Ray Rice was honored on Sunday by the Baltimore Ravens, the former NFL running back being brought back to the organization after a decade away from the team. A former Rutgers football running back, Rice is one of the most successful players from the program to find sustained success in the NFL.
During his six years in the NFL, the hard-running, physical back had 6,180 rushing yards and 37 touchdowns. Three times he was selected to the Pro Bowl.
In 2014, Rice was the center of a domestic violence video that saw him hit his wife and drag her body off an elevator. He was suspended indefinitely by the NFL, released by the Ravens and never played another snap in the league.
The moment clouded his legacy and certainly saw to ending his career in the NFL.
But Rice has turned into an outspoken advocate against domestic violence, openly talking about how the moment changed him into a different man as a husband and a father.
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On Sunday, the Ravens honored Rice as a ‘Legend of the Game.’ He was greeted by the crowd in Baltimore with no hint of the controversy that surrounded the end of his career:
Ray Rice receives a loud applause at M&T Bank Stadium, where he is honored as a “Ravens Legend of the Game.” pic.twitter.com/EVDwmslZcR
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) December 31, 2023
Beginning in 2005, Rice spent three tremendous years at Rutgers. His growth and development saw him spearhead a Rutgers offense that led the Scarlet Knights to bowl game wins in 2006 and 2007.
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He is the all-time leading rusher (4,926 rushing yards) in program history, as well as holding the record for most rushing touchdowns (49) at Rutgers.