video surfacing showing Ray Rice’s domestic assault on his Fiancée, the Baltimore Ravens have released running back Ray Rice.

The #Ravens have terminated RB Ray Rice’s contract this afternoon.

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 8, 2014

Ray Rice was suspended 2 games by the league earlier this year when the report surfaced that he was seen dragging his fiancée through the hotel lobby after she had been deemed unconscious. A new video surfaced early Monday morning that showed the whole scene and sports media, news media, and social media exploded with an outcry of what Rice actually did, since the video had yet to surface of the full incident.

The incident happened at a hotel and casino in Atlantic City, NJ, only a couple hour drive from Baltimore, MD. The NFL had originally handed down a controversial 2 game suspension, as many expected something much harsher. The news of the Baltimore Ravens handing down their own punishment was long awaited and terminating Rice from the team to be met with feelings of “it’s about time.”

Ray Rice will now be an unrestricted free agent that is up for grabs, he will be required to serve his second game suspension and any more that could surface from the release of the new video. The league is still trying to clean up the public relations nightmare from the first time this story came about. The Ravens could turn around and press for a breach of contract and avoid paying out any money still due to Rice if they choose to do so.

Any way you look at this saga, I don’t think this will be the last time you hear from Ray Rice in the NFL. There will be at least one team desperate for a running back. One thing we do know, the Bengals won’t have to face him twice a year, pending he doesn’t sign with the Browns or Steelers.

UPDATE: 4:45pm 9/8/2014: Ray Rice Suspended Indefinitely by NFL